Hurling Power Rankings #4 — Galway are starting to look like All-Ireland winners

We’re down to the final eight of the hurling championship after the weekend’s qualifiers — but Leinster champions Galway continue to lay down the gauntlet.

8 Dublin

It took a while, but Dublin eventually saw off Laois 2–28 to 1–15 in Parnell Park to book a place in the second round of the qualifier. Even despite their relatively handy win against the Laoismen, it’s hard to fancy Dublin against Tipperary in Semple Stadium and they are the unanimous weakest team left in the competition. (Up from 9)

7 Waterford

A merciless hammering against Offaly is not enough to move them up from 7th spot. Although 1–35 to 0–14 is impressive, Offaly are in bad shape and Kilkenny on Saturday night will be a true test of where Waterford lie. It’ll be a chance to make a massive statement and finally throw their hat in the ring as genuine All-Ireland contenders after disappointment in Munster.

6 Kilkenny

Kilkenny had to dig deep to get past Limerick and face another tough one against Waterford. They were there for the taking in Nowlan Park, hadn’t the likes of Michael Fennelly and TJ Reid been so good. They’ll have to improve an awful lot to match Waterford but you know for sure that if they can get past the Déise, they’ll start smelling that green grass of Croke Park in September…

5 Wexford

A disappointing Leinster final aside, Wexford have been the story of the summer, beating Kilkenny and bringing an athleticism and talent that you’d associate with the bigger hurling counties. But Galway glided past them in Croke Park without really getting out of third gear. That’s probably more so to do with how good Galway are rather than a knock of the Yellowbellies, but you’d wonder if those legs can keep churning after such a heavy year since Davy took over. (Down from 3)

4 Clare

Clare and Cork is going to be a cracker on Sunday afternoon. Clare will fancy their chances, and have the diminutive forward talent to cause Cork problems they haven’t seen against Tipperary or Waterford. They’re not to be ruled out and could perhaps build up the most run of steam going into the All-Ireland stage. (Up from 5)

3 Tipperary

Third on reputation and reputation alone, Tipperary are being gifted an All-Ireland quarter final after draws against Westmeath and now Dublin. They underperformed against Westmeath, and will have to up their game to beat Dublin, but it’s hard to see them not knocking over the Dubs on home soil. After a dismal Munster campaign the Premier County could start picking up a head of steam. (Up from 4)

2 Cork

Cork will be energized by their minors, who were fantastic in front of 8k people in Pairc Ui Rinn on Monday night. It’s going to be a huge battle in Semple Stadium, but Cork will be favourites and have shown the most form of any side in Munster this year with wins against Tipperary and Waterford. A win against Clare will seal a magnificent year, and put them up with Galway in the All-Ireland conversation.

1 Galway

League champions, Leinster champions and now the undoubted favourite for All-Ireland glory. It’s hard to believe this is the same Galway side that relied so heavily on Joe Canning and folded when the crunch came. They now have a selection of forwards to pick scores and an extremely talented backline. They looked like men against boys against Wexford — with extraordinary size and fantastic aerial ability. It’s now or never for Joe Canning and his comrades.