Cork

Manager: Tom Cashman

Last year: P6 W3 L3.

Significant departures: None.

Arrivals: None.

League ambitions: Tom Cashman - "We would like to win as many games as possible and would also like to see a number of players pushing for championship starts."

On the NHL starting a month earlier. "We are very fortunate in that we agreed to Kilkenny's request for a postponement of the first game and aren't out for another fortnight. We are glad of the extra few weeks training." On reverting to a pre-Christmas start: "Most people are happy to see the league run off over the one calendar year."

Will the HDC championship format affect the NHL? "Championship is the summit of all team's ambitions and, like most teams, Cork has used the league to build a team for that in the past, while at the same time recognising the importance of the league. I don't know if that would change much."

Derry

Manager: Kevin McNaughton

Last year: P6 W0 L6.

Significant departures: Declan Cassidy, Niall Mullen, Geoffrey McGonigle.

Arrivals: Fergal Daly, Raymond Kennedy.

League ambitions: To consolidate Division One status.

On NHL starting a month earlier: "I don't think it's a good thing, it was early enough this year and the state of grounds is bound to be even worse as this year's competition goes on."

On reverting to a pre-Christmas start: "It would be preferable to the current position, but ideally I think the league should be run later in the year."

Will the HDC championship format affect the NHL? "I don't think it would matter to us. Division One hurling is imperative to us in terms of developing players and confidence. I think that showed a little bit last year. Now, we aren't going to win, but we are intent on doing as well as we can."

Kilkenny

Manager: Brian Cody

Last year: P6 W4 L2.

Significant departures: In the long term, none. Brian McEvoy and Andy Comerford are currently out of action after operations.

Arrivals: Derek Lyng, Jimmy Coogan.

League ambitions: Pat Dunphy (hurling secretary) - "The ambition is always to win. Every game is important because success brings confidence."

On the NHL starting a month earlier: "The general view is that the league is starting too early. A lot of teams will know their fate by the middle of February."

On reverting to a pre-Christmas start: "There is no guarantee that you will get the weather in November either."

Will the HDC championship format affect the NHL? "From our point of view, it was important to get a break after winning the All-Ireland. If the league is brought forward even more then it's hard to see where some players will get a break."

Laois

Manager: Sean Cuddy

Last year: P6 W1 L5.

Significant departures: None.

Arrivals: Sean Cudddy - "We do have a number of minors and U-21s due to join us, but we are reluctant to have them along until the ground firms up a bit."

League ambitions: "To compete as well as we can and to take a few games along the way."

On the NHL starting a month earlier: "I can see it leading to problems. The ground isn't too bad at present, but there will be a lot of wet days ahead and all it will take is a few postponements in order for a fixtures congestion to arise."

On reverting to a pre-Christmas start: "I believe it will have to happen. Those months aren't ideal either, but the weather can be half-decent."

Will the HDC championship format affect the NHL? "It's really hard to say, I really think it's a matter of waiting and see what will happen."

Tipperary

Manager: Nicky English

Last year: Beaten finalists

Significant departures: Michael Ryan. Arrivals: Dermot Gleeson, Larry Corbett, Terry Dunne. League ambitions: Nicky English - "As it starts early, I think it is important for us to be hurling in the latter stages. If you don't make the play-offs, there is an eight week lay-off before the championship."

On NHL starting a month earlier. "It's very wrong. Paying customers know that teams have just begun training and that they won't be fully fit."

On reverting to a pre- Christmas start: "I don't think there was much wrong with last year - the league came close to the championship, most of the games were competitive."

Will the HDC championship format affect the NHL? "I haven't really thought of it in that context. We have always thought of the league as a preparation and it varies according to when the championship starts."

Waterford

Manager: Gerald McCarthy Last year: P6 W5 L1, beaten semi-finalists. Significant departures: Michael White, Anthony Kirwan. Arrivals: Sean Prendergast, Owen Kelly, Victor O'Shea, Eoin Mullen. League ambitions: "To win the competition." On NHL starting a month earlier: "I don't think it's a good thing. Hurling is a summer game and for players to be condemned to play on pitches at this time of year is a bit ludicrous." On reverting to pre- Christmas start: "I think that would be very disjointed. Hurling should be run off in a calendar year in order to give teams a realistic off-season."

Will the HDC championship format affect the NHL? "We haven't really thought about it. We are for the proposals and think they are a positive development. It won't alter our attitude to the league. We always want to win the league and make no secret of that."

Wexford

Manager: Tony Dempsey Last year: P6 W3 L3.

Significant departures: Tom Dempsey, Martin Storey. Arrivals: Barry Goff, Rory Stafford.

League ambitions: "In a nutshell, for all the players to play with pride every time out. If we do that, I'll be happy."

Views on NHL starting a month earlier: "I'm disappointed. More training time would be beneficial and it would be preferable to be playing when the ground is hard." On reverting to a pre- Christmas start: "They are going to have to devise a format whereby the league and championship are in some way linked. The season should be run off in one calendar year, so I wouldn't be in favour."

Will the HDC championship format affect the NHL? "The new system gives counties more games and lessens the league's importance in that sense. It's more beneficial to the stronger counties. An open draw would be an ideal situation."