Hard to believe the club hurling season is on us already again, with Round 1 of the Hurling Leagues throwing in this weekend. As always, it promises to be a very interesting competition. League form and Championship form are hard to tell apart with players away with the county so much, which will have an effect on some more than others.

Here’s our Power Ranking for 2025:

1. Na Fianna‍

AHL1 – 4 – SHC1 Champions

As reigning SHC1 champions, you’d have to give the nod to Na Fianna as the number one team in the county, even with some key players on Dublin duty. Even so, they’ve a very capable panel, with a couple of guys I’d have liked to see on the Dublin panel in young Stacy and Meagher, two very effective players for Na Fianna. A very experienced and talented group otherwise. Will be close to the top, you’d imagine.

2. Lucan Sarsfields‍

AHL1 – 2 – SHC1 Final

Runners-up in the league and Championship, Lucan really seem to be building on their recent underage success and feel like they’re getting a group of forwards together who could get them over the edge soon. Lost the final to Na Fianna by just 1 point. Will be looking to push on and use the league to get games into some of these young players.

3. Kilmacud Crokes‍

League Winners – AHL1 – 1 – SHC1 Q-Final

Seems wrong to have Crokes only 3rd on the list as league champions, but they are going to be missing a slew of lads away on Dublin duty. I know they can cope with absentees better than anyone, so they could well win the league again. Lost the semi-final to Na Fianna heavily (11 points) – just didn’t get going on the day and had some key injuries for that one.

On the plus side, we saw the return of Alex Considine and Davy Crowe last year after terrible runs with injuries. Hopefully both can get a good few games into them this spring and get back to where they were before.

4. Cuala‍

AHL1 – 3 – SHC1 Q-Final (AET NAF)

A strong season for Cuala last year, building a nice team out in Dalkey. 3rd in the league and took extra time for Na Fianna to see them off in the SHC1 quarter-final. Will be looking to use the league to bed in more players. Will be missing Conor Groarke, who has taken well to county level.

5. St Brigid’s‍

AHL1 – 5 – SHC1 Q-Final (Lucan)

A good season last year for Brigid’s, a very respectable 5th place in AHL1 and made the quarter-finals, where they lost to Lucan.

6. Ballyboden St Enda’s‍

AHL1 – 9 – SHC1 S-final (Lucan)

A poor enough league for Boden last year. Went on to finish third in their group (of the three big teams) in SHC1, but then beat Vinnies in the quarter-final after extra time and gave Lucan a good game in the semi-final. Still a very good team, but well off their five-in-a-row team now, which is looking like a distant memory.

7. St Vincent’s‍

AHL1 – 7 – SHC1 Q-Final (AET BBSE)

Had a poor enough league but made it to the quarter-finals in the SHC1. Not sure if the McBrides are around. Still seem to be short on quality forwards outside Hedgo. Very solid team otherwise, but he will be with Dublin.

8. St Jude’s‍

AHL1 – 6 – SHC1 RPOW

Finishing 6th in AHL1 was a solid league. Found the going in SHC1 tough, winning only one group game, but managed to avoid relegation, winning the play-off against O’Tooles. Callum Graham is an exciting prospect.

9. Naomh Barróg‍

AHL1 – 8 – SHC1 Q-Final (Crokes)

Had a credible enough league and also made the SHC1 play-offs for the first time in their history, which is some going. Will be missing Doyle and Gallagher now for the league, which might explain their change in fortunes between the two competitions last year.

10. Faughs‍

AHL1 – 10 – SHC2 Champions

Just about held on to AHL1 status last year but won SHC2, so will be looking for some of the younger players to drive on again this year.

11. Castleknock‍

Promoted from AHL2 – 1st – SHC2 Q-Final

Castleknock went well in league and Championship, albeit second tier in both. Have a couple of very good forwards in Boyle and Hogan, and Murray got a run with Dublin in the Walsh Cup. Will be in a scrap with Craobh, Jude’s, Faughs and Barróg to avoid the drop.

12. Craobh Chiarái

Promoted from AHL2 – 2nd – SHC1 Relegated

Promoted in the league and relegated in the Championship. They really struggled at times in SHC1, but I heard that young Newton and at least one other player have returned from Clontarf, so hopefully they can drive on now. Will still be in the scrap to avoid the drop, you’d imagine.

Round one Preview coming soon!