LIGHT AND SHADE AT HURLING’S TOP TABLE
With one round to go in the Allianz Hurling League, a clear picture has already emerged. The positives and negatives then so far for every team in Division 1…
GROUP A CLARE
POSITIVES: The only unbeaten team in Division 1 after four rounds — apart from Limerick. Top of Group A and looking on course for the semi-finals after already securing a place in the new seven team Division 1A for 2025 by virtue of a top-three group finish.
Adam Hogan continues to bolster his reputation at cornerback, Conor Leen has staked a starting claim while Seán Rynne and Keith Smyth give Clare further options around the middle and up front.
NEGATIVES: No sight yet of Tony Kelly and still just a vague prognosis on any possible return. David McInerney and Ryan Taylor are two others on the rehab list but the sight of All-Star Shane O’Donnell doing some separate pre-match running drills at Cusack Park on Sunday is one source of encouragement.
Only one goal scored — the lowest of the 12 Division 1 teams — perhaps explained by those absentees.
KILKENNY
POSITIVES: Eight goals scored in four games to date — only Tipperary have found the net more in Division 1. And the fact that Wexford face Cork in the last round and will take points off each other means they will finish top three to be in Division 1A next year. Paddy Deegan being crowned Club Hurler of the Year shows the job he did at six for O’Loughlin Gaels and is a live option there, as well as midfield or half-forward.
NEGATIVES: Still so reliant on Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody and TJ Reid when it comes to the scoreboard. They need the likes of Billy Drennan to kick on.
WEXFORD
POSITIVES: To make the cut for the slimmed down Division 1A next season represents a hugely positive start to Keith Rossiter’s time in charge. Especially with so many regulars missing. Conor Foley has blossomed in the full-back line and Wexford have been playing with confidence and to a less restrictive gameplan. Kevin Foley has been freed from a sweeper role while Damien Reck has been dynamic at six. Cian Byrne, Séamus Casey and Richie Lawlor all led the inside line superbly against Waterford and add to attacking options.
NEGATIVES: The Model County need the likes of Lee Chin, Conor McDonald, Rory O’Connor and Diarmuid O’Keeffe back fit and firing to really make a push in Leinster.
CORK
POSITIVES: Alan Connolly’s hat-trick against Offaly gives Cork another serious scoring option to Patrick Horgan at full-forward. The sight of Darragh Fitzgibbon and Jack O’Connor back in electric form suggests a turning point as Cork got their running game back going to devastating effect.
Barring an unlikely set of results, they will officially seal the best fourth placed spot that guarantees top-flight status next year.
NEGATIVES: The jaw injury that put Mark Coleman out after he made such a big impact on his return. Still need to find a settled midfield – Brian Roche and Luke Meade started there on Sunday but will they be the pairing for the first round in Munster away to Waterford on April 21?
WATERFORD
POSITIVES: The reopening of Walsh Park was meant to be a positive but the crowds haven’t exactly come flocking back as Waterford have lost both home games to Clare and Wexford. At least Calum Lyons and Jamie Barron look back in top form.
NEGATIVES: An extensive injury list, not to mention Austin Gleeson’s sabbatical, hasn’t brightened the mood music around Davy Fitzgerald’s tenure, especially after a third defeat consigns Waterford to the second tier of League hurling next year. Compared as well to Ballygunner’s clear identity and playing style and their success as club kingpins, it’s hard to get a handle still on the county’s team’s gameplan.
OFFALY
POSITIVES: Being competitive against Kilkenny and Wexford. Eoghan Cahill’s ball-striking ability, married to the new wave of talent coming through.
NEGATIVES: The squad hasn’t the depth to cope with the glut of injuries and were badly exposed by Cork.
GROUP B LIMERICK
POSITIVES: Cian Lynch’s reappearance as playmaker and magician at number 11. Donncha Ó Dálaigh stepping up as a serious scoring option. The seamless manner in how different players have stepped in — and yet Limerick’s shape and structure remains so hard to beat.
NEGATIVES: Cathal O’Neill looked a superstar number six as a replacement to Declan Hannon against Dublin; less so against Tipperary when he turned over way too much ball. The fitness and availability of the Limerick captain remains an awkward imponderable.
TIPPERARY
POSITIVES: No other team in Division 1 has scored nine goals, showing how Tipp have found a way to prove there is life after the retirement of goal machine Séamus Callinan. Ronan Maher has been immense as captain and Craig Morgan and Conor Bowe have stepped up. Up front, Gearóid O’Connor has developed as a double-digit scorer.
NEGATIVES: Liam Cahill is still trying to figure out the conundrum that is beating Limerick.
GALWAY
POSITIVES: Conor Cooney’s sublime set-up for Conor Whelan’s goal against Dublin showed a player who is carrying on his superb form with All-Ireland club champions St Thomas’. Already guaranteed a place in Division 1A in 2025.
NEGATIVES: Conor Whelan and Daithí Burke’s costly red cards rule them out for the final round against Limerick this Saturday.
DUBLIN
POSITIVES: The return of Chris Crummey and Donal Burke add a bit of stardust to the starting 15. Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing is also a scoring forward for the future.
NEGATIVES: A second booking for Ronan Hayes was so unnecessary, at a time when Dublin had an extra man in the second half against Galway. Need to be more street smart and improve their conversion rate — missed chances were ruthlessly punished by Limerick.
WESTMEATH
POSITIVES: Made it tough for Limerick and Tipperary, two of the form teams of the League. David Williams has a massive 2-37 to his name, 2-6 of that from play. And the result against Antrim provides a badly-needed victory.
NEGATIVES: Just need to limit the damage when things start unravelling, Galway streaking away to inflict a 29-point defeat in round one.
ANTRIM
POSITIVES: Neil McManus has been raving about the young talent that is Cushendall clubman Joseph McLaughlin.
NEGATIVES: There’s no getting away from how the panel has been hollowed out by absentees, injuries and retirements — only 21 players togged out against Westmeath.