REIGNING MUNSTER SENIOR hurling champions Cork will begin their 2018 campaign with a pre-season clash in the province in late December.

The Rebels are one of four counties who will feature in the 2018 Co-Op Superstores Munster hurling league which will commence on Saturday 30 December.

The start date has been brought forward due to the Allianz hurling league beginning on an earlier date in 2018 at the end of January.

The opening fixtures see new Cork boss John Meyler take his side into action against Limerick, while Clare will entertain Kerry.

All-Ireland finalists Waterford and 2016 All-Ireland champions Tipperary both opted not to compete in the pre-season action in Munster.

The Round 2 fixtures are pencilled in for 7 January, the Round 3 fixtures will be held on 14 January and the final is slated for 21 January.

Cork defeated Limerick in last year’s Munster league decider at the Gaelic Grounds thanks to a late goal from Alan Cadogan.

The full list of fixtures are:

Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League 2018 Fixtures

Round 1 – Saturday 30 December
Clare v Kerry, Cusack Park, Ennis
Cork v Limerick, Mallow

Round 2 – Sunday 7 January
Limerick v Kerry, Gaelic Grounds
Clare v Cork, Cusack Park, Ennis

Round 3 – Sunday 14 January
Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds
Kerry v Cork, Austin Stack Park, Tralee

Final – Sunday 21 January
Top two teams as determined by the tie-breaker formula

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