Joe Dooley has questioned why his newly-promoted Offaly side must play their opening two games in the National Hurling League away from home.
Joe Dooley has questioned why his newly-promoted Offaly side must play their opening two games in the National Hurling League away from home.
The Faithful County make the trip to Cork on February 21 and will then take to the pitch against reigning League and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at Nowlan Park a week later.
In contrast, troubled Limerick will play their first two games at the Gaelic Grounds, while the other six will have one 'home' and one 'away' over the first two weekends.
"It seems strange that any county would have two 'away' games in the first two rounds," the Offaly boss said. "I can't see why it would happen."
Looking ahead to the task facing Offaly when they square up to Kilkenny on February 28 Dooley added: "They have the whole set and they'll want to hold on to all of them - that's the way they do business in Kilkenny. We're really looking forward to giving our season a real kickstart against them."