2025 Allianz Hurling League 1B League Preview

Given the proposed league structure changes, the Allianz Hurling League 1B campaign has added significantly. Two teams promoted to the much coveted 1A ranks, two teams significantly relegated to 2A ranks which would be a disaster in terms of county hurling development. Hawkeye Sidekick looks ahead to a fascinating league campaign.

Antrim

The Davy Fitzgerald era starts in the Saffron county. Fitzgerald replaces Darren Gleeson who enjoyed an excellent tenure with the county making Corrigan Park into a fortress with some keynote wins.

This season poses new challenges with some keynote departures. Conor McCann has stepped aside from the setup this year. Neil McManus retirement means that others will need to lead by example.

Paddy Burke, James McNaughton and Keelan Molloy will need to set the tone early but the opening day fixture against Dublin looks quite ominous. Antrim’s trip to Limerick a few weeks ago saw a heavy loss against an experimental Limerick outfit.

This is a league campaign where both Fitzgerald and team will be in learning mode. The media will not be far behind if soundbites come from the manager at any point. Are Antrim prepared for the media publicity with the county? We will soon find out. Staving off relegation appears the aim for the league.

Carlow

Relegated to Joe McDonagh this season, it will be interesting to see how Carlow approach the league. A team who do not shy away from playing direct and fast hurling into the likes of Doyle and Kavanagh.

A key opening fixture against Offaly away starts the campaign. A positive result may whet the appetite of the Carlow side who will look to make Netwatch Dr. Cullen Park a fortress.

Joe McDonagh campaign and promotion is the ultimate end goal for this county. The question for Carlow is the underage development of talent. Kavanagh and Doyle will need more depth chart quality to contribute in the scoring stakes.

This league campaign is to ensure safety. This may be touch and go given the teams in the league mix so early results are required. Time will tell.

Dublin

A new managerial era has broken over the nation’s capital. O’Ceallachain managerial appointment looks astute when you see his body of work with Na Fianna who only secured All Ireland SHC club final success last weekend.

Na Fianna’s contingent will be key to success where the goal is to secure promotion to 1A ranks. Currie, Ryan, Burke will complement the current panel featuring Crummey and Conor Burke who was a standout in midfield last season.

Antrim in Croke Park is an early league marker. If they can account for the Saffron, expect Dublin to build momentum and be in the promotion mix. The intriguing element here is how the Dublin management look to blood in underage players to a squad who will be missing the services of Eoghan O’Donnell.

An early season promotion favorite but Dublin know that the fixture schedule is loaded with banana skins so a surprise result for Dublin may need to be accounted for.

Laois

Preseason preparations hit as Darren Gleeson was forced to step aside from the manager’s role due to health issues. We wish Darren well. Laois have appointed county native Tommy Fitzgerald to the role so it will be interesting to see how Laois galvanized under Fitzgerald’s leadership.

A team that have a point to prove after missing out on Joe McDonagh success last term. They delivered a good performance but were undone by defensive lapses at the start of both halves and a big wide count. Offaly took advantage and secured their final win deservedly.

Maher and Corby will be key men again for Laois who will have ambitions of 1A promotion. A team who will look to their opening fixture against Westmeath as an early season barometer. Laois should be in the promotion mix but whether Fitzgerald and players have gelled sufficiently to sustain a league promotion challenge is a question mark right now. Joe McDonagh campaign is the target.

Offaly

Optimism aplenty for the Faithful County this term given their successes in U20 and Joe McDonagh ranks last season. Johnny Kelly has provide excellent stewardship of the senior side amidst standout underage success.

Offaly should be contending for promotion honors in this league campaign. A squad who have several standout players. Duignan, Mitchell and Screeney come to mind albeit Screeney may sit out the league campaign due to injury.

A home fixture against Carlow will be an interesting gauge on Offaly’s league ambitions. Offaly will need to ramp up their performances come the end of the league as a return to Leinster SHC ranks beckons. The hope is that Screeney features in some way in the league. Promotion contender.

Waterford

Peter Queally finally gets his opportunity to manage the Waterford senior hurling team. A standout player and now coach, Queally will leave no stone unturned as the Waterford county board have turned to native county man to resurrect their fortunes.

This task though will be complicated. Callum Lyons and Neil Montgomery have opted out of the panel this year. Both are abroad and are big losses in the middle third. Stephen Bennett’s injury concerns persist so Queally will depend on Fitzgerald and Gleeson to provide forward line contributions.

Waterford immediately will be listed as the favorite to secure 1A promotion but Waterford management will need to evaluate their squad depth in all areas of the field. De Burca will be a lynchpin for this side but what happens if the player goes down with injury again? Who will step up? The genuine lack of underage success in the county for several years is a concern.

Expect Waterford to flatter to deceive in this league campaign. There will be good wins but I suspect that there may be some reality check results against other promotion chasing sides. Promotion for the Deise should not look as clear cut as some pundits are making out. Waterford will be an interesting watch this season. Can they generate momentum heading into Munster SHC fare?

Westmeath

Seoirse Bulfin takes over as Westmeath manager from Joe Fortune who leaves behind solid foundations. Given the successful campaign of Castletown-Geoghegan in the Leinster SHC club campaign, the potential and skill set is there for Bulfin to excel.

A key fixture against Laois in the opening round of the league will provide a genuine litmus test for their league ambitions. Laois potentially vulnerable given the preseason managerial changes that were forced. Westmeath need to set to down a marker.

Cusack Park in February is a tough place to go. Limerick last season found that out with a narrow win over a determined Westmeath challenge. Teams need to be prepared to get into the trenches, work extremely hard to secure any points from Westmeath away from home.

Westmeath if they can galvanize under Bulfin’s stewardship should retain their divisional status this term. League promotion run is questionable but David O’Reilly (if fit) is a super talent that can propel the side to new levels to complement the likes of Killian Doyle and Tommy Doyle.

Predictions

PromotionRelegation
Dublin, Offaly Carlow and Antrim.

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