Treaty remain top dogs but five are firmly in the All-Ireland race

Tipp and Waterford look under big pressure in hurling’s new world order

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner and I can hardly wait. What better time to assess the top five in the race for Liam MacCarthy with championship kickoff just a week away.

1. LIMERICK

They are still the top dogs with the ‘drive for five’ in their sights, and their panel depth has really been strengthened with the likes of Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Adam English and Fergal O’Connor stepping up to the plate.

Their system is yet to be broken and the Treaty trust their process no matter what’s thrown at them. They know how to get over the line in any circumstances and the opposition know that too.

It’s hard to pinpoint any real areas of weakness but the absence of Caroline Currid could yet be felt – she wasn’t there when they fell in 2019 either–while missing Darragh O’ Donovan for the opening two rounds is a fair blow.

Throw in Peter Casey’s suspension for the Clare game and that puts even more pressure on the opening two games for John Kiely’s men. They have been bulletproof so far but will the same freshness and hunger be there? Only time will tell.

2. CLARE

The best-placed side to dethrone Limerick with Brian Lohan building a serious panel that should be able to cope with Munster’s bruising demands.

There are new leaders emerging all over the pitch with the likes of Adam Hogan and Mark Rodgers taking the bull by the horns on the way to a league title.

That takes the pressure off Tony Kelly ahead of his imminent return and it was important to get the monkey off their back with a trophy. There is a feel-good factor around Lohan’s Banner and they must strike while the iron is hottest.

There are few chinks in their armour but the losses of Conor Cleary and John Conlon in recent seasons led to problems. The back-up looks better now, though, while 11 years without a win in Croke Park also needs to be laid to rest.

3. KILKENNY

The Cats are still a dangerous animal and they will have their usual say.

Having the best goalkeeper (Eoin Murphy), full-back (Huw Lawlor) and man-marker (Mikey Butler) is a huge asset for Derek Lyng, as well as the GOAT TJ Reid still doing the business at 36.

Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody are deadly forwards while Kilkenny still retain the belief that they can get the job done no matter who they face. There are big questions about the No 6 spot, and they need a commanding centre-back. That has hurt them when it really matters and they don’t seem to have found the solution with Paddy Deegan better on the wing.

4. GALWAY

They have been consistently getting to the last four in the past few seasons but the consistency stops there. It’s now or never for most of the class of 2017 if they want to get another Celtic Cross.

Henry She ff lin has quietly built a strong panel with the return of experienced heads like David Burke and Adrian Tuohey sprinkled with exciting youth in Gavin Lee and Declan McLoughlin.

They simply have to finally win Leinster while the return of Johnny Glynn can only be seen as a big plus with his aerial ability and power in reserve if needed.

We’re yet to really see the influence of Eamon O’Shea as coach but the summer sod is normally his playground and Conor Whelan’s form could hit an even higher level as a result. Shefflin also needs to settle on the spine of his defence, there was a lot of experimenting in the league but it’s time to nail it down now.

5. CORK

The Rebels look best placed to break into top four with Ciarán Joyce the game’s best No 6, while Alan Connolly’s return gives them a new attacking outlet. Their panel depth is strong with any substitutions unlikely to weaken their hand and Pat Ryan can call upon players who can change a game in no time.

It’s 19 years without Liam MacCarthy on Leeside, however, and that brings its own pressure. It’s also going to be a big ask for them to win it with three players over 30 starting in their forward line – Patrick Horgan (35), Séamus Harnedy (33) and Conor Lehane (31).

THE REST

Tipperary qualified last year but they were woeful against Clare in the league semi-final and new leaders need to emerge along with Jake Morris. Panel depth caught up with them in 2023 and that might well be their downfall again while Waterford’s form suggests an uphill task is ahead.

It’s a bad state of affairs that Cork supporterslook like out numbering us in Walsh Park next weekend but Water ford historically always deliver something when it’s least expected. Austin Gleeson’s absence is huge, though, while Wexford will have sights on a Leinster final appearance. They can produce it on a given day, particularly against Kilkenny, but backing that up is an issue.

Dublin put together some fine performances to make the All-Ireland quarter-final last year but there are more questions than answers around Micheál Donoghue’s men. Eoghan O’Donnell must be 100pc for them to fire and more support is needed for Dónal Burke in attack.

As for Carlow and Antrim, it’s all about survival.