After another eventful week in the Allianz National Hurling Leagues, we look at who’s thriving or surviving ahead of the Championship. Here's our power rankings with just one round left in the league.
For reference, here's the last edition of our Power Rankings, published two weeks ago.
11. Antrim
"I can’t get it right in f***ing two months." The words of Davy Fitzgerald after the win against Laois on Sunday, but can he get it right in 6 weeks? With their league campaign over, he now has time to build the siege mentality up in Belfast to prove all the doubters wrong and secure another season in Leinster.
10. Offaly
The talk of the Faithful county pushing for the top 3 in Leinster might be premature if they can beat the drop and go far in retaining their Leinster title and All-Ireland U20 titles after securing Division 1A hurling for 2026. Many people would call that success.
9. Dublin (Down 2)
The Niall Ó Ceallacháin bounce has effectively stalled after losing key games against Offaly and Waterford due to a lack of discipline.
On their day, they can beat anyone, but the lapses in concentration are killing them.
8. Wexford (Up 1)
Keith Rossiter would want to wrap Lee Chin in bubble wrap as any injury to him would cause Wexford big trouble. Since the former Leinster winner has returned from Australia, they have transformed into a totally different team.
After missing out on the top 3 last season in Leinster, Rossiter will take it.
7. Waterford (Up 1)
With Austin Gleeson and Tadhg de Búrca back, Waterford are like an old bank robbery team re-assembled for one more heist as they try to get out of the Munster round-robin.
Time will tell if being in Division 1B was a blessing or a hindrance for their Championship preparations. They beat Westmeath by 31 points on Suday.
6. Galway
Two 12-point hammerings mixed in with three wins on the bounce: Míchéal O’Donoghue’s return has been mixed.
It’s a toss of a coin to see if they make a Leinster final or fail to make the top 3. They were seriously outclassed at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.
SEE ALSO: 'That Is Not Acceptable To Us': Pat Ryan Unconcerned By 'Soft' Attitude Associated With Cork
5. Clare (Down 3)
If the Banner men had backed up their win against Limerick with another against Cork, they would have remained near the top of the pile.
With Shane O’Donnell gone for 2025 and their form turning on and off more than a tap, talk of the All-Ireland champs not getting out of Munster is becoming louder
4. Tipperary (Up 1)
Tipp might be back, but until a Liam Cahill side performs in the championship, I don’t think anyone can say wholeheartedly that they are.
The addition of the U20s has added a different dimension to their game this year, but can Tipp and co. Keep the momentum going?
3. Kilkenny
With the structure of the championship, you can’t have the Cats outside the Top 3 as the likelihood is they will once again win Leinster and be in an All-Ireland semifinal.
However, on current form, Derek Lyng's side is struggling with Adrian Mullen missing all the league through an injury and still relying on TJ Reid in attack. Kilkenny needs players from the All-Ireland U20 winning team to finally step up, as the 11-year Liam MacCarthy famine doesn’t look like it’s ending anytime soon
2. Cork (Up 2)
Speaking of famines, Cork's first national league title in 27 years is a real possibility.
It’s simple. Cork needs any national title at this stage, and a league could spark the possibility of ending the Liam McCarthy famine.
1. Limerick
Giving the younger lads game time while integrating the older players back in. John Kiely and co. are motoring along nicely, and with the possibility of Nickie Quaid being back for the tail end of the championship.
