Leinster
DUBLIN
Manager: Pat Gilroy (1st year)
Odds: All-Ireland 66/1; Leinster 11/1
AHL 1B: 4th, beat Laois and Antrim, lost to Limerick, Galway and Offaly
Fixtures: v Kilkenny, Parnell Park, 13th May, 2.0; v Wexford, Innovate Wexford Park, 20th May, 7.0; v Offaly, Parnell Park, 3rd June, 3.0; v Galway, Pearse Stadium, 9th June, 7.0
Five years on from the Leinster title and touching distance of an All-Ireland final, the alarming slide in fortunes has continued to the stage where the biggest match will be against Offaly to determine whether they're in next year's McDonagh Cup. Injuries to key forwards Eamonn Dillon and Donal Burke are a big concern and the limited engagement of Cuala players disappointing but the fixtures are well spaced and Pat Gilroy's project was never going to be short-term.
Influence
Eyebrows were raised when Conal Keaney returned to the fold at 35 and after two years' retirement but the physicality is undiminished and his experience important in an evolving team.
GALWAY
Manager: Micheál Donoghue (3rd year)
Odds: All-Ireland 11/4; Leinster evens
AHL 1B: 4th, beat Laois, Antrim, Dublin and Offaly, lost to Limerick
Fixtures: v Offaly, Bórd na Móna O'Connor Park, 12th May, 7.0; v Kilkenny, Pearse Stadium, 27th May, 4.0; v Wexford, Innovate Wexford Park, 2nd June, 5.0; v Dublin, Parnell Park, 9th June, 7.0.
Defending a first All-Ireland in 29 years brings its own challenges but trying to win a first in 29 years was the hard part. Even allowing that last year’s shock and awe campaign probably had to be modified and the team trained through the spring, league displays were nonetheless listless. After just two goals in the 2017 championship, scoring reduced even further with this season’s league total half of last year’s but the panel is in good shape.
Influence
At last Galway have meaningful championship matches at home with significantly, Kilkenny due in Salthill in three weeks. That enhances chances of both getting the campaign on track and a good finish.
KILKENNY
Manager: Brian Cody (20th year)
Odds: All-Ireland 4/1; Leinster 7/4
AHL 1A: 2nd and winners, beating Offaly, Wexford and Tipperary as well as in the divisional matches, Waterford, Wexford and Tipperary, lost to Cork and Clare.
Fixtures: v Dublin, Parnell Park, 13th May, 2.0; v Offaly, Nowlan Park, 20th May, 3.0; v Galway, Pearse Stadium, 27th May, 4.0; v Wexford, Innovate Wexford Park, 2nd June, 5.0.
Unexpectedly buoyant league saw a number of raw recruits settling in with more experienced campaigners for a satisfying final win over Tipp. It remains challenging though to replace the calibre of hurlers, who have retired. Michael Fennelly went after last year and another Hurler of the Year, Richie Hogan is recovering from a back injury. More positively Brian Cody has Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly back from overseas and the familiar, formidable work ethic in a tightened defensive structure.
Influence
TJ Reid’s scoring burden is immense. Last summer he scored four of Kilkenny’s five goals and accounted for 57 per cent of the total scores. This league in his six starts he scored 1-78 from 6-138 or 52 per cent.
OFFALY
Manager: Kevin Ryan (2nd year)
Odds: All-Ireland 500/1; Leinster 50/1
AHL 1B: 3rd, beat Laois and Dublin, lost to Limerick, Galway, Antrim and in quarter-final, Kilkenny.
Fixtures: v Galway, Bórd na Móna O'Connor Park, 12th May, 7.0; v Kilkenny, Nowlan Park, 20th May, 3.0; v Wexford, Bórd na Móna O'Connor Park, 26th May, 7.0; v Dublin, Parnell Park, 3rd June, 3.0.
Great start to league in Croke Park walloping of Dublin but tailing off a bit although it has been suggested that Kevin Martin targeted certain matches - Dublin, Laois in order to stay up and the quarter-final when they squeezed Kilkenny. That won't be as easy, as the pace quickens and they have to travel for what's likely to be the crunch relegation match with Dublin but that the conversation is live is a tribute to how far they've come.
Influence
In the league quarter-final the defence was excellent and conceded the smallest score of all Kilkenny's play-off opponents. Corner back Ben Conneely stood out not only on the day but throughout the campaign.
WEXFORD
Manager: David Fitzgerald (2nd year)
Odds: All-Ireland 14/1 and Leinster 11/2
AHL 1A: 3rd, beating Waterford, Cork, Clare and in quarter-final, Galway, lost to Tipperary, Kilkenny and in semi-final, Kilkenny.
Fixtures: v Dublin, Innovate Wexford Park, 20th May, 3.0; v Offaly, Bórd na Móna O'Connor Park, 26th May, 7.0; v Galway, Innovate Wexford Park, 2nd June, 5.0; v Kilkenny, Nowlan Park, 9th June, 7.0.
Critical second album for David Fitzgerald. Mixed signals so far: on the positive side the return to the top division went smoothly with comfortable survival and an exciting win over champions Galway. Against that there were indications that Kilkenny are beginning to get the hang of them after two wins, including a sizeable semi-final margin in Wexford. Fuss over Jack Guiney’s dropping wasn’t great mood music either but they’re likely to come to the table with more than they’ve shown.
Influence
Defensive solidity has remained surprisingly intact despite the step up from 1B last year. They ended with the lowest concession in 1A, just 0-3 more per match higher than in 2017.
Final: 1st v 2nd, Croke Park, 1st July, throw-in tbc.
Munster
CLARE
Manager: Gerry O'Connor and Donal Moloney (2nd year)
Odds: All-Ireland 11/1; Munster 6/1
AHL 1A: 4th, beating Tipperary and Kilkenny, lost to Cork, Clare and in quarter-final, Limerick
Fixtures: v Cork, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 20th May, 4.0; v Waterford, Cusack Park, 27th May, 3.30; v Tipperary, Thurles, 10th June, 2.0; v Limerick, Cusack Park, 17th June, 2.0.
It's gone quiet in Clare after a good start to the league culminated in the surreal eight-hour quarter-final in Limerick. It looks likely that David McInerney will revert to full back to add some pace to the inside line and tighten the defence. Tony Kelly and Colm Galvin is the old firm centrefield but firepower is questionable, dependent on Peter Duggan and optimising Shane O'Donnell's threat. At their best they're competitive but can they maintain the tempo over five weeks?
Influence
Very reliant on their first 15 with the highest number (nine) of players starting every league match. Their challenge flagged in later weeks. Can they sustain it better in the championship?
CORK
Manager: John Meyler (1st year)
Odds: All-Ireland 8/1; Munster 4/1
AHL 1A: 4th, beating Kilkenny and in relegation play-off, Waterford, lost to Wexford, Clare, Tipperary and Waterford.
Fixtures: v Clare, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 20th May, 4.0; v Tipperary, Thurles, 27th May, 2.0; v Limerick, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2nd June, 7.0; v Waterford, Thurles, 17th June, 2.0.
The air went out of Cork after last year's unexpected Munster title: losing the semi-final against Waterford, manager Kieran Kingston not too long afterwards and finishing bottom of the league. John Meyler's succession from within lent continuity and promising young talent from last year will be more experienced although the burden of expectation will be heavier. Winning the relegation play-off was a positive and as last year showed they're a momentum team, so a good start could ignite the championship.
Influence
Meyler recast the defence, using Eoin Cadogan at full back, and ever-present newcomer Tim O'Mahony at six. The latter's serious elbow injury means this needs revision, in Munster at least.
LIMERICK
Manager: John Kiely (2nd year)
Odds: All-Ireland 10/1; Munster 11/2
AHL 1B: Winners, beating Laois, Offaly, Dublin, Antrim, Galway and in quarter-final, Clare, lost semi-final to Tipperary.
Fixtures: v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 20th May, 2.0; v Cork, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2nd June, 7.0; v Waterford, Gaelic Grounds, 10th June, 2.0; v Clare, Cusack Park, 17th June.
In a county notoriously quick to lose the run of themselves, the team has already delivered something of substance this season. Years of languishing in 1B were ended with a 100 per cent campaign, beating All-Ireland champions Galway to promotion and taking Tipp to extra time in the semi-final. John Kiely has good panel depth and his under-21s are coming through. The question will be have they sufficient quality to make a serious impact? Instinct is that they have.
Influence
Under-age star Aaron Gillane has brought all his menace and scoring capacity intact to the main stage. A troublesome leg injury allowing, the potential for an outstanding rookie championship is there.
TIPPERARY
Manager: Michael Ryan (3rd year)
Odds: All-Ireland 11/4; Munster 6/5
AHL 1A: 1st, beating Waterford, Wexford, Cork and in quarter-final and semi-final Dublin and Limerick, lost to Clare, Kilkenny and in the final Kilkenny.
Fixtures: v Limerick, Gaelic Grounds, 20th May, 2.0; v Cork, Thurles, 27th May, 2.0; v Waterford, Gaelic Grounds, 3rd June, 4.0; v Clare, Thurles, 10th June, 2.0.
If last year's league final was a major pothole for Tipperary this year's looked more like the edge of a cliff. Another hapless defeat by Kilkenny was just what wasn't needed. Dilemmas abound: James Barry needs to regain form at full back; Ronan Maher at centrefield unbalances the half backs and where to put Michael Breen? On the upside the already sublime capacities of the full forwards were embellished in the league by Jason Forde's form. Making that count is the challenge.
Influence
Séamus Callanan returns just in time. His consistent Hurler of the Year credentials are desperately needed. Tends to regain form slowly after injury but now needs to hit the ground running.
WATERFORD
Manager: Derek McGrath (5th year)
Odds: All-Ireland 9/1; Munster 5/1
AHL 1A: 6th, beating Clare and Cork, lost to Wexford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and in relegation play-off, Cork.
Fixtures: v Clare, Cusack Park, 27th May, 3.30; v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 3rd June, 3.30; v Limerick, Gaelic Grounds, 10th June, 2.0; v Cork, Thurles, 17th June, 2.0.
In maybe his final year, Derek McGrath will try to juggle scarce resources to improve on last year's All-Ireland final. The separate departures of leading forward Shane and capable man marker Kieran Bennett weaken the team and the promising Conor Prunty has a calf injury. Austin Gleeson will probably recover from ligament damage and may be given a freer role, at wing back. Dependence on veterans Kevin Moran and Michael Walsh persists and busy schedules will pressurise the panel's questionable depth.
Influence
With no adequate venue, Waterford have to play their home matches elsewhere, including Tipp in the Gaelic Grounds where they have beaten them just once, in 1963. An unwelcome additional challenge.
Final: 1st v 2nd, 1st July, venue tbc, 2.0
