There has already been a bit of upheaval though as O\u2019Connor, who was handed a three-year term, brought Niall O\u2019Halloran into the set-up before he quickly departed. O\u2019Connor denied any bust-up had occurred.<\/p>\n
Ronan Curran, Terence McCarthy and William Biggane will act as selectors for the Rebels who, of course, will be without Patrick Horgan who announced his retirement and entered that unwanted conversation \u2013 the best player never to win an All-Ireland.<\/p>\n
Gerry Hussey has replaced Gary Keegan as performance coach.<\/p>\n
Shane Kingston: No Cork leadership void with Patrick Horgan departure<\/a><\/p>\n KILKENNY<\/p>\n Manager: Derek Lyng<\/p>\n Year: Four<\/p>\n Notes: Derek Lyng was ratified for another season in September as he tries to find those extra few inches that make all the difference.<\/p>\n For the last two seasons, they have lost out to the eventual champions by two points at the semi-final stage. Two final defeats preceded those, one by two points of course.<\/p>\n Eight-time All-Ireland winner Eddie Brennan has come in as forwards\u2019 coach and Niall Corcoran, who worked with Brennan at Laois previously, is moving from the O\u2019Moore County to the Cats.<\/p>\n Former Limerick goalkeeping coach Timmy Houlihan is another new addition.<\/p>\n LIMERICK<\/p>\n Manager: John Kiely<\/p>\n Year: Ten<\/p>\n Notes: Two All-Ireland finals in a row without Limerick, something that seemed very unlikely in the weeks after their 2023 final thumping of Kilkenny.<\/p>\n John Kiely would have done a lot of soul-searching in the off-season, particularly the manner of their weak exit to Dublin last season,<\/a> but a man with such success to his name will surely have a plan to get back to the top.<\/p>\n Renowned sports psychologist Caroline Currid took a lot of credit for previous successes and she\u2019s back on board for the season ahead, which could be crucial.<\/p>\n Paul Kinnerk, Alan Cunningham, John Flavin and Liam Cronin are all on the line again.<\/p>\n Declan Hannon has retired, so a big bag of experience has disappeared.<\/p>\n GALWAY<\/p>\n Manager: Miche\u00e1l Donoghue<\/p>\n Year: Two<\/p>\n Notes: Year two for Miche\u00e1l Donoghue and it\u2019s a changed management team taking on the challenge.<\/p>\n Eamon O\u2019Shea, who won All-Ireland SHC titles as a coach with Tipperary in 2010 and 2019, has departed as team coach.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also been a change on the strength and conditioning side of things with Connacht Rugby\u2019s former senior athletic performance coach Barry O\u2019Brien taking over from former Ireland rugby international Jonny O\u2019Connor.<\/p>\n The IRFU\u2019s former head of high performance coach development Daragh Sheridan has been added to the backroom team, and he will also work with the Galway footballers in 2026.<\/p>\n OFFALY<\/p>\n Manager: Johnny Kelly<\/p>\n Year: Four<\/p>\n Notes: Johnny Kelly is back on board for another season in Offaly after his term was extended.<\/p>\n Kelly has switched up the captaincy this year with Charlie Mitchell bestowed with that particular honour.<\/p>\n S\u00e9amus Callanan is no longer with the squad after the Tipperary legend hooked up with the side ahead of last season, with Tony Gleeson moving up from the county\u2019s Under-20s to fill the void. Barry Teehan and Michael Maher remain.<\/p>\n A huge year for the side with Division 1A hurling in store.<\/p>\n TIPPERARY<\/p>\n Manager: Liam Cahill<\/p>\n Year: Four<\/p>\n Notes: Last season, Liam Cahill\u2019s future was uncertain after a disappointing campaign but he returned and took the Premier County to the Promised Land \u2013 so it was no surprise than an extension was offered following the end of his initial three-year term.<\/p>\n Coaching support again comes from David Herity with Michael Bevans, TJ Ryan and Declan Laffan as selectors.<\/p>\n Former All-Star goalkeeper Brian Hogan has returned to the panel after spending a number of years in Australia.<\/p>\n WATERFORD<\/p>\n Manager: Peter Queally<\/p>\n Year: Two<\/p>\n Notes: Peter Queally is set to enter the second half of his initial two-year term.<\/p>\n It was an up and down 2025 \u2013 topping Division 1B but failing to get out of Munster \u2013 but Tipperary demonstrated last season how progress can be made quickly.<\/p>\n Dan Shanahan remains as selector, but he has a new body alongside him as Donal O\u2019Rourke is a fresh addition.<\/p>\n O\u2019Rourke comes highly regarded having spent three years with Cork with Pat Ryan. He replaces Eoin Kelly who steps away after three years of service.<\/p>\n Queally has also looked to Cork \u2013 this time to their camogs \u2013 for another addition in the form of Adrian O\u2019Sullivan.<\/p>\n Division 1B<\/p>\n ANTRIM<\/p>\n Manager: Davy Fitzgerald<\/p>\n Year: Two<\/p>\n Notes: Davy Fitzgerald\u2019s initial Antrim term was two years with an option of a third and despite a difficult first campaign, he\u2019s back with the Saffrons.<\/p>\n The side did avoid relegation from Division 1B last season, but dropping to the Joe McDonagh Cup was a blow.<\/p>\n Neil McManus, Pat Bennett \u2013 the new Carlow boss – and Paudie Shivers have left the management team.<\/p>\n Fitzgerald has turned to a familiar face to fill the void with Seoirse Bulfin linking up with him once again. The pair have worked together at a number of management teams over the last decade. Arron Graffin is also there.<\/p>\n CARLOW<\/p>\n Manager: Pat Bennett<\/p>\n Year: One<\/p>\n Notes: Pat Bennett was part of Davy Fitzgerald\u2019s Antrim management team in 2025, but he couldn\u2019t ignore the chance of being a number one<\/a> and replaces Tom Mullaly.<\/p>\n Bennett is still hoping to add a selector prior to the start of the Allianz Hurling League, but Johnny Nevin is in place already.<\/p>\n A former Carlow dual star, Nevin played Railway Cup in two codes and has helped with the county\u2019s underage squads previously.<\/p>\n Shane Briggs and Craig Coffey remain from last season\u2019s coaching team.<\/p>\n CLARE<\/p>\n Manager: Brian Lohan<\/p>\n Year: Seven<\/p>\n Notes: Brian Lohan\u2019s term was extended once again in July with three years pegged on.<\/a><\/p>\n A few switches in the management team last year but it\u2019s mostly as you were for the months ahead as the Banner aim to bounce back after a low-key 2025.<\/p>\n On the playing side of things, Aidan McCarthy is not expected to be involved. It is believed the player had enquired about returning to the squad, but is not in the management\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n Diarmuid Ryan looks to turn page after Clare’s unhappy All-Ireland title defence<\/a><\/p>\n Lohan trimmed his panel in recent weeks for the Munster Hurling League while Jack Kirwan picked up an injury in a clash in the season opener against Limerick.<\/p>\n DOWN<\/p>\n Manager: Ron\u00e1n Sheehan<\/p>\n Year: Eight<\/p>\n Notes: No switches in Down for 2026 with the same management team taking charge for the year ahead.<\/p>\n That means an eighth season for Ron\u00e1n Sheehan, the third-longest serving hurling manager behind Limerick\u2019s John Kiely and Donegal\u2019s Michael McCann.<\/p>\n There should be plenty of pep in their step after their fantastic Division 2 success last season<\/a> and they\u2019re set to mix it with some top teams.<\/p>\n A number of younger players \u2013 such as Carryduff dual star Liam Blaney \u2013 should be exposed to what is required at this level.<\/p>\n DUBLIN<\/p>\n Manager: Niall \u00d3 Ceallach\u00e1inn<\/p>\n Year: Two<\/p>\n Notes: Niall \u00d3 Ceallach\u00e1inn enters year two of his three-year term and undoubtedly the highlight of last term was their shock All-Ireland quarter-final win over Limerick despite playing all but 15 minutes with 14 men.<\/p>\n The semi-final showed the road that still needs travelled though as an irresistible Cork fired home seven goals at Croke Park.<\/p>\n Last season was unorthodox, with Na Fianna\u2019s run to All-Ireland Club glory ensuring he had to focus on two teams in the early stages of the season \u2013 so he\u2019ll be hoping a clean run will be beneficial this time.<\/p>\n KILDARE<\/p>\n Manager: Brian Dowling<\/p>\n Year: Three<\/p>\n Notes: Brian Dowling is overseeing one of Kildare\u2019s greatest-ever hurling spells, but he still took time out to get into a verbal duel with Babs Keating in the off-season.<\/p>\n The Tipperary legend, now living in Kildare, predicted a Lilywhite “crucifixion” in the Leinster SHC this year when chatting to the Irish Examiner. “I wouldn\u2019t take anything that man says too seriously,” Dowling retorted on KCLR.<\/p>\n The Leinster side have won back-to-back championships \u2013 the Christy Ring followed by the Joe McDonagh <\/a>\u2013 and were promoted to Division 1B so an exciting few months await.<\/p>\n WEXFORD<\/p>\n Manager: Keith Rossiter<\/p>\n Year: Three<\/p>\n Notes: Keith Rossiter has beefed up his support staff with former Cobh Ramblers manager Shane Keegan an interesting addition.<\/a><\/p>\n Andy Ronan also comes in as a selector while former Westmeath boss Shane O\u2019Brien will help with the coaching.<\/p>\n Chris Coburn departs from the Wicklow footballers to work with the Model County.<\/p>\n Rossiter was originally appointed on a two-year term with the option of a third, which was taken in the off-season.<\/p>\n They failed to make a real mark last term, and promotion back to Division 1A will be one of the main aims for the season ahead.<\/p>\n Division 2<\/p>\n DERRY<\/p>\n Manager: Johnny McGarvey<\/p>\n Year: Four<\/p>\n Notes: Johnny McGarvey is still there but there is significant change in his management team.<\/p>\n Out goes Conor Murray \u2013 not the former Irish rugby international, although he has recently moved to the Oakleaf County \u2013 and Jamie Murray.<\/p>\n In comes Niall Cleary and Dara Curley. Cleary had acted as player-manager of Donegal club Setanta in recent seasons but stepped down ahead of the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n Derry maintained their Division 2 status last time out and made it all the way to the Christy Ring Cup final where they lost to London.<\/p>\n KERRY<\/p>\n Manager: John Griffin<\/p>\n Year: Two<\/p>\n Notes: John Griffin is back and he has brought in one of the county\u2019s most noted hurlers of all time – Shane Brick.<\/p>\n The Kilmoyley native transferred to Cork side Tracton in his late playing days and went on to coach a number of teams in the Rebel County.<\/p>\n Mark Ryall is another addition to the management team. He has pushed the sport hard in Tralee CBS, helping the school into the Harty Cup in 2024\/25, although they didn\u2019t compete this season.<\/p>\n Griffin\u2019s Kerry were relegated from the Joe McDonagh Cup last year, so a return to that competition will be high on the agenda.<\/p>\n LAOIS<\/p>\n Manager: Tommy Fitzgerald<\/p>\n Year: Two<\/p>\n Notes: A late appointment last season as new manager Darren Gleeson had to step down to undergo cancer treatment, Tommy Fitzgerald will have a full run into the new season this time around.<\/p>\n Fitzgerald has lost a valuable asset though with coach Niall Corcoran moving into the Kilkenny management for the season ahead.<\/p>\n Galway duo Jeffrey Lynskey and Tony \u00d3g Regan come in the door with Aidan Stakelum, Andrew Kavanagh Paddy Quinlan, Evan Dunne and Joe Keane also involved.<\/p>\n Enda Rowland, one of the county\u2019s greatest ever hurling goalkeepers, has retired ahead of the new campaign.<\/p>\n LONDON<\/p>\n Manager: Eoin O\u2019Neill<\/p>\n Year: One<\/p>\n Notes: Eoin O\u2019Neill is the new man in charge of the Exiles having been part of Neil Rogers\u2019 coaching ticket that helped guide them to Christy Ring glory last term.<\/p>\n Rogers cited family commitments for the reason for his departure on the back of such a fine season, and O\u2019Neill will be hoping the side can continue on an upward trajectory.<\/p>\n More appointments will be forthcoming, but Alan Tobin is remaining on from last year while Stephen Frawley, who used to hurl with the Exiles, is part of the ticket.<\/p>\n Frawley has been involved with different London management teams in the past so will know the lay of the land.<\/p>\n MAYO<\/p>\n Manager: Ray Larkin<\/p>\n Year: Three<\/p>\n Notes: Ray Larkin and his management team committed to another season in charge following a review at the end of the 2025 season.<\/p>\n That review was always going to rely on Larkin\u2019s interest given he captured a league title last season and took them to the Nickey Rackard final, where they lost to Roscommon by a point, and that remains an itch he wants to scratch.<\/p>\n “There is a lot of interest and support for hurling in Mayo at present and the emergence of several new adult hurling clubs in recent years augurs well for the future,” said Mayo chairperson Seamus Tuohy.<\/p>\n MEATH<\/p>\n Manager: Johnny Greville<\/p>\n Year: Two<\/p>\n Notes: Johnny Greville enters year two of his initial three-year term<\/p>\n The Royals endured a tough 2025 but Greville has the backing of the county while player availability remains an issue.<\/p>\n Division 2 looks ultra competitive this season, so it\u2019s imperative that the side makes a solid start.<\/p>\n Former Limerick goalkeeper Barry Hennessy has been added to the backroom team as head coach with Tom Shine and Sean Corrigan continuing as selectors. Dermot Moran, who has worked closely with Na Fianna in their recent successes, is assistant coach while another Na Fianna man, Graham Norton, is director of sports science and athletic performance. The strength and conditioning work is being carried out by Barry Reynolds.<\/p>\n WESTMEATH<\/p>\n Manager: Kevin O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n Year: One<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/001c1a13-614.jpg\"\/)
\nCaroline Currid is back with Limerick<\/p>\n![\"Offaly](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0023b2f0-614.jpg\"\/)
\nS\u00e9amus Callanan has stepped away from Offaly<\/p>\n![\"25](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/00238288-614.jpg\"\/)
\nPat Bennett has switched Antrim for Carlow<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/00159538-614.jpg\"\/)
\nShane Keegan (L) is with Wexford this season<\/p>\n![\"26](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0023b300-614.jpg\"\/)
\nKevin O’Brien is the new Westmeath manager<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/001bdc9b-614.jpg\"\/)