1. Tipperary
It is no huge surprise that the defending champs have been installed as bookies favorites. The premier county’s incredible performance in last years final ensured this was always going to be the case. Along with that fantastic win last September Tipperary added the u-21 crown a week later. As well as that no fewer than eight of the team which captured the Cross of Cahel Cup were part of Liam Sheedy’s panel in the historic win over Kilkenny, and while a successful U-21 team doesn’t always transfer to senior level, eg Limerick ’00,’01,’02, it does look good for the future. Tipp’s league form may not look outstanding having lost to both Dublin and Kilkenny but that will matter little come May 29th when they meet Cork,with only one thing on their mind….revenge. Price at the bookies 5/4.
Prediction: All Ireland Champions
2. Kilkenny
The Cats have received a lot of negative publicity since their shock defeat to Dublin in the League Final, some of this has been warranted but most has not. It’s incredibly to think this is the same Kilkenny team which many considered was unbeatable and the best team of all time up until last September. It is the same team that beat Limerick in the ’07 final without ever getting out of 2nd gear. It is the same team that destroyed Waterford in ’08 and it is the same team that beat Tipperary to claim their 4th title in a row in ’09, but maybe that is the problem. Thirteen of the players that were involved in the ’07 final were all so involved in the 2010 decider (Ryan, Hickey, Tyrrell, Walsh, Delaney, Fitzpatrick, Shefflin, Larkin, Brennan, Fogarty, Tennyson, Power and Fennelly). Have these players too many miles on the clock possibly but it would be very hard to see them not make at least the semi final . Price at the bookies 2/1
Prediction: Finalists
3. Galway
“On a good day they could win the All-Ireland but on a bad day they could lose to Carlow”. That is possibly an exaggeration but it is how people will feel about the tribesmen’s displays over the past 12 months. From winning last years league to being annihilated by Tipp last month it has been a rocky road for the westerners. Welcoming back the likes of Joe Canning and Damien Hayes will strengthen the side and the decision to call James Skehill and Kerril Wade into the panel will hopefully add some experience to the setup which completely imploded towards the latter end of the league. If you look at their narrow defeat to Tipperary in last year championship it is clear they have the talent but they will have to up their game massively if they want to have any hope of being in the shake up come September. Price at the bookies 7/1
Prediction: Semi finals
4. Cork
The mood on Lee side is uncharacteristically bleak but with just 2 league wins and no major success to speak of since 2005 this is hardly surprising. However the Rebels have an ace in their back pocket they were the only team to beat last years eventual champions and they will feel on their day it could happen again. No jersey will inspire these players to give it their all more than the sight of the blue and gold. Cork have probably one big game in them this year and nothing would make them happier than to leave Thurles with the bragging rights for another year. It may not be the Munster Final but to beat Tipp in Thurles is as good as any Munster Medal. Price at the bookies 10/1
Prediction: Quarter Finals
5. Waterford
Last years Munster champions will be relatively confident heading in to this years championship. The Déise men had a strong finish to the league with 2 wins in a row, they also beat Cork and played out an entertaining draw with Dublin on the first day of the league. After the heroics of last years Munster final Waterford’s All-Ireland chances came to a grinding halt when they were beaten by Tipperary in the semi final. Davy Fitzgerald used 34 players in the league, more than any other division one team it could be argued this provided him with a real insight as to where his strengths lie. However it may also be fair to say that he is not sure of his strongest 15. Price at the bookies 12/1
Prediction: Semi Finals
6. Dublin
“Come on you boys in blue!!”. Was sound that echoed around Croke Park as Johnny McCaffrey climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Dr. Croke Cup. This chant has been heard many times before as Dublin men have collected cups but never for the hurlers. The teams first major piece of silverware since 1939 has people of the capital finally believing in their team. Forty two thousand people turned out to watch them in the league final which was some five thousand more than came to see the footballers final a week before. This teams seems to have far more resilience and inner belief than their footballing counter parts. The “harder” Kilkenny came at them the better the Dubs performed. With Ryan Dwyer and Conal Keaney both contributing on the scoring board along with the ever reliable Dotsy O’ Callaghan this Dublin team could make a serious challenge this year. Dublin though will be without both Joey Boland and Thomas Brady for their opening round clash with Offaly. This game has been switched from Parnell Park to Croke Park due to public demand and it is this expectation that will prove Dublin’s biggest challenge this year. Price at the bookies 12/1
Prediction: Quarter Finals
7. Limerick
The division two league champions have had a year of extremes. They went through the 2010 league losing every one of their 7 games and being relegated to division two. Introduce Donal O’ Grady, having sorted out the internal fighting he lead the men from the Treaty county to 8 straight wins in a row and promotion to division one next year. This is a young team with nothing to fear, in Kevin Downes, Declan Hannon and Sean Tobin they have found young players who can score which has been a problem for Limerick for many years. On the other hand Limerick have been playing in division two and despite the fact they are unbeaten some of their performances most notably against Laois, and Down were less than satisfactory. The first real test this team will face is Waterford on the 12th of June in Thurles after that we will have a much clearer picture of where this team is headed. Price at the bookies 40/1
Prediction: Quarter Finals
8.Clare
The league final loss to Limerick will have hit this Clare side hard as it means they will be playing division two hurling again next year. They are a young side which is built around the All-Ireland winning team of 2009. Not much will be expected of this team this year but they said the same about the Clare team of 1995 and look what they did. Price at the bookies 66/1
Prediction: Qualifiers
9. Wexford- The only positive that can be taken from their league form is that they managed to avoid relegation. Hard to see them having any major impact on this years championship. 66/1
10. Offaly- The Faithful county have taken a massive step backward by being relegated to division two next year. Joe Dooley will be hoping after their league final win Dublin will have taken their eye off the ball which may give them some chance when the sides meet on the 29th of May. 100/1
11. Laois- Ran Limerick close and had a great win over Clare but still didn’t manage to make the league final.Would give Offaly or Wexford a good game should their paths cross but to expect anything else would be unrealistic. 400/1
12. Antrim– After knocking Dublin out of the Championship last year Antrim have achived very little since. They are 400/1 to win the All-Ireland for a reason.
13. Carow – Carlow finished sixth in Diversion two with three wins and four losses. They face Westmeath on May 22nd. This will be the Scallion Eaters most important game of the year, a win would see them meet Galway on the 4th of June. Carlow will fancy their chances against the men from the lake county having already beaten them in the league. It would be hard to see them go ant further though. Price at the bookies 1000/1
14. Westmeath – Finished bottom of division two, having lost seven out of seven it would be a surprise it they managed to beat Carlow. Price at bookies 2000/1
Predication: Qualifers
Paul Jenkins for Blog GAA BEO
Would it have been that much hassle to write a few lines about Carlow and Westmeath? Or will we just make it easier for you and drop out of the championship altogether? Would a Premiership writer disregard the bottom 2 newly promoted teams in their preview of next season? Very unprofessional.
@ D Walshe. thanks for your feedback regarding lack of content for both Carlow and Westmeath. This has now been amended. Hope you enjoy the site! Slán
2 points:
1. I can’t understand Waterford’s ranking in 5th place. Current Munster Champions, finished 3rd in the league (largely without regulars Mullane, M Shanahan, Molumphy, Murphy, Kelly, Browne, Moran, Kearney etc.). Never been beaten by Galway in the championship, can take Cork or Tipp almost any time.
2. Where are all the moaners who decry the league system saying that you can’t make progress from the second div. Yet div 2 teams, Limerick & Clare are (rightly) ranked above div 1 teams Offaly & Wexford???
much appreciated @gaabeo, may have been a bit hard on you! fantastic site and a firm favourite in my twitter feed!
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