Waterford manager Michael Ryan says teams must hit the ground running in this year's NHL.

With the number of counties in each division reduced by two, and the number of matches reduced accordingly, the Decies boss accepts that there will be no room for error.

He says in today's Irish Independent: "Under the old system there was seven games and it was possible to blood players. But now you're under pressure to win, so you'll find that counties are fielding their strongest teams on a regular basis.

"There'll probably be less room for experimentation and that's a pity in a way. What I would say about it is, by the time it's over, every one of the six managers in Division One will have a fair idea what talent they have available and where they stand with regard to their players.

"It will be a quick learning process. It is going to be difficult and at least one high-profile county is going to be relegated. That's the nature of it and the system is there. But we have no input into the system, so we just have to get on with it."

Ryan also pointed out that there was no change in the Eoin Kelly situation, adding that the ball is very much in the Passage player's territory but stressing that he needs to get fit if he wants to hurl for Waterford this season. Tweet

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