County championships are kicking into gear across the country as the club season slowly but surely takes flight.
Hurling champions have already been crowned in Louth, Carlow and Kerry with St Fechins, St Mullins and Abbeydorney taking the spoils.
The north Kerry side were one of the years' first county champions ending a 50 year wait for the Neilus Flynn Cup.
A James Doyle-inspired St Mullins overcame Mt Leinster Rangers in the Carlow final despite Chris Nolan's best efforts - he hit 2-5 from play in defeat in the replay - while in Louth, St Fechins honoured the memory of their late manager Niall 'Trigger' MacEnaney, lifting the cup for a fourth year in succession with Patrick Lynch the star of the show.
The Waterford championship is already at the semi-final stage with Ballygunner closing in on a remarkable 11th title in succession.
Their quarter final win over De La Salle last weekend extended their winning streak to a scarcely believable 56 games in a row in the Déise. There is a lot more hurling to be played in the majority of the other championships.
See our predictions below.
Kilkenny:
Prediction: Ballyhale Shamrocks
Runners-up: O'Loughlin Gaels
Shamrocks have endured a typically topsy-turvy start in the League championship, losing disappointingly to Graigue Ballycallan before defeating Erin's Own.
A laboured start is nothing new for them and while the challenge of O'Loughlin Gaels will be considerable, especially with the addition of Kerryman Fionán Mackessy, Shamrocks are tipped to win out, with a Tommy Walsh managed Tullaroan fancied to go a long way as well.
Tipperary:
Prediction: Kiladangan
Runners-up: Kilruane MacDonaghs
Kiladangan have contested four of the last five Tipperary finals, winning two, and they are tipped to win a third.
They are evidently the most consistent team in the Premier County and were very unlucky not to progress in Munster last year, having had two players sent off against Clonlara.
2022 Champs Kilruane found themselves in relegation trouble last year but survived, and have made a strong start to this campaign. Loughmore-Castleiney should also be in the reckoning.
Limerick:
Prediction: Doon
Runners-up: Kilmallock
Doon signalled their intent bringing former Waterford manager Derek McGrath on board and they've made a fast start to the group, beating two of the top dogs Kilmallock and Patrickswell.
Adam English has been firing for a team that has a plethora of talent in its ranks, including Darragh O'Donovan.
Kildare:
Prediction: Naas
Runners-up: Maynooth
Naas have won five-in-a-row and it looks like there is more to come.
Laois:
Prediction: Rathdowney Errill
Runners-up: Camross
A Paddy Purcell and Ross King inspired Rathdowney Errill clipped the wings of reigning champs Camross in the group stages last month and they'll be hoping to use it as a springboard.
A revitalised Clough Ballacolla shouldn't be discounted either.
Wexford:
Prediction: St Martin's
Runners-up: St Anne's
Rory O'Connor is in red-hot form for St Martin's who will be desperate to get back on top having gone five years since their last triumph. His array of points against Faythe Harriers a fortnight ago was a sight to behold.
Rory O'Connor, @StMartinsGAA wins his second @glenfuels Player of the Week- he gave an outstanding display in his side's victory over the Faythe Harriers in Round 3 of the @PettittsSuperV Senior Hurling Championship. pic.twitter.com/cKk6bqgyMs
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) August 12, 2024
St Anne's Rathangan appear to be focusing heavily on the hurling this year as opposed to the football, and are tipped to reach another final.
Cork:
Prediction: Blackrock
Runners-up: Imokilly
Blackrock edged St Finbarrs in their heavyweight clash in the group stages recently, and will be hopeful they can stay on top.
Reigning champs Sarsfields will have a big say as will the Imokilly divisional side who haven't reached the final in four years.
Alan Connolly in action for Blackrock vs Sarsfields. Sportsfile.
Clare:
Prediction: Clonlara
Runners-up: Ballyea
Clonlara have already got one over on Ballyea in the group stages which is a positive early sign in their two-in-a-row bid.
A Tony Kelly inspired Ballyea shouldn't be ruled out and have already got back in track, defeating Clooney-Quin on Friday night.
Waterford:
Prediction: Ballygunner
Runners-up: Mount Sion
It's 56-not-out for Ballygunner and while they haven't been on top form, Dessie Hutchinson and Philip Mahony are now back in situ.
That should be enough to see them through to another provincial campaign.
Westmeath:
Prediction: Clonkill
Runners-up: Raharney
Luke Loughlin's sensational one-handed goal helped Clonkill to a 4-16 to 1-23 win over the reigning champs in the group stage last weekend and they'll be hoping to build on that momentum.
This brilliant goal from Luke Loughlin helped Clonkill edge past Raharney by 2 points, 4-16 to 1-23, in a thrilling Slevins Coaches Senior A Hurling Championship Round 3 encounter at TEG Cusack Park this afternoon.#westmeathgaa#whclubchamp2024 pic.twitter.com/uzkI50vwb0
— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) August 18, 2024
Dublin:
Prediction: Na Fianna
Runners-up: Kilmacud Crokes
A young Na Fianna side are expected to go back-to-back having won their first ever title last year.
The Curries and AJ Murphy make for a daunting proposition for any defence though Kilmacud Crokes will push them close, with the teams having drawn in the group stages recently.
Down:
Prediction: Portaferry
Runners-up: Ballycran
Portaferry can maintain their recent stranglehold on the competition.
Antrim:
Prediction: Dunloy
Runners-up: Ruairí Óg
Dunloy never got going last year but the firepower of Conal Cunning and Keelan Molloy in particular can get them back on track.
Derry:
Prediction: Slaughtneil
Runners-up: Kevin Lynch's
Slaughtneil are in pursuit of a 12th successive crown and the dozen looks likely.
Galway:
Prediction: St Thomas'
Runners-up: Loughrea
It's very hard to bet against the All-Ireland champions who began their seven-in-a-row quest in flying fashion with a convincing win over Killimordaly.
All-Ireland hero Eanna Burke picked up where he left off with 1-6 from play. Loughrea and in-form Turloughmore will more than likely be the biggest threats.
Offaly:
Prediction: Kilcormac Killoughey
Runners-up: Ballinamere Durrow
The Special Ks have swept up all before them with three comprehensive wins from three games so far.
Their depth of young talent is incredible with the likes of Adam Screeney, Charlie Mitchell, the Kavanaghs, Ter Guinan and co. expected to lead them into a period of dominance.
A similarly youthful Ballinamere Durrow may be prove the best of the rest.
Meath
Prediction: Kilmessan
Runners-up: Kildalkey
It's a very open championship with Trim, Kildalkey and Kilmessan all showing well in the early rounds. Kingpins Kilmessan might just be nicely poised for a first victory since 2013.
Wicklow
Prediction: Bray Emmetts
Runners-up: Carnew Emmetts
Six-in-a-row-seeking Bray Emmetts are unbeaten in the group stages as are Carnew Emmetts. It's already set for a show-down between those two, with Bray tipped to repeat the dose from last year.
Mayo
Prediction: Tooreen
Runners-up: Ballyhaunis
It would be a big surprise if the beaten All-Ireland finalists from 2022 don't make it four-in-a-row in Mayo.
Tyrone:
Prediction: Éire Óg Carrickmore
Runners-up: Eoghan Ruadh Dungannon
The kingpins should win their fifth title in a row.
Donegal:
Prediction: Setanta
Runners-up: Burt
The Ulster champions are going for three county championships in a row.
Armagh
Prediction: Middletown Na Fianna
Runners-up: Keady
The six in a row is on for Middletown.
Monaghan
Prediction: Castleblayney Faughs
Runners-up: Inniskeen Grattans
Kingpins Castleblayney are reeling after losing last year's final to the Grattans by a point and that hurt might just inspire them to another triumph.
Roscommon
Prediction: Four Roads
Runners-up: Athleague
Four Roads have plenty of young talent and should make it four in a row.
Sligo
Prediction: Naomh Eoin
Runners-up: Easkey Sea Blues
The O'Kelly Lynch brothers can bring Naomh Eoin to the promised land after four final losses in a row at the hands of Easkey.
Longford
Prediction: Longford Slashers
Runners-up: Wolfe Tones
The Slashers are on form and might just make up for two final losses in a row.
Leitrim:
Prediction: Cluainín Iomáint
Runners-up: Carrick hurling
Cluainín have lost the last two finals and will be gunning to get back on top.
