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Hurling Championship 2026

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Replying To Viking66:  "5 teams still in with a shout of winning Leinster. The same can't be said of Munster ;-)"
Who are the 5 teams who could win leinster? Technically yes, on planet realism 3 I'd say.
Any of 4 counties could win munster, bar waterford

richiepmurphy (Kilkenny) - Posts: 80 - 11/05/2026 10:44:56    2672245

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Replying To richiepmurphy:  "Who are the 5 teams who could win leinster? Technically yes, on planet realism 3 I'd say.
Any of 4 counties could win munster, bar waterford"
All the teams except Kildare can still win Leinster. And I was wrong about the relegation, 4 teams can still be relegated. Kildare, Offaly, Kilkenny and Wexford.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19512 - 11/05/2026 10:51:10    2672250

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Replying To richiepmurphy:  "Who are the 5 teams who could win leinster? Technically yes, on planet realism 3 I'd say.
Any of 4 counties could win munster, bar waterford"
Being realistic one of 2 counties will win Munster. Same 2 that were tipped at the start of the year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19512 - 11/05/2026 11:17:33    2672260

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Replying To richiepmurphy:  "Who are the 5 teams who could win leinster? Technically yes, on planet realism 3 I'd say.
Any of 4 counties could win munster, bar waterford"
On planet realism, it's beyond Clare 2026 surely, and realistically (which is the planet we're talking here), you wouldn't fancy Tipp 2026 either. Cork or Limerick will win Munster '26, that appears to be an inevitability now. The Leinster Final looks like Galway v KK/Dublin at this point. All bets off regarding who might win that out.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4710 - 11/05/2026 11:21:13    2672262

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Replying To Viking66:  "Being realistic one of 2 counties will win Munster. Same 2 that were tipped at the start of the year."
'Being realistic' how many counties do you think have a chance of winning Leinster?

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 530 - 11/05/2026 11:34:09    2672271

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "'Being realistic' how many counties do you think have a chance of winning Leinster?"
I was going to make a stab at it but be pure guess.

If Dublin win one of last two almost certain to be in final. Lose both and won't make top 3.

And wouldn't deserve to really.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4278 - 11/05/2026 12:14:01    2672282

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "'Being realistic' how many counties do you think have a chance of winning Leinster?"
Honestly, and I mean genuinely honestly, having seen us all play this year we are all so bad that Offaly could win it.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19512 - 11/05/2026 12:33:37    2672291

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "'Being realistic' how many counties do you think have a chance of winning Leinster?"
Ive thought about it some more and Offaly could win it as they could win out by decent scores against us and Kildare, Dublin and Kilkenny could draw and Dublin could lose to Galway. They could then be in the final against Galway on score difference. They could also be in the final if Galway were to win out, not unlikely, Dublin to lose out, also not impossible, but the problem for them then is that Kilkenny are unlikely to lose to Kildare. So being realistic they could win Leinster, as the 1st scenario isnt totally implausible.
We arent that likely either, but it wouldnt take any impossible results. We would need to win out, not impossible but it would need a significant increase in workrate, and Dublin would need to win out too, not impossible either. We would then play Dublin in the final. Or a less likely route would be we would have to win out, Dublin would have to lose to Kilkenny and Galway, not impossible, but again like Offaly we would need Kildare to beat Kilkenny. We would then play Galway in the final. Not likely. Another way we could get through to the final if we win out is for Dublin to lose to Galway, and draw with Kilkenny, with Kilkenny beating Kildare. But we would need to win out by a healthy score difference, and we arent scoring that freely.
So being realistic there are still 5 not unrealistically possible Leinster winners. Right now I wouldn't like to call which of them, although its probably more likely Galway, Kilkenny or Dublin. Probably err towards Galway, as I would towards Limerick in Munster.
By that Im still not ruling us out of winning our next 3 games, and Dublin winning their next 2 ;-) .... :-D

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19512 - 11/05/2026 13:28:58    2672318

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "'Being realistic' how many counties do you think have a chance of winning Leinster?"
I'd say 3. Galway, Kilkenny and Dublin. If we meet Dublin in a Leinster final, they'll have no fears about playing us and have decent record against us. Obviously Kilkenny have it in them to beat us, particularly in Leinster finals, where we've managed to butcher some great opportunities, 2020 and 2023 in particular.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2799 - 11/05/2026 13:30:37    2672320

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Replying To Viking66:  "Honestly, and I mean genuinely honestly, having seen us all play this year we are all so bad that Offaly could win it."
While I like what I see from them i dont think they will win it but they will have a big say in who does. They lack a bit in size and strength/physicality atm but they play the game at the pace, aggression levels and intensity that is required to win at this level. You can see belief in this squad growing within the supporters. They were quiet and apprehensive yesterday during the early part of the game but they responded to the players effort and helped get the draw in the end. I think the crowd will grow again next week. There was a strut to their step leaving the ground and that's all any fan wants from their team.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 380 - 11/05/2026 13:44:53    2672328

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If the Championship were to stop right now, what do you think would the All-Star team be, for me it's:
1. Billy Nolan (Waterford)
2. Ronan Glennon (Galway)
3. Mark Fitzgerald (Waterford)
4. Barry Nash (Limerick)
5. Diarmuid Byrnes (Limerick)
6. Rob Downey (Cork)
7. Mark Coleman (Cork)
8. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)
9. Jamie Barron (Waterford)
10. Rory Burke (Galway)
11. Stephen Bennett (Waterford)
12. Donal Burke (Dublin)
13. Conor Whelan (Galway)
14. Shane O'Brien (Limerick)
15. Alan Connolly (Cork)

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 34 - 11/05/2026 14:09:20    2672345

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "They were a different animal in Parnell in league and championship than in Newbridge last year. Dublin won both comfortably on board but it was a contest."
I'd agree. In the game last summer Kildare were out-muscled and out-hurled over most of the pitch. It left the lads under no illusions over what was to come this year and they've improved again. I believe that game would have shown each of the lads a couple of things to concentrate on and has stood to them this year.

brianb (Kildare) - Posts: 497 - 11/05/2026 14:29:05    2672352

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Replying To Viking66:  "Ive thought about it some more and Offaly could win it as they could win out by decent scores against us and Kildare, Dublin and Kilkenny could draw and Dublin could lose to Galway. They could then be in the final against Galway on score difference. They could also be in the final if Galway were to win out, not unlikely, Dublin to lose out, also not impossible, but the problem for them then is that Kilkenny are unlikely to lose to Kildare. So being realistic they could win Leinster, as the 1st scenario isnt totally implausible.
We arent that likely either, but it wouldnt take any impossible results. We would need to win out, not impossible but it would need a significant increase in workrate, and Dublin would need to win out too, not impossible either. We would then play Dublin in the final. Or a less likely route would be we would have to win out, Dublin would have to lose to Kilkenny and Galway, not impossible, but again like Offaly we would need Kildare to beat Kilkenny. We would then play Galway in the final. Not likely. Another way we could get through to the final if we win out is for Dublin to lose to Galway, and draw with Kilkenny, with Kilkenny beating Kildare. But we would need to win out by a healthy score difference, and we arent scoring that freely.
So being realistic there are still 5 not unrealistically possible Leinster winners. Right now I wouldn't like to call which of them, although its probably more likely Galway, Kilkenny or Dublin. Probably err towards Galway, as I would towards Limerick in Munster.
By that Im still not ruling us out of winning our next 3 games, and Dublin winning their next 2 ;-) .... :-D"
Jaysus Viking it's not that complicated at all......what a nonsense post. It'll be Galway v KK/Dublin, and if it's not, I'll have to revert back to your extensive 'assessment' here for a guideline.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4710 - 11/05/2026 14:37:11    2672356

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My heart goes out to Wexford and it kills me to see them struggling but if Offaly beat them .....Well I'm afraid they will be the new Offaly of Leinster hurling....a sinking ship.
Offaly have made tremendous progress and it would be great to see them qualify in 3rd place.
The popcorn will be out in Salthill Saturday to watch the one man band Burke and Dublin playing Galway.....hilarious hurling tactics hit the ball as high and hard up into the air and pox it over the bar!!!

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2823 - 11/05/2026 14:39:50    2672357

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Replying To Viking66:  "Honestly, and I mean genuinely honestly, having seen us all play this year we are all so bad that Offaly could win it."
Galways most comfortable game of the year was against Offaly where they did not play great and won by 12 points

Kinvara (Galway) - Posts: 210 - 11/05/2026 15:18:06    2672367

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Replying To Viking66:  "Ive thought about it some more and Offaly could win it as they could win out by decent scores against us and Kildare, Dublin and Kilkenny could draw and Dublin could lose to Galway. They could then be in the final against Galway on score difference. They could also be in the final if Galway were to win out, not unlikely, Dublin to lose out, also not impossible, but the problem for them then is that Kilkenny are unlikely to lose to Kildare. So being realistic they could win Leinster, as the 1st scenario isnt totally implausible.
We arent that likely either, but it wouldnt take any impossible results. We would need to win out, not impossible but it would need a significant increase in workrate, and Dublin would need to win out too, not impossible either. We would then play Dublin in the final. Or a less likely route would be we would have to win out, Dublin would have to lose to Kilkenny and Galway, not impossible, but again like Offaly we would need Kildare to beat Kilkenny. We would then play Galway in the final. Not likely. Another way we could get through to the final if we win out is for Dublin to lose to Galway, and draw with Kilkenny, with Kilkenny beating Kildare. But we would need to win out by a healthy score difference, and we arent scoring that freely.
So being realistic there are still 5 not unrealistically possible Leinster winners. Right now I wouldn't like to call which of them, although its probably more likely Galway, Kilkenny or Dublin. Probably err towards Galway, as I would towards Limerick in Munster.
By that Im still not ruling us out of winning our next 3 games, and Dublin winning their next 2 ;-) .... :-D"
Genuine question Viking - From what you've seen of Wexford this season, do you really think they can win their next 3 games?

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 530 - 11/05/2026 15:32:28    2672374

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Jaysus Viking it's not that complicated at all......what a nonsense post. It'll be Galway v KK/Dublin, and if it's not, I'll have to revert back to your extensive 'assessment' here for a guideline."
Plenty of slips twixt cup and lips Pope.

If you lose to Dublin and if we beat Offaly, both possible results, we will beat you in the Park.

And if you beat Dublin and we beat Offaly we will beat you in the Park.

And if you beat Dublin and we lose to Offaly we will beat you in the Park if we have to win to stay up. You might win otherwise.

Of course you are currently favourites to win Leinster, but that doesn't mean that you will. You have been favourites several times before in the Round Robin era, and you have only won Leinster once in that time.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19512 - 11/05/2026 15:50:34    2672381

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "Genuine question Viking - From what you've seen of Wexford this season, do you really think they can win their next 3 games?"
Genuinely BloodandBandage nothing would surprise me about us this year. Nothing. We could be playing a Championship game in Ballycran next year. Or we could be in an AISF this year. Or anything in between.
A reason to be positive right now is that we only have 1 important player who will likely miss the next 2 games injured currently. We might have 2 other starters from last year back from injury for the next game. Thats significantly better on that front than the last few years. Also we finally showed a little fight towards the end of the last game, although it was too late to change that particular result.
I genuinely dont have time to list all the reasons to be negative right now. And if I live to be 110 I still probably wont have enough time. So Im not going to dwell on them ;-)

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19512 - 11/05/2026 15:58:54    2672383

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Maybe some of us are completely delusional in Wexford, but if you don't have hope, you have nothing.

I know our team is capable of better than we've shown so far this year, and in particular, better than we've shown in the last two games.

I also know that Wexford teams are capable of bouncing back after bad results, e.g. two years ago, we lost to Antrim in Corrigan Park and many people wrote our obituary, but the following week we beat Galway in Wexford Park and went on to qualify for the All-Ireland series anyway. Was only a controversial goal against us in Nowlan Park that stopped us from reaching the Leinster Final.

Obviously I hoped we'd bounce back against Dublin in Round 3 after that bad defeat to Kilkenny in Round 2. And obviously it didn't happen. But now I'm hoping we bounce back twice as hard in Tullamore. A win there and we'd be going into a final round home match with improved morale and a chance to make the All-Ireland series again, and possibly even a Leinster Final.

We have to hope. If you don't have hope, you have nothing.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3587 - 11/05/2026 16:19:12    2672398

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Replying To Viking66:  "Genuinely BloodandBandage nothing would surprise me about us this year. Nothing. We could be playing a Championship game in Ballycran next year. Or we could be in an AISF this year. Or anything in between.
A reason to be positive right now is that we only have 1 important player who will likely miss the next 2 games injured currently. We might have 2 other starters from last year back from injury for the next game. Thats significantly better on that front than the last few years. Also we finally showed a little fight towards the end of the last game, although it was too late to change that particular result.
I genuinely dont have time to list all the reasons to be negative right now. And if I live to be 110 I still probably wont have enough time. So Im not going to dwell on them ;-)"
I have to be honest viking, I didnt see much fight at all. I know you are a fan and all but I think you are stretching it a bit looking for the silver lining there. I dont think there is anything positive that can be taken from that game from a wexford point of view.
Thata not to say that there isnt more in you but there is no evidence to support that there is to date. Wexford are severely lacking in all the metrics used to analyse performance atm.

Dublin weren't a whole lot better but they do have Burke and one or 2 more. They are way too slow and ponderous on the ball and telegraph their intent. They dont play at the pace or intensity required. I saw them in the league final too and they were the same.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 380 - 11/05/2026 16:45:31    2672407

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