Hurling League 2026: The Full Breakdown.
Round 4 has sharpened everything.
In Division 1A, the middle has tightened, the bottom is under real pressure, and the performance levels are starting to matter as much as the points. In Division 1B, the promotion race is clarifying, while the relegation fight is turning into a weekly scrap.
Below is a fully corrected look at both divisions after Round 4, with updated scoring totals, followed by a full breakdown of all six Round 5 fixtures, including predicted winners and projected scorelines.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cork | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 6 | Final |
| 2 | Limerick | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 4 | Final |
| 3 | Tipperary | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | Kilkenny | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 4 | |
| 5 | Waterford | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 4 | |
| 6 | Galway | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | Relegated |
| 7 | Offaly | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -38 | 0 | Relegated |
Division 1A – Power Rankings (7 to 1)
7) Offaly – Competitive Patches, But Punished Heavily
Four defeats from four. 72 scored, 110 conceded. A -38 differential.
They lost 0-18 to 2-23 against Galway in Round 4, and while the margin was respectable for long spells, the game was controlled by Galway’s structure.
Key scorers:
- Adam Screeney 0-07 (0-05f)
- Brian Duignan 0-04
- Jack Clancy 0-02
The issue is not effort. It is defensive leakage and inability to sustain scoring bursts. In modern Division 1A hurling, if you are not hitting 22–24 regularly, you are constantly chasing.
Their scoring average sits at 18 per game. Their concession rate sits nearly 28. That is not survivable long term.
6) Galway – Stabilised but Not Yet Proven
The 2-23 to 0-18 win in Birr was essential.
Scoring returns:
- Cathal Mannion 1-08 (0-05f)
- Conor Whelan 1-01
- Aaron Niland 0-03
- Jason Rabbitte 0-03
- Colm Molloy 0-03
That’s spread. That’s balance.
More importantly, defensively they allowed just 18, and they now sit on 68 conceded across three games.
Their middle spine of Daithí Burke and Cillian Trayers controlled aerial contests, and they repeatedly transitioned cleanly off turnovers.
But they still sit on one win. Round 5 will define whether they are stabilising or merely surviving.
5) Tipperary – High Output, High Concession
Tipperary’s profile is fascinating.
106 scored in four games. That is 26.5 per match.
106 conceded. Exactly the same.
They lost 0-36 to 0-21 to Limerick in Round 4. That was not just about margin. It was about control.
Scoring against Limerick:
- Darragh McCarthy 0-07 (all frees)
- Noel McGrath 0-06
- John McGrath 0-02 (frees)
- Eoghan Connolly 0-02
- Singles from Kenneally, Morris, Ryan, Stakelum
No score from play until deep into the first half. That tells you the midfield battle was lost comprehensively.
They remain on four points. They remain in the mix. But the balance between attack and defensive stability must improve.
4) Waterford – Close, Competitive, Not Ruthless Enough
1-21 to 1-20 defeat to Kilkenny.
Waterford’s scoring leaders:
- Seán Walsh 1-02
- Stephen Bennett 0-05
- Seán Mackey 0-03
- Jamie Barron 0-02
- Shane Bennett 0-02
They are now on 89 scored, 94 conceded.
They create chances. They score at 22.25 per game. But they concede 23.5.
Their defensive phases are solid for long stretches, but small lapses cost them. At this level, that is the difference between six points and four.
3) Kilkenny – Grinding Into Form
Kilkenny’s win over Waterford showed composure.
Key returns:
- Martin Keoghan 1-02
- Cian Kenny 0-07 (0-06f)
- Eoin Cody 0-02
- Liam Moore 0-02
- David Blanchfield 0-02
They now sit at 66 scored, 68 conceded.
They are not scoring freely like Cork or Clare, but they are finding ways to win tight matches.
Nowlan Park in Round 5 against Cork is season-defining.
2) Limerick – The Standard Reasserted
0-36 to 0-21 against Tipperary.
Scorers:
- Aidan O’Connor 0-11
- Shane O’Brien 0-06
- Peter Casey 0-04
- Adam English 0-03
- Hegarty, Gillane, Tom Morrissey, Ó Dálaigh all contributing
12 scorers total.
They forced turnovers relentlessly. They strangled midfield supply. They punished every loose possession.
85 scored, 67 conceded.
When they operate like this, they remain the most complete side in 1A.
1) Cork – Still the Benchmark
Unbeaten. 89 scored. 66 conceded.
They have beaten top-end opposition already and carry the strongest scoring differential.
They combine defensive shape with attacking layers. They do not rely on one scorer. They do not fade late.
Nowlan Park is the biggest test of their league so far.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clare | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 8 | Final |
| 2 | Wexford | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 7 | Final |
| 3 | Dublin | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 3 | |
| 4 | Kildare | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -9 | 2 | |
| 5 | Antrim | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -12 | 2 | |
| 6 | Carlow | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -13 | 2 | Relegated |
| 7 | Down | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -41 | 0 | Relegated |
7) Down – Struggling To Contain Damage
Down’s record is blunt:
- 0 wins
- 3 defeats
- 54 scored
- 95 conceded
That’s 18 scored per game. That’s 31.6 conceded per game.
The defensive concession rate is the highest in the division. Clare hit 3-35 against them earlier in the campaign. That kind of damage destroys confidence.
Where Down are struggling:
- Opposition goal conversion
- Defensive shape under repeated pressure
- Lack of sustained scoring runs
They have had moments of competitiveness early in games, but when matches move into the 40–60 minute phase, they are conceding bursts of 5 or 6 unanswered scores.
To survive, they must:
- Keep Round 5 under 22 total conceded
- Take goal chances early
- Turn games into scrappy contests
Right now, the data says they are most vulnerable.
6) Carlow – Honest But Not Controlling Matches
Carlow’s numbers:
- 60 scored
- 73 conceded
- -13 differential
They have shown scoring capability in patches. But they are conceding too easily when games stretch.
Against Antrim in Round 4:
- Conceded 0-25
- Allowed 14 different scoring returns
- Lost second-half control
They rely heavily on:
- Martin Kavanagh for frees
- Individual bursts rather than structured scoring
Their issue is not effort, it is defensive durability. When opposition middle thirds get on top, Carlow are conceding 4–5 point streaks without reply.
They remain competitive enough to stay in touch with the middle pack, but defensively they are trending downward.
5) Antrim – Signs of Life
Antrim’s Round 4 win was critical.
82 scored in four games.
94 conceded.
Before Round 4, they were trending towards relegation territory. The 0-25 to 0-12 win over Carlow changed the psychological landscape.
Key scoring contributors:
- Seaan Elliott 0-08 (5f)
- Conal Cunning 0-06
- Keelan Molloy 0-03
- James McNaughton 0-02
- Multiple secondary scorers
That spread matters.
However, the defensive concession rate remains 23.5 per game.
The positive:
- They are now generating 25+ in games
- They are getting midfield scoring
- They have more options beyond frees
The concern:
- When they lose midfield territory, they concede heavily
- Their defensive structure still collapses in transition
They are climbing, but the defensive floor still needs raising.
4) Kildare – Better Than Their Record
Kildare’s scoring numbers are stronger than their table position suggests.
63 scored in three games.
That’s 21 per game.
Against Clare in Round 4:
- 3-14 (23 total)
- Two goals from Jack Sheridan
- 1-00 from Cathal McCabe
They are one of only two teams in the division regularly threatening multiple goals per game.
Their issue is defensive concentration.
72 conceded in three games.
24 per game.
But their differential is not catastrophic. They are competitive in every match.
What separates them from the top two:
- Conceding scoring bursts late
- Missing second-half frees in tight games
- Losing midfield dominance under pressure
If they tighten their defensive numbers by even 3 points per game, they are in promotion contention.
3) Dublin – Explosive But Unstable
Dublin are the most volatile side in 1B.
81 scored in three games.
That’s 27 per game.
68 conceded.
22.6 per game.
Their Round 4 draw:
4-19 to 3-22 against Wexford.
They scored 31.
They conceded 31.
Scoring profile:
- Dónal Burke 1-09
- John Hetherton 2-00
- Cian O’Sullivan 1-01
That is championship-level output.
Their problem is control.
They have:
- Red cards
- Black cards
- Concession spikes
- Defensive instability in broken phases
But their ceiling is second only to Clare in 1B.
If they keep 15 on the field and reduce concession bursts, they are promotion contenders.
If not, they remain unpredictable.
2) Wexford – Efficient And Structured
Wexford are unbeaten:
3 wins, 1 draw.
108 scored.
95 conceded.
That’s 27 scored per game.
23.75 conceded per game.
Their Round 4 draw at Croke Park was hard-earned.
Scoring returns:
- Simon Roche 0-10 (0-08f)
- Kevin Foley 2-00
- Lee Chin 1-01
- Conor Hearne 0-03
- Secondary spread
They are consistent.
They are not chaotic like Dublin.
They are not defensively loose like Antrim.
They are not reliant on one scorer.
Their issue?
They allow high totals.
Conceding 31 to Dublin is a warning sign.
But they are disciplined, balanced, and tactically coherent.
Right now, they are the most reliable challenger to Clare.
1) Clare – Clear Pace-Setters
134 scored in four games.
33.5 per game.
85 conceded.
21.25 per game.
+49 differential.
Those are dominant numbers.
Against Kildare in Round 4:
- 0-27 scored
- No goals required
- Tony Kelly 0-08
- Mark Rodgers 0-07
- Multiple contributors
Earlier:
- 3-35 against Down
- 2-30 against Antrim
They can:
- Win shootouts
- Win grind matches
- Win away from home
- Win without green flags
Their scoring spread is elite.
Their defensive concession rate is lowest in the division.
Their differential is nearly quadruple the next highest.
Promotion favourites.
Clear.
ROUND 5 PREVIEWS – FULL BREAKDOWN
Galway v Waterford
Pearse Stadium
This is a pivot game for both counties.
Galway – What the Data Says
Galway’s 2-23 to 0-18 win over Offaly was built on control and spread.
- Cathal Mannion 1-08 (0-05f)
- Conor Whelan 1-01
- Jason Rabbitte 0-03
- Aaron Niland 0-03
- Colm Molloy 0-03
They hit 29 points total and conceded just 18.
Across three games:
- 72 scored
- 68 conceded
They are not explosive, but they are balanced.
Key observation: Galway are strongest when Mannion is not isolated. In Birr, he roamed, linked, and finished. When he becomes static, their attack narrows.
Defensively, Daithí Burke and Cillian Trayers handled direct ball well. Waterford will not be as predictable as Offaly.
Waterford – What the Data Says
Waterford lost narrowly 1-21 to 1-20 to Kilkenny.
Scorers:
- Seán Walsh 1-02
- Stephen Bennett 0-05
- Seán Mackey 0-03
- Jamie Barron 0-02
- Shane Bennett 0-02
They created 1-20. That’s 23 total. They conceded 24.
Their issue is game management. They drift in 6-8 minute spells where opposition run 4 or 5 without reply.
They are conceding 23.5 per game.
Tactical Pressure Points
- If Galway keep this under 22 conceded, they win.
- If Waterford hit 24+, they likely win.
- Mannion v Iarlaith Daly zone will matter.
- Stephen Bennett’s supply line must be disrupted early.
Prediction
Galway at home, slightly stronger defensively.
Galway 1-22
Waterford 0-21
Offaly v Limerick
Glenisk O’Connor Park
On paper this is a mismatch. On numbers, it is even clearer.
Offaly – Reality Check
72 scored in four games. 110 conceded.
Against Galway:
- 0-18 scored
- 29 conceded
Adam Screeney remains their primary outlet with 0-07 last time. Brian Duignan hit 0-04 but was quiet until the second half.
Their scoring ceiling this year has been 21 in one game. They are averaging 18.
Limerick – Structural Dominance
0-36 to 0-21 over Tipperary.
Twelve scorers:
- Aidan O’Connor 0-11
- Shane O’Brien 0-06
- Peter Casey 0-04
- Adam English 0-03
- Four others 0-02 each
They are not reliant on one man.
They forced turnovers repeatedly and scored directly from transition.
Their average is 28.3 per game.
Key Matchup
If Offaly go long and direct, Limerick’s half-back line feast.
If Offaly try to play through lines, Limerick’s middle swarm will squeeze.
Offaly must break structure and take goal chances early to have any chance.
Prediction
The gap in scoring ceiling is too wide.
Offaly 0-19
Limerick 2-28
Kilkenny v Cork
UPMC Nowlan Park
This is the match of the round.
Kilkenny – Measured and Ruthless Late
1-21 scored against Waterford.
Martin Keoghan 1-02
Cian Kenny 0-07 (0-06f)
Eoin Cody 0-02
Liam Moore 0-02
David Blanchfield 0-02
They are averaging 22 per game.
They are not overpowering teams. They are outlasting them.
Nowlan Park games tend to slow into arm wrestles.
Cork – Best Offensive Profile in 1A
89 scored in three games. That’s 29.7 per game.
They have:
- Multiple scorers
- Defensive stability (22 conceded per game)
- Balance across lines
They do not rely on a single shooter.
The question: can they handle the squeeze?
Tactical Themes
- If Cork keep this above 25 scored, they win.
- If Kilkenny drag it below 23 total, they win.
- Cian Kenny’s frees v Cork discipline will be decisive.
- Cork must prevent a Kilkenny goal.
Prediction
Cork’s scoring depth edges it.
Kilkenny 1-20
Cork 1-24
Division 1B – Round 5 Full Preview
Antrim v Dublin
Pearse Park, Dunloy
Antrim – First Win Secured
0-25 scored against Carlow.
Seaan Elliott 0-08
Conal Cunning 0-06
Keelan Molloy 0-03
82 scored in four games. 94 conceded.
They are capable offensively but fragile defensively.
Dublin – Firepower Real
4-19 against Wexford.
Dónal Burke 1-09
John Hetherton 2-00
Cian O’Sullivan 1-01
They have scored 81 in three games.
They are averaging 27 per game.
Key Battle
If Dublin get Hetherton isolated inside, they cause chaos.
If Antrim slow the game and keep it under 22, they stay alive.
But Dublin’s scoring ceiling is higher.
Prediction
Antrim 1-19
Dublin 2-23
Down v Kildare
McKenna Park
Down – Defensive Concerns
54 scored. 95 conceded.
They are averaging just 18 per game and conceding 31+.
They need a low-scoring game.
Kildare – Dangerous Going Forward
3-14 against Clare.
Jack Sheridan 2-04
Cathal McCabe 1-00
Gerry Keegan 0-03
63 scored in three games.
They can score goals.
Prediction
If Kildare hit one goal, they win. If they hit two, it’s comfortable.
Down 0-18
Kildare 1-24
Carlow v Clare
Dr Cullen Park
Carlow
60 scored, 73 conceded.
Competitive but conceding heavy bursts.
Clare – Elite Balance
134 scored in four games. 33.5 per game average.
Tony Kelly 0-08
Mark Rodgers 0-07
Senan Dunford 0-03
Ryan Taylor 0-03
They can win without goals.
They can win shootouts.
They can win arm wrestles.
Prediction
Carlow will compete early. Clare depth takes over late.
Carlow 0-20
Clare 2-27
Final Assessment
Division 1A is tightening at the top. Cork and Limerick are separating. Kilkenny are lurking. Tipperary are volatile. Galway are stabilising. Waterford are competitive but fragile. Offaly are under serious pressure.
Division 1B has clarity at the top with Clare. Wexford remain solid. Dublin are explosive. Kildare are improving. Antrim have life. Carlow and Down are battling to survive.
Round 5 will not decide finals.
But it will absolutely reshape trajectories.