Tipperary handed mouth-watering opening fixture as 2027 National Hurling League schedule emerges
The Premier County are poised to welcome their Munster rivals in late January as provisional fixtures for next year's National Hurling League emerge
Tipperary are set to begin their 2027 National Hurling League campaign with a mouth-watering home clash against Cork, according to provisional fixtures circulated to counties by the GAA this week.
The Premier County are scheduled to welcome their Munster rivals on the weekend of January 23/24, with the fixture providing an early opportunity for both sides to lay down a marker ahead of another highly competitive season.
The meeting is one of the standout ties of the opening weekend, with Tipperary and Cork set to renew their rivalry early into the new year.
The provisional Division 1A schedule will also see reigning All-Ireland and National League champions Limerick travel to Kilkenny for what promises to be another intriguing encounter.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted Dublin and Clare will face off in the capital, while Galway, who were crowned Leinster champions earlier this year, have a bye in the opening round.
Cork are scheduled to host Limerick at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, February 20, while Limerick will travel to Salthill eight days later to face Galway in a repeat of the 2026 All-Ireland senior hurling final.
For Tipperary, the opening encounter against Cork should provide an immediate indication of where the Premier County stand as preparations begin in earnest for the championship campaign later in the spring.
The fixtures have yet to be officially confirmed, however, with the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee having issued the draft schedule to counties for consideration.
Counties have been invited to submit feedback and propose any necessary alterations before the final dates and arrangements are confirmed as part of the GAA's master fixtures list.