With the 2024 hurling season only over for a few days, let's try and rank who’s in the running for 2025 before a club championship ball is even thrown in.
1. Limerick
The green machine will be out for blood in 2025. Expect them to all be back next season as they look to reclaim their crown in a sort of last dance sort of vibe. Especially if you look at the milage on the clocks of a lot of these Limerick players they have been on the road since 2018 with little to no changes to the starting 15, apart from Shane O'Brien and Cathal O'Neill.
Gearoid Hegarty’s goal for @LimerickCLG in the @MunsterGAA SHC Final against Clare was a thing of beauty. GAANOW Rewind takes a look back at some of the most memorable moments of 2022. pic.twitter.com/1mf24aV3zD
— The GAA (@officialgaa) December 30, 2022
2. Clare
For the first time in 11 years, the Banner men are at the top of the pile. If they can keep all their key men and introduce some more players, they will be close to climbing up the Hogan stand again. However they still haven't beat Limerick in a big game yet so they would need to get that monkey off their back.
Tony Kelly with his magic wand. Floating on grass, dancing with a stick. pic.twitter.com/4mRb46qwaW
— Thomas Niblock (@thomasniblock) July 22, 2024
3. Cork
Some will argue that this is too low for a losing All-Ireland finalist team. But the bearpit that is Munster hurling as they have to travel to both Clare and Limerick next season makes their future involvement beyond the Munster championship an uncertainty. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back from losing the All-Ireland and will Hoggie go for another season to finally get his Celtic cross.
4. Kilkenny
The Cats will be disappointed with how they exited the championship. However, this ranking could look silly if TJ Reid decides to call it a day before 2025. As with their recent poor form at underage level the quality of talent coming through is a real issue for the Cats.
5. Galway
They have the players to challenge for top honours; now, the real question is, can they get a manager to bring it all together? The main aim for the Tribesmen would be to stop the Kilkenny dominance in Leinster and maybe claim a league title as a bonus.
SEE ALSO: Michael Duignean Claps Back Over Hurling Handpass Criticism From Former Referee
6. Waterford
The Déise proved this season that they have the players to challenge as they beat Cork and were unlucky in beating Clare. However, the next manager appointed will be key as we are entering the last chance saloon for a lot of these players, including the returning Austin Gleeson. Getting back into Division 1A next season is a must do for whoever is in charge.
Austin Gleeson buried a 21 yard free as @MountSionGAA defeated Passage in Round 1 of the @WaterfordGAA SHC 🏆
A ROCKET from Gleeson, who finished with 1-10 🚀👏
➡️ Full game available on https://t.co/8RTIDVIpju 🔗 pic.twitter.com/QGsBoBHlTL— Clubber (@clubber) July 23, 2024
7. Tipperary
Another ranking which could be made look silly if Liam Cahill and his Premier men can bounce back from last season’s disaster campaign. The Ballingarry man will be under pressure to deliver as its his third season in charge of his native county and with James Woodlock winning a second All-Ireland minor and Brendan Cummins coming close to winning an All-Ireland U20 you can't say there isn't potential replacements to pick from and that's not even including Darragh Egan and Darren Gleeson.
8.Wexford
With this Wexford team not getting any younger, the delivery time is urgent. Playing 1A league hurling will be a bonus, but it could be a tough few months if a few results go against them. A Leinster push and 1A safety would be a great season for Keith Rossiter side.
Lee Chin adds his and Wexford's second goal of the day! #GAAGO pic.twitter.com/LNwyx1RH1f
— GAAGO (@GAAGO) April 27, 2024
9. Dublin
The future of the beaten Leinster finalists all depends on whether they keep hold of Michéal Donoghue for 2025 and if they can expect another push for Leinster glory. The Dubs will be battling it out with Waterford to get into division 1A but if Donoghue can get the blend of U20's and his senior stars they have a nice team to challenge.
10. Offaly
If you’re an Offaly fan, what do you take (A) Liam McCarthy's status for 2026 or (B) retaining the All-Ireland U20 title? That will be the challenge of senior manager Johnny Kelly and U20 boss Leo O’Connor to decide.
Adam Screeney 😍😍 pic.twitter.com/ZflZoWQrsA
— GAA BEO TG4 (@GAA_BEO) May 22, 2024
11. Antrim
How will the Ulster men cope without Darren Gleeson? Don’t get me wrong, they have the Galatasaray of hurling in Corrigan Park, but if they make the wrong appointment, that won’t matter, and Joe McDonagh hurling could be in their plans for 2026.
