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Replying To bloodandbandage: "Last year Limerick beat us out the gate in the Munster RR and were immediately red hot favorites to win the AI, with most of those young lads you've just mentioned involved, and look what happened after that.
Can they win the AI? of course they can, but I just have this feeling (only my opinion) that they could struggle when the ground dries out and the pace picks up.
I'm glad you included Clare in there. Flying under the radar in 1B!!!" If Clare can put the team out they had in 2024 they will be hard to beat.
Injuries to Davy Mac and now Mark Rodgers would be worrying though from a Clare point of view, especially McInerney.
Alot of people seem to forget that Limerick didnt lose the Munster final over 70 minutes. Or even after extra time. And that was despite all the injuries and other distractions. And its very unlikely they will take their eye off the ball like they did in last years AIQF.
I think for Tipp to win the AI Cahill is going to have to come up with something new again, either tactically or personnel. Which he might do.
Cork are another year on, with a new manager. Men on a mission with the whole county behind them. Will be hard to beat too.
Everyone will have a better idea where everyone is at after the 1st 2 rounds in Leinster and Munster. But right now Im sticking to that 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19125 - 08/04/2026 15:27:11
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Replying To Tadhg2020: "Clare are probably listed in there because they won the all ireland 2 seasons ago. Id have put Tipp ahead of them personally.
Id have 3 pools of 3 counties personally. I dont think you can go further than that until round 3 of provincial championship at earliest.
1. Favourites- Limerick, Tipp, Cork
2. Outside chance- KK, Galway, Clare.
3. Long shots- Wexford, Waterford, Dublin.
4. Offaly and Kildare.
Come the All Ireland series KK and Galway are almost certain to be there. They can also rotate more while getting therr which is an advantage.
The Munster teams dont have that luxury or certainty. One of pool 1 may not make it. 2 possibly depending on Waterfords form.
To sum up KK and Galway will be very competitive in All Ireland series. They could knock out any of the munster teams and go on a run to All Ireland title not unlike Tipp last season. Let's not forget that they weren't anyone's tip to win All Ireland at any stage last year. KK are capable of doing similar. Galway too although KK are the more likely given Galways record in finals." That rotation thing for Galway and Kilkenny is nonsense. Just look back over the last couple of seasons teamsheets. Neither have rotated much if at all. They can't afford to. Plus both have to play an extra game compared to the Munster teams. An extra game to get up for, and possibly suffer injuries in. And 1 less week of rest.
Agree with your tiers though as it stands right now, agree with your last paragraph, and also agree we will know more after the first couple of games.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19125 - 08/04/2026 15:42:10
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Replying To bloodandbandage: "I wouldn't have them far back because at least one of them (I'd also include Dublin) will be in an AI semi, and anything can happen from there.
KK were very, very close to the final last year." They were, but Lawlor is a huge huge loss. Not just as a number 3, but as a leader also.
Agree Dublin could win Leinster. We might either if we have and keep our best and most experienced players fully fit. But thats always a big IF, especially with having to play 5 Round Robin games.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19125 - 08/04/2026 15:52:21
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Replying To Tadhg2020: "Clare are probably listed in there because they won the all ireland 2 seasons ago. Id have put Tipp ahead of them personally.
Id have 3 pools of 3 counties personally. I dont think you can go further than that until round 3 of provincial championship at earliest.
1. Favourites- Limerick, Tipp, Cork
2. Outside chance- KK, Galway, Clare.
3. Long shots- Wexford, Waterford, Dublin.
4. Offaly and Kildare.
Come the All Ireland series KK and Galway are almost certain to be there. They can also rotate more while getting therr which is an advantage.
The Munster teams dont have that luxury or certainty. One of pool 1 may not make it. 2 possibly depending on Waterfords form.
To sum up KK and Galway will be very competitive in All Ireland series. They could knock out any of the munster teams and go on a run to All Ireland title not unlike Tipp last season. Let's not forget that they weren't anyone's tip to win All Ireland at any stage last year. KK are capable of doing similar. Galway too although KK are the more likely given Galways record in finals." Just to note since the introduction of the round robin we've qualified more often than Dublin or Galway.
I expect Kilkenny will be in an Ireland semi final. They usually are.
Dublin are the most settled team in Leinster, but I don't see them beating Kilkenny in a final.
Galway are a match for anyone but you never really know what you're going to get. That being said I've been impressed with them this year.
I have no Idea what we're going to do. If we somehow get to a Leinster final we'll win it. We could just as easily finish 5th.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4398 - 08/04/2026 18:05:14
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Replying To Doylerwex: "Just to note since the introduction of the round robin we've qualified more often than Dublin or Galway.
I expect Kilkenny will be in an Ireland semi final. They usually are.
Dublin are the most settled team in Leinster, but I don't see them beating Kilkenny in a final.
Galway are a match for anyone but you never really know what you're going to get. That being said I've been impressed with them this year.
I have no Idea what we're going to do. If we somehow get to a Leinster final we'll win it. We could just as easily finish 5th." Silly contradiction to say that a team is a match for anyone, but you never know what you'll get.
You double down on the irony then, claiming that Wexford are capable of winning the Leinster title, but 'could just as easily finish 5th'. Isn't that 'you never really know what you're going to get' on steroids?
Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4645 - 08/04/2026 23:24:48
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Going off point a little bit, but I do think that Donal Og's point about Tipp rising fast and falling just as fast has some merits to it. Tipperary is one of the BIG THREE in hurling, along with Cork and Kilkenny. But it might surprise some readers to realize that Tipp has never done the 4-in-a-row of Munster titles. That's over a period of more than 125 years, many years of which only Cork and Tipp were strong in Munster.
Cork has done the 5-in-a-row three times, the 4-in-row once, and the three-in-a-row twice. Of course, Limerick has done the 6-in-a-row once and the 4-in-a-row once also.
Tipp has managed the 3-in-a-row four times in its history but has never been able to go further than that.
So, given those statistics, it is not surprising that back-to-back titles have eluded Tipp for the past half-century and more.
foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2487 - 09/04/2026 01:19:32
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I dont think that this back to back thing is an issue for Tipp or any county for that matter.
Take Cork or any county other than Tipp or Limerick and Kilkenny. They would swap places for what Tipp have won since 2000 in a heart beat. Tipp come and win one or two all irelands every decade and that's success in anyone's book. If Limerick can achieve that going forward I will be very happy.
In the context of this year's All Ireland and Munster i dont think its relevant either. If they dont win its got nothing to do with history. It will be because its a very competitive championship on both counts. They weren't the best team in the competition last season but they found a way to win. They aren't the best team in the country at the moment either but it remains to be seen whether they can remain in the fight and how the cards fall around them.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 177 - 09/04/2026 09:52:20
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Replying To WanPintWin: "Kilkenny have lost their last 4 All-Ireland finals. Their average losing margin in those finals is almost 9 points. Historically, you'd absolutely give them a chance in a final, but it's over a decade since we've seen them get over the line.
Our record in finals is awful, but I wouldn't have any more faith in Kilkenny to get the job done in a final at the moment, than ourselves.
Regardless, I posted on here at the start of the year that Limerick were my favourites for Liam McCarthy and that obviously hasn't changed. That doesn't mean they can't be beaten on a given day, but they are the most likely to win it out." I dont disagree with you on KK recent record. I just believe that its a lot easier to convince a KK dressing room that they can win an All Ireland title than it is a Galway dressing room. That applies to Tipp which is why they rise so fast to use Donal Ogs words.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 177 - 09/04/2026 09:56:50
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Replying To Pope_Benedict: "Silly contradiction to say that a team is a match for anyone, but you never know what you'll get.
You double down on the irony then, claiming that Wexford are capable of winning the Leinster title, but 'could just as easily finish 5th'. Isn't that 'you never really know what you're going to get' on steroids?" It is. Sadly.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19125 - 09/04/2026 11:22:56
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Replying To Tadhg2020: "I dont think that this back to back thing is an issue for Tipp or any county for that matter.
Take Cork or any county other than Tipp or Limerick and Kilkenny. They would swap places for what Tipp have won since 2000 in a heart beat. Tipp come and win one or two all irelands every decade and that's success in anyone's book. If Limerick can achieve that going forward I will be very happy.
In the context of this year's All Ireland and Munster i dont think its relevant either. If they dont win its got nothing to do with history. It will be because its a very competitive championship on both counts. They weren't the best team in the competition last season but they found a way to win. They aren't the best team in the country at the moment either but it remains to be seen whether they can remain in the fight and how the cards fall around them." They might not have been the best at a number of different performance metrics, but they won the AI, so they were the best at the most important metric of them all.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19125 - 09/04/2026 11:26:08
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Replying To Tadhg2020: "I dont disagree with you on KK recent record. I just believe that its a lot easier to convince a KK dressing room that they can win an All Ireland title than it is a Galway dressing room. That applies to Tipp which is why they rise so fast to use Donal Ogs words." Tipps rise last year was monumental, especially considering their previous 2 years. I've a feeling they'll be around for a while yet and wouldn't take too much notice Of Donal Og's comments
bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 490 - 09/04/2026 12:29:27
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Replying To Tadhg2020: "I dont disagree with you on KK recent record. I just believe that its a lot easier to convince a KK dressing room that they can win an All Ireland title than it is a Galway dressing room. That applies to Tipp which is why they rise so fast to use Donal Ogs words." Probably still is, but that wears off once the last few lads with medals slide away from the panel and you have a group who only know defeat in finals. Kilkenny aren't far away from that now. Cork would have been seen as an ultra confident hurling county who'd always back themselves in a final. That was the case for decades. Now the narrative is the opposite. Man Utd as example from another sport. From serial winners to a team which has gone well over a decade without winning the league. Something is true, only until it no longer is.
Tipp, I agree with you 100% and I thought they had a great chance of beating Cork last year. Their record in finals is excellent. They usually have talented forwards with an eye for goal, and if you can score heavily, you'll always have a chance. They could just as easily fail to get out of Munster this year, but if they do come through, they can take anyone on a given day.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2748 - 09/04/2026 12:30:12
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Replying To Viking66: "They might not have been the best at a number of different performance metrics, but they won the AI, so they were the best at the most important metric of them all." Thats stating the obvious. It opened up for them and they were good enough to take the opportunity that presented itself.
Will that present itself again and will they be good enough this time if it does. Thats the question.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 177 - 09/04/2026 12:44:59
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I don't see Limerick as being far ahead of the crowd at all tbh. They only won 2 games in Championship last year and the defeat to Dublin shouldnt be swept under the carpet.
They can still be awesome in spurts but I'm not convinced they can keep it up for a full 70 minutes, or for back to back big games. of the newer fellas, O' Brien and O' Connor were poor against cork. O'neill was anonymous as well int he first half, and English similarly was snuffed out int he second half against Galway and Cork imo. Not to be too harsh on them, I'm just not sure they are at the level of seamlessly slotting in to the once all conquering team. I'd be shocked if O' Donovan doesn't start.
All that said, if I was rankign teamas atm they'd be no.1. I don't think anyone else has players as dominant as Hegarty and Gillane in the form they were in the last day. Atm I'd go
1. Limerick 2. Tipp 3. Cork 4. Clare 5. KK 6. Galway 7. Dublin 8. Wexford
But any combination of the top 6 would be a close game at the moment I think. I don't think any of KK, Galway or Dublin have it in them to beat multiple Munster teams if they were to lose the Leinster final but you'd have to give the Leinster winners a shout at winning it all.
i think we're in for a very exciting championship in both provinces tbh and plenty of ups and downs. One of Kildare or offaly will upset the applecart of one of the above teams at least once as well imo, but as the Wexford contingent here often point out, they are more than capable of losing in newbridge in 2 weeks time and then turning around and beating anyone
Overdahill (Galway) - Posts: 96 - 09/04/2026 12:52:16
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TBH this starter post was a bit of a wind up IMHO
Very little between the top three - Limerick, Cork and Tipp, and not much more from that group to Clare.
Of the rest I'd say Kilkenny and Galway are outsiders but always in with a chance. I think Galway need another year or two to be real contenders but thats what was said of Tipp last year. Kilkenny seem to be struggling but on any given day they could beat anybody and you can never write off Kilkenny
And those 2 are pretty sure to qualify for the AI series, and one to a semi so thats a big leg up
you could say the same of Waterford but hard to see them winning enough tight games to win the whole thing.
The margins in these games are so tight, and with injuries, suspensions, puck of a ball, luck you couldnt say any team is probably going to win.
Limerick were not good enough the last 2 years, are they really that much better now?
Cork look great when things go their way but when things get tough what happens? And they have a new coach with no record at this level
Tipp surprised everybody last year and have a huge well of talent but a lot of it is untested, and how will they react to being hunted and not the hunter (hence all the faux outrage about being disrepected emanating from their camp)
you could say does anyone see past one of Limerick, Cork or Tipp winning the All Ireland?
Clare are 10/1 shots and probably the best bet.
We have had Cork Limerick, Cork Clare, Cork Tipp, Clare Tipp, Limerick Waterford finals - time for Limerick Clare or Limerick Tipp
Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 229 - 09/04/2026 14:23:00
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Replying To Overdahill: "I don't see Limerick as being far ahead of the crowd at all tbh. They only won 2 games in Championship last year and the defeat to Dublin shouldnt be swept under the carpet.
They can still be awesome in spurts but I'm not convinced they can keep it up for a full 70 minutes, or for back to back big games. of the newer fellas, O' Brien and O' Connor were poor against cork. O'neill was anonymous as well int he first half, and English similarly was snuffed out int he second half against Galway and Cork imo. Not to be too harsh on them, I'm just not sure they are at the level of seamlessly slotting in to the once all conquering team. I'd be shocked if O' Donovan doesn't start.
All that said, if I was rankign teamas atm they'd be no.1. I don't think anyone else has players as dominant as Hegarty and Gillane in the form they were in the last day. Atm I'd go
1. Limerick 2. Tipp 3. Cork 4. Clare 5. KK 6. Galway 7. Dublin 8. Wexford
But any combination of the top 6 would be a close game at the moment I think. I don't think any of KK, Galway or Dublin have it in them to beat multiple Munster teams if they were to lose the Leinster final but you'd have to give the Leinster winners a shout at winning it all.
i think we're in for a very exciting championship in both provinces tbh and plenty of ups and downs. One of Kildare or offaly will upset the applecart of one of the above teams at least once as well imo, but as the Wexford contingent here often point out, they are more than capable of losing in newbridge in 2 weeks time and then turning around and beating anyone" I certainly would not be worried about O'Neill. He found the net against Offaly, Cork and Galway,, on a day when he scored 1-6 from play, got MOM and player of the week. He has also won a League Medal as a Wing Back and at the closing stages of the two most recent games he won some great Aerial Battles and scored when both games were in the Melting pot.
Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4541 - 09/04/2026 14:38:12
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