Hurling 2026

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/all-ireland-hurling-championship-power-rankings-where-is-your-county-in-the-pecking-order/

Gaelic Games

All-Ireland hurling championship power rankings: Where is your county in the pecking order?

Denis Walsh, Seán Moran, Gordon Manning and Malachy Clerkin rank the teams gunning for Liam MacCarthy

Munster teams are main contenders for the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Malachy Clerkin

Sat Apr 18 2026 - 06:00•5 MIN READ

11 Kildare (Final NHL standing: 11)

Kildare's Jack Sheridan celebrates scoring a goal. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

The year's first job was completed comfortably, finishing a solid fourth in Division 1B. Now to stay in the Liam MacCarthy. They carry a genuine goal threat (only Cork and Dublin raised more green flags in the top two divisions of the league). David Qaulter, Jack Sheridan and Cathal Dowling all pose a threat if they can stay fit and if Kildare can win enough possession. Will be underestimated every day they go out and need to beat Offaly (at least) to avoid the Joe McDonagh in 2027.

10 Offaly (9)

Offaly's Adam Screeney. Photograph: Inpho

It's been slightly forgotten how competitive Offaly were in last year's Leinster championship, with both Dublin and Wexford needing injury-time goals to rob victories against them. Winless in the league, they've endured a persistently lengthy injury-list and Johnny Kelly's young squad could do with getting some or all of Charlie Mitchell, Ciaran Burke, James Mahon and Ruairi Kelly back soon, although Donal Shirley has done his cruciate and will miss the year. A lot will rest on Adam Screeney's capacity for magic and not tripping up against Kildare on the last day.

9 Wexford (10)

Offaly's Colin Spain tackles Jack O'Connor of Wexford. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho

Only had themselves to blame for not getting promoted to 1A. Dublin beat Down and Antrim by a combined 47 points, Wexford only beat Antrim by one and Down by two. A repeat of that sort of form will see them vulnerable to a humbling in Leinster – Offaly in Tullamore next month will be fraught with peril. On the up side, they've beaten Kilkenny and Galway in the past two seasons and they have both Jack O'Connor and Liam Ryan back after neither played a minute of the league.

8 Waterford (

Stephen Bennett of Waterford. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho

Their dreadful record in the Munster round-robin will change some year. It's just hard to make an argument that it will be this year, given the immense strength at the top of affairs. Conor Prunty is out for the first two games at least and though Jamie Barron and Stephen Bennett are back in harness, they both have a lot of hard miles on the clock. Austin Gleeson is back in the panel and the influence of former Cork coach Donal O'Rourke will be interesting to watch.

READ MORE

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Weekend's football fixtures, throw-in times and TV details, including Derry v Antrim

7 Dublin (7)

Dublin's John Hetherton. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

With expectations lifted by the win over Limerick in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final, Niall Ó Ceallacháin's second year comes with excuses at a minimum. Liam Rushe is back in the mix, adding to an already strong-looking defence, and they have a very settled middle eight with Conor Donoghue and Conor Burke holding down midfield. Could do with some variety up front, where long, high balls to Ronan Hayes and/or John Hetherton could have limited enough return in the long run. A Leinster final is there for them if they click.

6 Kilkenny (5)

Kilkenny's TJ Reid. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho

Has a team looking to make it seven straight provincial championships ever gone into a summer with worse vibes? The sniping from the sidelines got a lot louder after the Galway hiding - Kilkenny is a county that can live with defeats but won't tolerate humiliation. TJ Reid is back for his 20th season but Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan are still travelling and Eoin Murphy drops to the bench for the first time since 2014. One game could change everything but hard to imagine there's an All-Ireland push in them.

Learn more

5 Galway (4)

Galway's Conor Whelan. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho

Huge improvement so far in Micheál Donoghue's second year. A smattering of new forwards has taken the burden off Conor Whelan and Cathal Mannion and they came within a late goal-line clearance against Limerick of making the league final. The opener against Kilkenny has to be the bellwether – win at home and they're set up for the road ahead. Lose though and it will feel like all the progress of the spring has been for nothing. Only a handful of the 2018 Leinster-winning team remain – time for a new generation to step up.

4 Clare (5)

Clare's Tony Kelly. Photograph: Natasha Barton/Inpho

Tidied away the Division 1B final after a decent battle with Dublin, even though they were down probably a third of their best team. Seriously experienced in every line, with an age profile still just about the right side of the tipping point. Tony Kelly's return is timely and Adam Hogan has overcome a broken finger. No leeway for a repeat this weekend of last year's slip-up against Waterford. Major players in the four-way battle for three Munster graduate spots.

3 Tipperary (3)

Tipperary's Stefan Tobin. Photograph: Ken Sutton/Inpho

Got just about as much and as little as they wanted out of the league. Stefan Tobin was a decent find and his form for the under-20s has made him a viable candidate to snatch a starting spot. Mikey Breen, Ronan Maher and John McGrath all featured more towards the end of the league and will be cornerstones again. Quiet build-up to this weekend will suit them and they're entitled to be a bit miffed at the underdogs tag. Huge contenders again.

2 Cork (2)

Cork's Eoin Downey. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho

Doubts remain, clearly. Have the ability to look irresistible when they're in full flow – their speed, power and handling is unstoppable when the needle hits the groove. But the simple truth is that they should have won an All-Ireland by now and until they do, they will be stained in the eyes of the sceptics. Will need to prove that Cork spikiness isn't just a feature of Ben O'Connor's post-match interviews. You can't be a coming team forever – at some point you have to arrive.

1 Limerick (1)

Limerick's Cathal O'Neill. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Easily the best team in the league, partly because they played like it was important to remind themselves what they were capable of. Aidan O'Connor flourished under the free-taking responsibility, Cathal O'Neill and Adam English are established now after a few seasons of looking over their shoulders. Could do with the Morrissey brothers getting back to full fitness but in general, John Kiely will be happy. Granite hard down through the spine and with Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch in wizard mode, they're still the team everyone has to beat.

[seafoid]

Easy so far for Galway against the cats

[imtommygunn]

That's a huge win for Galway. Kilkenny be sore about that.

[Capt Pat]

The Offaly v Dublin game was a cracker ending in a draw. Galway looked good against the cats. It will be interesting to see how Galway get on against the Munster teams when it comes to it.

Both todays games could only be seen on gaa+.

[marty34]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/04/18/all-ireland-hurling-championship-power-rankings-where-is-your-county-in-the-pecking-order/

Gaelic Games

All-Ireland hurling championship power rankings: Where is your county in the pecking order?

Denis Walsh, Seán Moran, Gordon Manning and Malachy Clerkin rank the teams gunning for Liam MacCarthy

Munster teams are main contenders for the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Malachy Clerkin

Sat Apr 18 2026 - 06:00•5 MIN READ

11 Kildare (Final NHL standing: 11)

Kildare's Jack Sheridan celebrates scoring a goal. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

The year's first job was completed comfortably, finishing a solid fourth in Division 1B. Now to stay in the Liam MacCarthy. They carry a genuine goal threat (only Cork and Dublin raised more green flags in the top two divisions of the league). David Qaulter, Jack Sheridan and Cathal Dowling all pose a threat if they can stay fit and if Kildare can win enough possession. Will be underestimated every day they go out and need to beat Offaly (at least) to avoid the Joe McDonagh in 2027.

10 Offaly (9)

Offaly's Adam Screeney. Photograph: Inpho

It's been slightly forgotten how competitive Offaly were in last year's Leinster championship, with both Dublin and Wexford needing injury-time goals to rob victories against them. Winless in the league, they've endured a persistently lengthy injury-list and Johnny Kelly's young squad could do with getting some or all of Charlie Mitchell, Ciaran Burke, James Mahon and Ruairi Kelly back soon, although Donal Shirley has done his cruciate and will miss the year. A lot will rest on Adam Screeney's capacity for magic and not tripping up against Kildare on the last day.

9 Wexford (10)

Offaly's Colin Spain tackles Jack O'Connor of Wexford. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho

Only had themselves to blame for not getting promoted to 1A. Dublin beat Down and Antrim by a combined 47 points, Wexford only beat Antrim by one and Down by two. A repeat of that sort of form will see them vulnerable to a humbling in Leinster – Offaly in Tullamore next month will be fraught with peril. On the up side, they've beaten Kilkenny and Galway in the past two seasons and they have both Jack O'Connor and Liam Ryan back after neither played a minute of the league.

8 Waterford (

Stephen Bennett of Waterford. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho

Their dreadful record in the Munster round-robin will change some year. It's just hard to make an argument that it will be this year, given the immense strength at the top of affairs. Conor Prunty is out for the first two games at least and though Jamie Barron and Stephen Bennett are back in harness, they both have a lot of hard miles on the clock. Austin Gleeson is back in the panel and the influence of former Cork coach Donal O'Rourke will be interesting to watch.

READ MORE

Kobe McDonald is a reminder that GAA people are every bit as selfish as pro sports fans

Louth went under the radar to win Leinster in 2025. Now they have a target on their back

Nicky English: Limerick best placed in wide-open All-Ireland, but I wouldn't put money on it

Weekend's football fixtures, throw-in times and TV details, including Derry v Antrim

7 Dublin (7)

Dublin's John Hetherton. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

With expectations lifted by the win over Limerick in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final, Niall Ó Ceallacháin's second year comes with excuses at a minimum. Liam Rushe is back in the mix, adding to an already strong-looking defence, and they have a very settled middle eight with Conor Donoghue and Conor Burke holding down midfield. Could do with some variety up front, where long, high balls to Ronan Hayes and/or John Hetherton could have limited enough return in the long run. A Leinster final is there for them if they click.

6 Kilkenny (5)

Kilkenny's TJ Reid. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho

Has a team looking to make it seven straight provincial championships ever gone into a summer with worse vibes? The sniping from the sidelines got a lot louder after the Galway hiding - Kilkenny is a county that can live with defeats but won't tolerate humiliation. TJ Reid is back for his 20th season but Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan are still travelling and Eoin Murphy drops to the bench for the first time since 2014. One game could change everything but hard to imagine there's an All-Ireland push in them.

Learn more

5 Galway (4)

Galway's Conor Whelan. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho

Huge improvement so far in Micheál Donoghue's second year. A smattering of new forwards has taken the burden off Conor Whelan and Cathal Mannion and they came within a late goal-line clearance against Limerick of making the league final. The opener against Kilkenny has to be the bellwether – win at home and they're set up for the road ahead. Lose though and it will feel like all the progress of the spring has been for nothing. Only a handful of the 2018 Leinster-winning team remain – time for a new generation to step up.

4 Clare (5)

Clare's Tony Kelly. Photograph: Natasha Barton/Inpho

Tidied away the Division 1B final after a decent battle with Dublin, even though they were down probably a third of their best team. Seriously experienced in every line, with an age profile still just about the right side of the tipping point. Tony Kelly's return is timely and Adam Hogan has overcome a broken finger. No leeway for a repeat this weekend of last year's slip-up against Waterford. Major players in the four-way battle for three Munster graduate spots.

3 Tipperary (3)

Tipperary's Stefan Tobin. Photograph: Ken Sutton/Inpho

Got just about as much and as little as they wanted out of the league. Stefan Tobin was a decent find and his form for the under-20s has made him a viable candidate to snatch a starting spot. Mikey Breen, Ronan Maher and John McGrath all featured more towards the end of the league and will be cornerstones again. Quiet build-up to this weekend will suit them and they're entitled to be a bit miffed at the underdogs tag. Huge contenders again.

2 Cork (2)

Cork's Eoin Downey. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho

Doubts remain, clearly. Have the ability to look irresistible when they're in full flow – their speed, power and handling is unstoppable when the needle hits the groove. But the simple truth is that they should have won an All-Ireland by now and until they do, they will be stained in the eyes of the sceptics. Will need to prove that Cork spikiness isn't just a feature of Ben O'Connor's post-match interviews. You can't be a coming team forever – at some point you have to arrive.

1 Limerick (1)

Limerick's Cathal O'Neill. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Easily the best team in the league, partly because they played like it was important to remind themselves what they were capable of. Aidan O'Connor flourished under the free-taking responsibility, Cathal O'Neill and Adam English are established now after a few seasons of looking over their shoulders. Could do with the Morrissey brothers getting back to full fitness but in general, John Kiely will be happy. Granite hard down through the spine and with Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch in wizard mode, they're still the team everyone has to beat.

I think the key ingredient for Limerick this year is that Caroline Currid's involvement with the panel again.

A masterstroke by Kiely and Kinnerk.

[EoinW]

Such a wide open game in Tullamore!  Great fun to watch but I'd fear for those defences against the top counties.  Dublin's Swiss Cheese defence has given up 10 goals in its last two championship games!  They've got to fix that.

[JollyGreenGiant]

From a neutral perspective Dublin v Offaly yesterday could hardly be bettered. Dublin's defence was poor at times at giving up four goals is a poor return.

[moonster]

Waterford excellent odds at 4/1. Due to come out of Muster

[moonster]

Bennett always plays well against Clare

[From the Bunker]

Christ - a full Sunday of Hurling on the TV.

[marty34]

F'&k, Donal Óg is a serious dose!

[moonster]

Cork name is on this

[moonster]

Ben O'Connor words starting to take influence now.  Cork getting all the frees now.

[JollyGreenGiant]

Cork too that by the scruff of the neck into the second half. The goal puts a finer margin between the teams than there really was.

[johnnycool]

Waterford excellent odds at 4/1. Due to come out of Muster

Will you start backing Cork, so that they lose? 


Waterford are the unluckiest shower going, but they are a few players short of a good enough team to come out of Munster sadly.

Clare, yet again relying on Quilligan to pull off a great save in the dying minutes to repel the Waterford fightback.

They're defence as it currently stands will get ripped a new one by the reset of the teams in Munster unless they can shore it up somehow.

Tipp are a good bit short as expected, Maher looks a good bit of the levels he was last year and was probably fortunate Cork didn't play a whole pile of ball directly in there.
Tipp's touch is way off as well, and Cork being Cork will go to town on you if you're off it.

The final score flattered Tipp.