ALL-IRELAND SHC
1 Galway
IF we learned anything in spring, it’s that we learned nothing at all. Missed out on promotion back to Division 1A, and their early performances ought to have indicated that Limerick might spring a surprise. Others – particularly Clare and Tipperary – have struggled in recent years to back up All-Ireland success and Michéal Donoghue must be wary of keeping the shoe off the pedal for too long. Should reach the Leinster final and the extra games in that series from here on will surely be beneficial to them in the long run. The gap to the chasing pack is narrow, though, and retaining their title will be a serious ask.
Leinster SHC: Offaly (A, May 12), Kilkenny (H, May 27), Wexford (A, June 2), Dublin (H, June 9)
Best provincial hope: Leinster champions
Best national hope: All-Ireland champions
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland semi-final
Key man: Joe Canning
2 Tipperary
IT wouldn’t be the first time people lost the run of themselves over the head of a league final, and Tipperary have better experience than any, having lost by 16 points to Galway last year. They returned to come out the wrong side of another one-point All-Ireland semi-final and it is their championship performances on which they deserve to be judged. Have definite issues in the full-back line and with their attacking style, both of which could curtail them, but they won’t be far away regardless.
Munster SHC: Limerick (A, May 20), Cork (H, May 27), Waterford (A, June 3), Clare (H, June 10)
Best provincial hope: Munster champions
Best national hope: All-Ireland champions
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland semi-final
Key man: Pádraic Maher
3 Waterford
THERE was no great surprise in their drop out of Division 1A in light of the ever-honest Derek McGrath’s appraisal before a ball was pucked. They, like Galway, have been easing their way back in after a long 2017 and they faced into the relegation playoff against Cork minus Austin and Conor Gleeson, and Kevin Moran. Little is likely to change about their style come summer, and it will remain a stick to beat them with. But it’s been effective in helping them climb the ladder. They were one step short last year but it’s hard to see where they can make up those last yards.
Munster SHC: Clare (A, May 27), Tipperary (H, June 3), Limerick (A, June 10), Cork (H, June 17)
Best provincial hope: Munster champions
Best national hope: All-Ireland final
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland quarter-final
Key man: Austin Gleeson
4 Kilkenny
THEY’RE back. Or are they? Were they ever away? And does winning a National League return them to the throne? Well, no. It was a magnificent display against Tipperary, one from which victory was truly merited, and their demise had always been truly exaggerated. Brian Cody has made grand alterations to their style and put together another solid spine, with Padraig Walsh and Cillian Buckley instrumental at the heart of the defence, and TJ Reid and Walter Walsh a frightening up front. So much around them hasn’t eaten off the championship hot-plate though. You feel they’ll be renewed for that league title, but a bit short of Liam McCarthy.
Leinster SHC: Dublin (A, May 13), Offaly (H, May 20), Galway (A, May 27), Wexford (H, June 9)
Best provincial hope: Leinster champions
Best national hope: All-Ireland final
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland quarter-final
Key man: TJ Reid
5 Cork
BEEN floating on the fringes of a sustained challenge over the last couple of years. Any team with Patrick Horgan in the form he’s displayed in recent years will be in with a chance, while in Darragh Fitzgibbon and Bill Cooper they have developed one of the best midfield partnerships in the game. They were too porous defensively during the league and equally didn’t create enough inside themselves, which led to them falling into a relegation playoff. Eoin Cadogan’s return at full-back is a major boost. Tim O’Mahony, Sean O’Donoghue and Robbie Flynn all got a good run in spring and could see some championship game time. Munster’s not beyond them but an All-Ireland probably is.
Munster SHC: Clare (H, May 20), Tipperary (A, May 27), Limerick (H, June 2), Waterford (A, June 17)
Best provincial hope: Munster final
Best national hope: All-Ireland final
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland quarter-final
Key man: Patrick Horgan
6 Clare
GIVEN their horrendous record in recent versions of the old Munster SHC, they might be happiest of all with the change of format if it will unburden them psychologically. They started the league flying but will be worried that, as others got stronger, they fell away. Tony Kelly looked well at himself at times and he took could be unburdened by Peter Duggan taking on the dead-ball responsibilities. Travel to Pairc Ui Chaoimh will be a good opening test of their attack and whether they’ve made the strides they need to in that department.
Munster SHC: Cork (A, May 20), Waterford (H, May 27), Tipperary (A, June 10), Limerick (H, June 17)
Best provincial hope: Munster final
Best national hope: All-Ireland semi-final
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland quarter-final
Key man: Tony Kelly
7 Wexford
THE momentum has not stagnated, with Wexford doing more than enough in their league campaign to suggest that they will continue clashing shoulders with the finest of hurling brethren. Davy Fitzgerald gave them a longer winter break in the hope of being fresher in summer, though he will have to be concerned by how they were brushed aside by Kilkenny in the semi-final. Rory O’Connor continues to develop as an attacking force and will be one to watch.
Leinster SHC: Dublin (H, May 20), Offaly (A, May 26), Galway (H, June 2), Kilkenny (A, June 9)
Best provincial hope: Leinster champions
Best national hope: All-Ireland finalists
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland quarter-final
Key man: Lee Chin
8 Limerick
ONE mammoth, manic Monday later and suddenly Limerick are back at the beating heart of it all, probably for the first time since that rain-lashed 2014 semi-final against Kilkenny. The Treaty men got the better of Clare after a game that took up half the Bank Holiday and was only settled on an historic free-taking competition. They’ve finally climbed out of 1B after eight years and reached a third consecutive league semi-final, only this time instead of the flat displays of ’16 and ’17, they took Tipperary to extra-time. How they manage the reintegration of the Na Piarsaigh crew will be crucial, but they are looking very much like they’re capable of a scalp or two.
Munster SHC: Tipperary (H, May 20), Cork (A, June 2), Waterford (H, June 10), Clare (A, June 17)
Best provincial hope: Group stage
Best national hope: All-Ireland final
Worst they’ll do: All-Ireland quarter-final
Key man: Aaron Gillane
9 Dublin
THERE was a very detectable fizzle around the appointment of Pat Gilroy, the man who had done so much to transform the county’s footballing fortunes, as the new hurling boss. But if sobering was needed, Offaly provided it in a 13-point win at Croke Park. Dublin have strengthened and improved a fair bit since then and briefly had Tipperary rattled by a brilliant start in the quarter-final. But there appear to be three obviously ahead of them in Leinster and it will take a surprise for them to get out of the group.
Leinster SHC: Kilkenny (H, May 13), Wexford (A, May 20), Offaly (H, June 3), Galway (A, June 9)
Best provincial hope: Third in group stage
Best national hope: All-Ireland semi-final
Worst they’ll do: Bottom of Leinster group
Key man: Danny Sutcliffe
10 Offaly
THEIR third-placed finish in Division 1B was their highest since 2013, and their performance against Kilkenny suggested that the mid-campaign reality checks didn’t hit them all that hard. Kevin Martin has them improving and starting to believe a bit, but championship is a different reality and they’ll most likely be looking just to avoid the wooden spoon and possible relegation. That would allow them to build again.
Leinster SHC: Galway (H, May 12), Kilkenny (A, May 20), Wexford (H, May 26), Dublin (A, June 3)
Best provincial hope: Third in group stage
Best national hope: All-Ireland quarter-final
Worst they’ll do: Bottom of Leinster group
Key man: Shane Dooley
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JOE McDONAGH CUP
11 Laois
PLAYING at the higher class during spring, and competing for the most part, gives Laois and Antrim a distinct advantage in the race for the inaugural McDonagh Cup. Ross King’s name would be much better known if they were ever once afforded live TV coverage. They’ll have their eyes firmly fixed on that Leinster round robin group for 2019.
Joe McDonagh Cup: Westmeath (H, May 5), Kerry (A, May 13), Antrim (A, May 20), Carlow (H, June 3), Meath (A, June 9)
Best hope: Champions
Worst they’ll do: Finalists
Key man: Ross King
12 Carlow
WINNERS of the last Christy Ring Cup in its old format, Carlow will have no fear of anyone around them. Their promotion back to Division 1B couldn’t be argued with and they will have the confidence that momentum brings. Martin Kavanagh and Chris Nolan are both going well in attack.
Joe McDonagh Cup: Kerry (H, May 5), Antrim (A, May 12), Meath (H, May 20), Laois (A, June 3), Westmeath (H, June 9)
Best hope: Champions
Worst they’ll do: Third
Key man: Martin Kavanagh
13 Antrim
THE Saffrons have definitely improved since the four-man management team came on board in the middle of last year, but their relegation back to Division 2A was a bitter pill. They were bested by Laois twice in the league but having them, Carlow and Kerry all at home opens up a great opportunity to reach the decider. If they can get gametime into Ciaran Clarke it would make a huge difference to their attacking arsenal.
Joe McDonagh Cup: Meath (A, May 5), Carlow (H, May 12), Laois (H, May 20), Westmeath (A, June 3), Kerry (H, June 9)
Best hope: Champions
Worst they’ll do: Fourth
Key man: Neil McManus
14 Westmeath
TOPPED 2A with five wins from five but were then decidedly flat in the decider as Carlow took the spoils and promotion. Their performances in last year’s championship, not least giving a good account against Tipperary, and Michael Ryan’s young charges will fancy themselves to fly beneath the radar.
Joe McDonagh Cup: Laois (A, May 5), Meath (H, May 13), Kerry (A, May 20), Antrim (H, June 3), Carlow (A, June 9)
Best hope: Finalists
Worst they’ll do: Fourth
Key man: Tommy Doyle
15 Kerry
THE year began with that historic win over Cork in the Munster Hurling League, but they failed to push on and were second best to Westmeath when it came to it for a place in the Division 2A final. It remains to be seen whether they have the stomach for a run at this championship, given boss Fintan O’Connor said it Kerry were “thrown under the bus” by the changes. Unlike those who would go into Leinster, Kerry would not win promotion to the Munster SHC if they were to succeed.
Joe McDonagh Cup: Carlow (A, May 5), Laois (H, May 13), Westmeath (H, May 20), Meath (A, June 3), Antrim (A, June 9)
Best hope: Third
Worst they’ll do: Relegated
Key man: Shane Nolan
16 Meath
BEAT Antrim in the Christy Ring final two years ago and have continued to hold their own off the back of that, winning promotion to 2A last year and keeping their spot in it with a solid spring, where they gave both Carlow and Westmeath all they wanted for long stretches.
Joe McDonagh Cup: Antrim (H, May 5), Westmeath (A, May 13), Carlow (A, May 20), Kerry (H, June 3), Laois (H, June 9)
Best hope: Fourth
Worst they’ll do: Relegated
Key man: James Toher
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CHRISTY RING CUP
17 Mayo
THEIR Division 2B triumph brings them to their highest point since the 1980s, not harmed at all by Keith Higgins’ decision to commit to their endeavours for a few months instead of the lure of football. His availability could be critical but their hurling pockets are bubbling and they will not be far away.
Christy Ring Cup: Wicklow (A, May 12), Kildare (H, May 19), Roscommon (A, June 2)
Best hope: Champions
18 Derry
THEIR league position means nothing to their championship standing. If Collie McGurk gets access to as many of the Slaughtneil players as he did last year then there’s no reason why Derry couldn’t strongly compete. The raft of retirements after last year’s Nicky Rackard success may undo them though.
Christy Ring Cup: London (H, May 12), Armagh (A, May 19), Down (H, June 2)
Best hope: Champions
19 Down
MARTY Mallon’s side confounded a lot of the doom and gloom about their winter turnover by topping Division 2B, even if they couldn’t finish the job against Mayo in the decider. Rebuilding with a very young side but with the likes of Paul Sheehan and Danny Toner, they will be among the third-tier favourites.
Christy Ring Cup: Armagh (H, May 12), London (A, May 19), Derry (A, June 2)
Best hope: Champions
20 London
VICTORY over Kildare on the final day saved their skin in the league, despite a fine campaign from Richard Murphy, who finished as the third top scorer overall. Have form for better championship campaigns but eternally hard to predict.
Christy Ring Cup: Derry (A, May 12), Down (H, May 19), Armagh (A, June 2)
Best hope: Finalists
21 Kildare
THE Lilywhites haven’t come close since springing their surprise 2014 success, and the drop-off in their league form this year is cause for alarm. They were relegated without a point, having finished third last year with three wins and a draw from five games. Joe Quaid’s decision to go without ‘permit players’ from outside the county has made life difficult.
Christy Ring Cup: Roscommon (H, May 12), Mayo (A, May 19), Wicklow (A, June 2)
Best hope: Semi-final
22 Wicklow
HAVING reached two All-Ireland under-21 B finals in three years, Seamus Murphy’s side had a mixed league campaign after spending the winter scouring for fresh talent that involved carrying two full panels in early season. Missed out on the final but not to be discounted as an outsider here.
Christy Ring Cup: Mayo (H, May 12), Roscommon (A, May 19), Kildare (H, June 2)
Best hope: Semi-final
23 Armagh
LAST year’s beaten Nicky Rackard finalists appeared to be making headway but after leapfrogging their way to second in the Ulster pecking order last year, they suffered a second successive relegation this spring under new boss Paddy Kelly in spite of the retention of most of last year’s squad, albeit without the Middletown contingent for a while. Cahal Carvill’s retirement is a major blow to their summer hopes.
Christy Ring Cup: Down (A, May 12), Derry (H, May 19), London (H, June 2)
Best hope: Semi-final
24 Roscommon
MISSED out on the promotion they craved from 3A, with a final-day defeat in a shootout with Warwickshire keeping them down for another year. They were out of their depth in the Christy Ring last year but with Daniel Glynn the main source of scores, Ciaran Comerford’s side will be confident of being competitive here.
Christy Ring Cup: Kildare (A, May 12), Wicklow (H, May 19), Mayo (H, June 2)
Best hope: Semi-final
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NICKY RACKARD CUP
25 Donegal: A very profitable spring included wins over Armagh and Derry, and hands them the favourites’ tag. Have made huge strides in the past few years.
26 Warwickshire: Even in spite of losing Liam Watson, last year’s Lory Meagher winners have improved and will step up to 2B next year.
27 Tyrone: Failing to win either of their opening two league games cost them a shot at going up. Will reach a semi-final at worst, and could win it with a bit of luck.
28 Monaghan: Their league campaign could have had a very different complexion had they won either of the two games they drew. Big win over Donegal last year, need to back it up.
29 Louth: Will be disappointed not to have gone up, draws with Warwickshire and Monaghan undermining them.
30 Leitrim: Only lost out in the 3B league decider after extra-time and step up despite having lost last year’s Lory Meagher final to Warwickshire. Will be happy to survive.
31 Longford: Have dropped off badly in recent years and will play in Division 3B next season. Favourites to drop to the Lory Meagher as well.
Nicky Rackard fixtures
May 19: Louth v Warwickshire; Monaghan v Longford; Tyrone v Donegal
May 26: Longford v Louth; Warwickshire v Monaghan; Donegal v Leitrim
June 9: Louth v Monaghan; Longford v Warwickshire; Leitrim v Tyrone
June 23: Final
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LORY MEAGHER CUP
32 Lancashire: Did superbly to win 3B in the spring, and the influence of free-scoring Cork native Ronan Crowley will make them hard to beat.
33 Sligo: Missed out on last year’s final on head-to-head and it’s in the games against the top sides they’ve just been unable to make that extra step.
34 Cavan: Re-entering the National League this year was another significant leap forward and to record a victory over Fermanagh will have given them great heart heading into summer.
35 Fermanagh: Looked to be on the right path when they won this competition in 2015 but fell back out of the Nicky Rackard after a year and have dropped right to the bottom since.
Lory Meagher fixtures
May 19: Fermanagh v Cavan, Lancashire v Sligo
May 26: Sligo v Fermanagh, Cavan v Lancashire
June 9: Fermanagh v Lancashire, Sligo v Cavan
June 23: Final