In the second article reviewing the 2025 Allianz Hurling League, we switch to the Division 1B.
Waterford and Offaly advance to the league final next weekend. Laois and Westmeath will face life in Division Two next season. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on the league campaign for all teams in the division.
Regular Season League Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | Pts Diff | Points |
| 1 | Waterford | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 64 | 10 |
| 2 | Offaly | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 9 |
| 3 | Dublin | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 8 |
| 4 | Carlow | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -4 | 6 |
| 5 | Antrim | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -25 | 5 |
| 6 | Laois | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -41 | 2 |
| 7 | Westmeath | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -58 | 2 |
Waterford
An immediate return to 1A hurling was the goal and the team delivered this with one round of fixtures remaining. The league campaign began shakily with the road trip to Carlow. However, Waterford regrouped. They put up heavy scores in victories against Antrim, Laois, and Westmeath.
The key fixtures in this group for Waterford were against Dublin and Offaly. The Dublin home clash ebbed and flowed before Waterford grabbed the fixture late to win against fourteen man Dublin. The Offaly home fixture was completely overshadowed by the early Offaly red card. The win was secured but not until the final quarter.
Five wins in the league but there is scope for improvement in terms of overall team performance during matches. Waterford superb for spells but then faded for periods of games also. This issue needs to be addressed before the Munster SHC campaign. Better sides than those in this division will exploit Waterford’s weaknesses.
Offaly
Yet another good league campaign for Offaly. They can look forward to 1A hurling next season. This will only benefit their team development. This promotion achieved without the services of Adam Screeney.
Offaly’s forward line did step up at significant times. Brian Duignan continuing his excellent form for his county in open play and on placed balls. Dan Bourke providing half-forward line cohesion. The middle third looking solid and with pace in abundance.
Four wins, one draw and the loss to Waterford last weekend. The draw coming in the opening round at home to Carlow. Offaly’s wide count giving Carlow the opportunity to secure a share of the spoils which Marty Kavanagh’s duly obliged. Several convincing victories (where precious little was learned) before a standout win against Dublin at Croke Park.
Offaly’s performance last weekend could not be fully assessed given the early red card. They worked hard but were eventually defeated in the final quarter by Waterford. It will be interesting how both sides approach the final. Will they go all out or hold certain players back for championship? Promotion though is more signs of recovery within Offaly hurling after the recent underage success.
Dublin
Dublin will be massively disappointed on losing out on promotion. The new management team will state that they used the league to evaluate many players (35+). Nonetheless, given the losses to Offaly and Waterford, this promotion bid failure will hurt.
Discipline cost Dublin dear throughout the league. Red cards seen against Westmeath, Offaly and Waterford. The key losses in the campaign were against their promotion protagonists. The red card incidents swung the game against the nation’s capital.
Dublin head into the championship in good confidence. Two good wins over Carlow and Laois showed the side’s capabilities when on the front foot. Donal Burke’s form has returned. With the Na Fianna contingent fully integrated into the squad, a Leinster SHC final appearance is possible for the side.
If Dublin can focus on their discipline, then the skies the limit for the side. They were favorites for promotion after round three. However, the losses to Waterford and Offaly were fatal blows. Dublin was the better side for long periods of those contests.
Carlow
A solid league campaign for Carlow who were in the promotion debate up until the final round. Carlow management targeted key fixtures (Waterford, Laois) while also running squad depth charts against Dublin and Westmeath.
The league record of two wins, two draws and two losses. The Waterford home win was the highlight. A thoroughly deserved win as the middle third were dominant for long periods. Kavanagh supported by Nolan’s and Doyle in the attack. The Laois away win saw all midfield and forward line starting players scoring during the contest. Scoring distribution improving.
Their promotion hopes were derailed by two draws. The first draw came against Offaly on the opening day of the league campaign. The second was a draw at home to Antrim. The Offaly result was one based on resiliency and determination to stay in the fight. The Antrim draw at home saw a performance dip in the final quarter. This allowed the Saffrons to level late.
The losses against Dublin and Westmeath showing clear squad depth issues. Carlow’s squad in comparison with other teams in the promotion shakeup is light. Fringe players given opportunities but found the step up difficult. You do wonder on Carlow in a few year’s time when Marty Kavanagh and others step away.
For now, Carlow are primed for a good run in Joe McDonagh this season. 1B hurling next term for Carlow will see them get competitive games against Wexford, Clare, and Dublin. They will also look at Antrim, Kildare, and Down for company. This schedule is a happy mix for the team, to be honest.
Antrim
The Davy Fitzgerald era at Antrim has started with relegation to Division 2 avoided. Antrim delivered key wins when required against Laois and Westmeath and secured a good away draw to Carlow.
We saw standout performances from Burke, Molloy, and McNaughton. He is a superb talent. However, we also saw a team who struggled when faced against better middle third units. Heavy losses to Offaly, Dublin and Waterford raising questions across multiple forward and defensive lines.
The Leinster SHC campaign is fast approaching. Antrim’s work rate and ensuring Corrigan Park is a fortress are non-negotiable. Fitzgerald’s team setup will be an interesting watch. The direct ball approach saw good attacking moments. However, over complication in the middle third caused the side to struggle defensively.
Antrim have more questions than answers from the league. The remit is clear for Antrim this season. They must ensure Liam McCarthy safety. That looks difficult with Offaly promoted to the Leinster SHC ranks this term. Fitzgerald and players need to come out fighting.
Laois
There is no way of sugar coating this but Laois’s league campaign was poor. Division 2 relegation confirmed after a home loss to Carlow in round six.
The demise of a side who competed so well in the Joe McDonagh last season has to be questioned. Rowland dropping off the panel and under-performance from the side against Antrim were keynote points from the campaign.
Dunphy and Corby have stood out but Laois’ defensive units have struggled at times. Dunne in the Laois goal has deputized well but the scoring concession rate was way too high. Laois scored 0-29 in their loss to Carlow which ultimately sealed their relegation fate.
It just feels that management and squad harmony is not where it should be. Both need to reset and deliver a strong Joe McDonagh campaign. Laois is a proud hurling county. Will players be eager to commit next season? The Joe McDonagh might go like the league campaign.
Tommy Fitzgerald and management have a serious job of regrouping the playing panel. As mentioned, a surprise to see Laois struggle so much in this league campaign. Something is clearly a miss.
Westmeath
A tough league campaign for Seoirse Bulfin and team. Westmeath did show some good moments but goal concessions and unforced errors were ultimately their undoing.
The scoring power in the forward line also exposed. David Williams and Killian Doyle contributed 0-80 of their total points scored. A significant portion of those points came from placed balls. 190 points conceded is a stark reminder of the defensive vulnerabilities shown.
The loss to Waterford at home was a horrendous experience. Waterford picking their goal opportunities when required; middle third unit overrun. Westmeath though must be credited for their away win to Carlow in the final round of the league; confidence gained.
Joe McDonagh looks very competitive. Westmeath will hope for a positive start to the campaign. Whether the players can deliver better performances in defense and attack is a different story. The new management team can only do so much. Squad depth issues are evident. There is no quick fix here for the county.