Below is a group-by-group preview of the Senior A and B hurling competitions, and a few predictions on each group.
Senior A Championship
Group 1
If anyone other than St Thomas’ tops this group, it would be a serious upset. While their dominance, that concluded with six-in-a-row, ended last year, they remain a fearsome outfit. Their rivals Gort have history with them - not least Damien McGlynn’s dramatic late goal last year that sent Gort spiralling into the relegation zone - but Thomas’ still have the edge.
Athenry, building smartly under Niall Sunderland, have a Senior B title to show for their efforts and boast renewed confidence. Moycullen, who avoided the drop last year in the semis, are still developing. They can call upon the likes of Diarmuid Davoren and Colm Cunningham and will be hoping to make a statement. Motivated, I’m sure, to see ex-coach John Hardiman on the line for his native club in Round One.
Prediction: 1. St Thomas’, 2. Athenry, 3. Gort, 4. Moycullen
Group 2
This compact, hyper-local group will feel like a series of derbies. Loughrea, newly crowned champions for only the third time in their history, are led by the astute Tommy Kelly and should top the pile with the minimum of fuss on all known form. Kilconieron have been quietly developing good young players, but their real chances likely lie in Rounds 2 and 3.
Craughwell and Killimordaly are both capable of bloodying noses. Especially if Galway teammates Tom Monaghan and Brian Concannon light up their head-to-head. Whoever wields the greater influence could play a big role in claiming two invaluable points for their side.
Prediction: 1. Loughrea, 2. Craughwell, 3. Killimordaly, 4. Kilconieron
Group 3
This group is stacked. The headline opener between Turloughmore and Clarinbridge could set the tone for either's season. Turlough, fresh from a league title and still smarting from their controversial quarter-final exit to St Thomas’ last year, are among the most balanced squads in the championship. Clarinbridge, too, have been on the cusp in recent seasons and should be well primed. Evan Niland, in particular, will be out to prove a point after limited game time with Galway.
Castlegar, who came agonisingly close to upsetting Loughrea last year, should not be overlooked. Had their accuracy been better, who knows how far they could have gone. Ardrahan, meanwhile, face a fascinating opening battle versus Cashel - now coached by their own clubman, Joe O’Leary. Expect fire in that one.
Prediction: 1. Turloughmore, 2. Clarinbridge, 3. Castlegar, 4. Ardrahan
Group 4
Without question, the “Group of Death.” Cappataggle, last year’s finalists, finally broke their semi-final jinx and pushed Loughrea all the way in the decider. Their opener against Tommy Larkins could be one of the ties of the round. Jason Flynn is another who will be eager to showcase his ability.
Oranmore-Maree experienced heartbreak in 2024 - seconds from topping their group before a late Sarsfields goal instead dumped them into relegation. Fittingly, they open this year’s campaign against Sarsfields, with retribution surely front of mind. Every team here is dangerous, and whoever advances will be hardened by the battle.
Prediction: 1. Sarsfields, 2. Cappataggle, 3. Tommy Larkins, 4. Oranmore-Maree
Senior B Championship
Group 1
This section is finely balanced. Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, fresh from a deep All-Ireland run, bring momentum, experience and astute leadership in Mattie Kenny. They will open against neighbours Kilnadeema-Leitrim, whose youthful squad makes them a dangerous dark horse.
Ballinderreen were arguably the most in-form team in last year’s group phase, while Liam Mellows, though inconsistent, have the pedigree and pride to bounce back. Calling anything with any degree of confidence is a fool’s errand here.
Prediction: 1. Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, 2. Kilnadeema-Leitrim, 3. Liam Mellows, 4. Ballinderreen
Group 2
Last year’s beaten finalists Portumna, led by Joe Canning, will be hungry for another shot at promotion. But their Round 1 tie against Ahascragh-Fohenagh, themselves containing the exceptional Cathal Mannion, will be a close one.
Pádraig Pearses are outsiders in this one, but you can never question their commitment to the cause. But against Mullagh, have they enough to shut down Conor Dolphin and the Glennon brothers, Ronan and Davy?
Prediction: 1. Mullagh, 2. Portumna, 3. Ahascragh-Fohenagh, 4. Pádraig Pearses
