With the County Championship starting this Weekend, We fire out our first edition for 2023 across Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate,48 Teams,16 down to number 1 in each gradeIts a complex Algorithm based on current form shown in the divisions, last years form, players coming in, players injured or in America and who we are likely to get the most abuse from…
16.Roscrea
We have a few factors in having Roscrea, last years O’Riain Champions being here, one is the doubt that there is a gap starting to really widen between the Senior and the Premier Intermediate Clubs, this is backed up by Roscrea’s performance V Kiladangan in the North this month. Roscrea’s aim this year should be to survive and acclimatize at this level of Hurling and then push on with their Young Squad in the coming Years.
15.Templederry Kenyons
Last Years Relegation Finalists will hope not to be in the conversation this Year, the Forwards aren’t the issue with Seanie Ryan being worth the price of Admission alone, the defence is a worry and until they tighten it, doubts will persist.
14.Mullinahone
The Son of God back to where he started…in the goals. Can the gang be got back together in Mul for one final swing, the fact they seem to be now getting beaten in the South by Premier Intermediate teams on a regular basis has Us worried.
13.Toomevara
We can expect incoming fire having these lads at unlucky for some…,the 3 Ryan’s Alan, Kenny and Jason being unavailable leaves gaps,Mark McCarthy being suspended another, Kilruane might have too much for them in Round 1, but the remaining 2 games v Roscrea and Moycarkey both winnable, both loseable could see them move markedly in one direction or the other on our Power Rankings.
12.Moycarkey-Borris
Down Captain Pat Molloy already,Moycarkey have a must win v Roscrea in Round 1,We like the look of their defence with Tipp Keeper Rhys Shelly in fine form for the County, Can he translate it to Club?, Time for Eddie Brennan to deliver on the investment placed in him also.
11.Holycross
If We live long enough to put together the first edition of 2026 Senior Power Rankings, We expect Holycross to be a lot higher, Minor and U20 County Champions last Year ,they are a club headed in the right direction. For now though question marks about their ability to clock up scores has them pinned at 11.
10.Jk Brackens
Paddy Cadell a huge loss for the Templemore and Clonmore Crew, Pacey Combative and Athletic in equal parts, they will need to put away Mullinahone well in Round 1 to convince Us to place them higher next time round.
9.Drom&Inch
On paper Drom can aim for Dan, but need to up their form coming into the County Championship. Tommy Nolan, David Collins, Seamie Callanan and the mix of Campions if they can all click on their day, will score and trouble any team. A team no one will want to meet come knockout. A win v Brackens and Mullinahone is very likely to progress them from Group 1. And before all that could even take a Jake Morris Less Nenagh in Round 1 in Templemore this coming Saturday.
8.Loughmore Castleiney
You know Loughmore will be around come the business end, but may fall short with the dependency on the McGraths to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Noel in great form and worth the admission fee to see. Dark horses.
7.Borris-ileigh
Borris had a year they wont want to remember last year and it doesn’t get any better this Year so far, In the group of Death or Champions whichever you prefer to call it, Niall Kenny being gone is a big loss, the 2 McCormack’s being back right is an addition, they will need everyone as numbers could be an issue.
6.Upperchurch Drombane
The People’s choice to be Champions ?, A dual Club who came so close delivering on both fronts in 2022,Very unlucky to not win their first Mid Senior Title. Will give any team trouble in the group and can take great positivity from their run in the Mid and bring that form to the County championship.
5.Kilruane
Craig Morgan back, Kian O’Kelly not yet back, Beaten by Borrisoleigh in the North, this Weeks game v Toome could be razor edge tight,as per last years Quarter Final, Can Liam Cahill use the knowledge of the in-laws and even turn the head of the County’s Version of Greta Garbo, Jer Cahill?, Kilruane should be higher but given the fact there has been 6 Champions in 6 Years, We have them at 5 for now
4.Clonoulty Rossmore
8 in a row West Champions after giving Cashel a trimming, they arrive into the group of Death with a Preliminary Quarter Final Get of Jail Card already in the back pocket, We are of the belief that there’s more Hurling in them now than when they won Dan Breen in 2018.
3.Kiladangan
Missing Deccie McGrath and Tadhg Gallagher due to suspension in their North Final loss to Nenagh, their Rd1 Clash V Sars in the Stadium next Sunday will give us a steer as to where they really are at.
2.Thurles Sarsfields
The big Dog is lurking and ready to pounce should any of the leading contenders falter, Had a Good win in the Mid Final last Weekend, to grind out the game in closing stages V the ‘Church. Billy McCarthy showing well, which will no doubt be closely watched by Liam Cahill, along with Eoin Purcell & Aidan McCormack in the forwards.Good mix of youth both on the field and sideline.
1.Nenagh Eire Og
How many times have We been here before with the Capital of the North, the Mayo of Tipp Club Hurling, flattering to deceive before finding a different way to fall apart. We have however sensed a new approach to their play in the North Championship…. Doggedness and Workrate. Johnny Kelly knows how to win a Dan Breen but the health of Jake Morris is Key, If he can return as soon as possible, Maybe just Maybe the Frank McGrath will have the Company of the Dan Breen come Autumn time.
Check out the Full Rankings in this Week’s Podcast Episode where We delve further into the Rankings and Preview every one of the Round 1 Games on this Weekend across the 3 Grades.