Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald watching last weekend's Walsh Cup Final.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group B
Saturday January 25
Laois v Wexford, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 7pm
Sunday January 26
Clare v Carlow, Cusack Park, 2pm
Kilkenny v Dublin, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm
By Cian O'Connell
Following the Joe McDonagh Cup and Dublin scalp glory of 2019, Laois' first League date of 2020 is a demanding test against Wexford.
Davy Fitzgerald's outfit enjoyed a most encouraging campaign themselves last year and are primed to be ready for this game.
Brendan Bugler's addition to the backroom team is interesting, while the return of the powerful Andrew Shore to the Wexford panel is a boost also.
Eddie Brennan's resourceful work with Laois was reflected throughout the summer, but they will be eager to take the next step now.
That can be a most difficult mission to accomplish, but during the past half dozen years Wexford have shown what can be achieved through smart planning.
In Ennis on Sunday afternoon Brian Lohan takes charge of Clare, who host Carlow.
Lohan, a totemic figure during the salad years of the Ger Loughnane era, proved to be a shrewd operator in the Fitzgibbon Cup, and will be anxious to improve Clare's fortunes.
Danny Sutcliffe will captain the Dublin hurlers in 2020.
Colm Bonnar has turned Carlow competitive and will want to maintain Division One status.
With DJ Carey installed as a selector, Brian Cody has freshened up the Kilkenny set-up also.
The trademark Kilkenny grit and determination was especially evident in stirring Championship successes over Cork and Limerick at Croke Park.
While Kilkenny are expected to be without the Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent for a couple of weeks they will continue to battle.
Delighted to earn a top three finish in the Leinster Championship Dublin were caught by Laois in the Championship.
Many lessons were learned on that sultry afternoon in Portlaoise.
Ultimately, though, Dublin took strides forward and Mattie Kenny will want to build on the solid foundation that has been established.
LAOIS (v Wexford): Enda Rowland; Liam Senior, Ryan Mullaney, Donncha Hartnett; Jack Kelly, Padraig Delaney, Ciaran McEvoy; Fiachra Fennell, Ciaran Comerford; Aaron Bergin, Paddy Purcell, James Ryan; Ross King, Willie Dunphy, Stephen Bergin.
WEXFORD (v Laois): Mark Fanning; Simon Donohoe, Liam Ryan, Joe O’Connor; Damien Reck, Shaun Murphy, Paudie Foley; Kevin Foley, Jack O’Connor; Cathal Dunbar, Rory O’Connor, Aidan Nolan; Aidan Rochford, Conor McDonald, Paul Morris.
KILKENNY (v Dublin): Eoin Murphy; Ciaran Wallace, Huw Lawlor, Conor Delaney; Michael Cody, Paddy Deegan, Michael Carey; Conor Fogarty, Alan Murphy; John Donnelly, Walter Walsh, Richie Leahy; Billy Ryan, Ger Aylward, Niall Brassil.
