The dust hasn’t settled on Limerick’s 2026 All-Ireland title win, but already management teams, players and optimistic supporters will be looking ahead to the 2027 season.

There should be no negativity in looking ahead to next spring and summer at this juncture. Gearóid Hegarty said recently his father, the great Ger Hegarty, always went out to train on New Year’s Day as ‘there are no All-Ireland champions on New Year’s Day.’

There are more teams in a state of flux heading into this winter than has been the case for a long time.

Kilkenny, Waterford, and Wexford are all going to be under new management, Clare potentially are going to be dealing with multiple retirements, having already lost Shane O’Donnell, and Cork are facing another long winter after another Croke Park collapse.

Without further adieu here are our way too early 2027 hurling power rankings.

The Way Too Early Hurling Power Rankings Ahead Of 2027
1. Limerick

Need we say more, their performance in the All-Ireland Final was ridiculously controlled and efficient. They looked back to their very best this year, they’ve solved their centre back problem and there doesn’t look to be anybody planning on retiring just yet.

Provided we don’t hear of a Caroline Currid departure before 2027 Limerick will start the year as favourites to win Liam MacCarthy.

2. Galway

2026 was a dream for Galway, they integrated multiple young players who look like potential stars for years to come. They will lack the element of surprise in 2027 but another winter of S&C and beef nuts for the likes of Rabbitte, Trayers, Niland and Rory Burke could do them wonders.

Another Leinster title and more trips to Croke Park is exactly what Galway need to continue to progress, they’ve shown they can deal with what almost everybody has to offer and it’s now up to them to try get to Limerick’s level.

3. Cork

2026 was another year of nearly for Cork. It was never going to be straight forward for Cork with Ben O’Connor and his management team needing time to bed in but they still showed signs of why they were many people’s favourites for the All-Ireland before a ball was pucked.

The return of Ciarán Joyce next season will be a huge boost. The most difficult problem for Cork is one that they can’t really rectify until this time next year. Unfortunately no matter what they do until they win an All-Ireland Final, the same questions will still be asked.

A team full of quality who will be there or thereabouts again.

4. Clare

Clare had a very up and down 2026, when they were on it they were very good, see Tipp in Thurles and the All-Ireland Semi-Final vs Limerick. They equally threw in some poor showings away to Cork and at home to Limerick in Munster but it could be argued they didn’t want to show their hand.

One worry for Clare is there is potentially an avalanche of retirements incoming, Shane O’Donnell is already finished in a Clare jersey. John Conlon is another legend that may not return and there are questions over another couple who have given great service to Clare.

They do have talent on the way, their U20 All-Ireland winners shone brightly on multiple occasions and it may be tough for them to make the step-up straight away, but Galway have certainly shown the way.

5. Tipperary

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Tipperary had a disappointing year but they still possess all the talent of the team who stormed to the All-Ireland title in 2025. With the nature of their 2025 win, it was always going to be a tough act to follow but Liam Cahill insists he is in it for the long haul so it is hard to see Tipperary turning in a second poor season in a row.

A winter without the distractions of being All-Ireland champions might be just what they need to get themselves back on track.

6. Kilkenny

The team who probably had the most disappointing year of all. Not many would have predicted Kilkenny to not make it out of Leinster but despite multiple warnings, Derek Lyng’s charges never raised a gallop. The change of manager with Lyng departing and Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin may prove crucial.

Despite reports from Michael Verney in The Irish Independent that Michael Carey is set to take the year out, the returns of Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan would be a huge boost, throw in an injury free run for Adrian Mullen and Kilkenny could be transformed.

7. Waterford

Waterford had the same year they’ve had for the last few seasons. Getting close to making the breakthrough in Munster but just not doing enough. A serious injury to star man Stephen Bennett was a sorry way to end the season but performances away to Clare and at home to Cork and Tipperary showed they can mix it in Munster.

Peter Queally is no longer at the helm and local reporting suggest former player Stephen Molumphy is leading the race to become the boss.

Whether that appointment can spur on some round-robin wins for Waterford remains to be seen.

8. Dublin

8th feels harsh for Dublin but the final two games of their season are hard to forget. They performed well in Leinster but their limp showings against Galway in the Leinster final and Clare in Thurles showed some familiar failings.

A strong league and a return to the Leinster final followed by some more games in Croke Park would represent a strong year for Niall Ó Ceallacháin and his men.

9. Offaly

A really solid year for Offaly, this felt like the year that their young side came of age in Leinster and was finally ready to step out on the big stage.

Then they ran into Cork and took what could only be described as an unmerciful beating. What affect that may have on them is yet to be revealed but another winter of training and exposure to top level hurling will do them the world of good.

A strong league and progression from Leinster should be the aim for Offaly.

10. Wexford

A really tough year for Wexford with players opting out and a string of poor results. It all became too much for Keith Rossiter who stepped aside at the end of their Leinster campaign. The appointment of Derek McGrath represents an ambitious decision with McGrath agreeing to a three year term.

The return of Rory O’Connor to their forward line to help shoulder the burden on Lee Chin is a must. Promotion from Division 1B and some wins in Leinster are reasonable targets.

11. Laois

Laois managed to finally get over the line in the Joe McDonagh with a strong showing against Carlow in the final. Laois will be really up against it in Leinster with Wexford and Kilkenny keen to atone for poor years in 2026 and Offaly on the rise after a positive season also.

They’ll be targeting wins against Wexford and Offaly to avoid being sent straight back down to Joe McDonagh.

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