The League opener against Clare has us all wondering

The GAA knew what it was doing when it pitted champions against champions for the throw-in to the 2014 Allianz National Hurling League.

Already the talk about the first round meeting between Clare (All-Ireland) and Kilkenny (National League) in Ennis on February 16 has aroused huge interest.

Kilkenny fans will be looking for signs that their favourites can be a force again this season. Ditto Clare, if for a very different reason!

The Division I hurling schedule is:

February 15 (Saturday), Round 1

Division IA

Semple Stadium, Thurles 7pm, Tipperary v Waterford

Division IB, Round I

Pairc Uí Rinn 7pm, Cork v Limerick

February 16 (Sunday), Round 1

Pearse Stadium 2pm, Galway v Dublin

Cusack Park, Ennis 2pm, Clare v Kilkenny

Ballycastle (TBC), 2pm, Antrim v Wexford

O’Connor Park, Tullamore 2pm, Offaly v Laois

February 22 (Saturday)

Division IB, Round 2

O’Moore Park, Portlaoise 7pm, Laois v Cork

February 23 (Sunday)

Division IA, Round 2

Parnell Park 2pm, Dublin v Clare

Nowlan Park 2pm, Kilkenny v Tipperary

Walsh Park 2pm, Waterford v Galway

Wexford Park 2pm, Wexford v Offaly

Gaelic Grounds 2pm, Limerick v Antrim

March 9 (Sunday)

Division IA, Round 3

Nowlan Park 2pm, Kilkenny v Galway.

Walsh Park 2.30pm, Waterford v Dublin.

Semple Stadium 2.30pm, Tipperary v Clare.

Division IB, Round 3

Pairc Ui Rinn 2.30pm, Cork v Offalhy.

O’Moore Park 2pm, Laois v Antrim

Gaelic Grounds 1.15pm, Limerick v Wexford.

March 15 (Saturday)

Division 1 A, Round 4

Parnell Park 7pm, Dublin v Kilkenny.

March 16 (Sunday)

Division 1A, Round 4

Pearse Stadium 2pm, Galway v Tipperary.

Cusack Park 2pm, Clare v Waterford.

Division IB, Round 4

Wexford Park 2.30pm, Wexford v Laois

Ballycastle (TBC), Antrim v Cork.

O’Connor Park 2pm, Offaly v Limerick.

March 23 (Sunday)

Division IA, Round 5

Nowlan Park 3pm, Kilkenny v Waterford

Nenagh (TBC) 3pm, Tipperary v Dublin.

Cusack Park 3pm, Clare v Galway.

Division IB, Round 5

O’Moore Park 3pm, Laois v Limerick.

Pairc Ui Rinn 3pm, Cork v Wexford.

O’Connor Park 3pm, Offaly v Antrim.

March 30 (Sunday)

Allianz HL Division I quarter-finals; 5th v 6th place play-offs (IA, IB and 2B).

April 13 (Sunday)

NHL promotion/relegation finals.

May 4 (Sunday)

NHL Division I final.