Antrim
Last year: Respectable performance but a nine-point defeat to Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
First game: vs. Laois, May 14.
What the manager says? “We have a decent record against Laois and we are very keen to make an impact in the Leinster Championship. Dublin have set the template for teams like ourselves by beating Kilkenny in the league final and now it’s up to the like of us to pick up the gauntlet.”–Dinny Cahill
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Southbound – Thin Lizzy
Supporters are most likely to say? “The petrol’s a killer.”
Verdict: With their shock victory against Dublin, Antrim showed last year that they shouldn’t be underestimated. However, they start their Championship campaign with doubts over some key players. Young full-back Cormac Donnelly, one of the revealtions of last year’s Championship, and forward Liam Watson are both likely to miss out on the opener against Laois.
With plenty of quality in the forwards and a talented midfield paring of Shane McNaughton and Karl Stewart, Antrim could surprise a few people if they can navigate the first hurdle. Losing Jerry Wallace from the coaching staff was a major blow but Dinny Cahill’s young charges should be able to build on last year’s showing and improve again.
Carlow
Last year: An agonising late defeat to Antrim in the second round of the qualifiers.
First game: vs. Westmeath, May 22.
What the manager says? “People have worked that hard for Carlow to get them where they are and the lads have worked so hard as well. If we ended up with two sixes (in a revamped national League) and we weren’t in it I guarantee you the curve for Carlow would start heading back down the way.” - Kevin Ryan
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Shelter from the Storm – Bob Dylan
Supporters are most likely to say? “I give up.”
Verdict: The draw has been kind to Carlow and they should get at least one win under their belts against a dispirited Westmeath. They won’t go any further in Leinster but will hope to at least keep the scoreline respectable should they run into Galway. Boss Kevin Ryan insisted his side’s 4-28 to 0-8 mauling at the hands of Clare in the final round of league matches was a freak result so they’ll be out to prove they can at least be competitive.
Dublin
Last year: A dismal Croke Park defeat to Antrim in the third round of qualifiers.
First game: vs. Offaly, May 29.
What the manager says? “This success was a long time coming. Now we must try and build on it in the championship.” - Anthony Daly
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Step by Step – New Kids on the Block
Supporters are most likely to say? “Where were you when we were shite?”
Verdict: The Dubs have made rapid progress under Anthony Daly and them entering a Leinster Championship match against Offaly as overwhelming favourites would have been inconceivable a couple of years ago. With last year’s shock defeat to Antrim fresh in their minds, complacency shouldn’t be a problem.
But with key defenders Joey Boland, Tomas Brady and Stephen Hiney ruled out of the clash against the Faithful, it could be a tougher encounter than many expect. With Conal Keaney back in the frame, the Dubs have another real match winner in their ranks and with expectations at an all-time high, anything less than an All-Ireland quarter-final will be seen as an abject failure. They should get that far but inexperience at that level of the Championship could stop them going any further.
Galway
Last year: A heart-breaking last-minute defeat to Tipp in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
First game: vs. Carlow or Westmeath, June 4.
What the manager says? “We have a mountain of work to do ahead of the Championship.” — John McIntyre
What’s on the dressing room iPod? What Becomes of the Broken Hearted – Jimmy Ruffin
Supporters are most likely to say? “Leinster!? Call me for the All-Ireland semi-final.”
Verdict: After last year’s dramatic late defeat to Tipp, John McIntyre talked up his side’s bottle, but much like Arsene Wenger, you wonder who he was trying to convince. On last year’s showing they’re not far off All-Ireland winning material and given that the likes of Ger Canning and Damien Hayes didn’t feature until the last match, you can’t read too much into their mediocre league form.
They also seem to have unearthed a real gem in Iarla Tannion but the way they blew a possible league title in the final match against a depleted Waterford makes you wonder whether this will be another case of so near yet so far for the Tribesmen.
Kilkenny
Last year: Beaten heavily by Tipp in the All-Ireland final.
First game: vs. Antrim, Laois or Wexford, June 11.
What the manager says? “The Championship is never easy, but now it is a massive challenge for us all, management as well as players.” — Brian Cody
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Wake Up – Rage Against the Machine
Supporters are most likely to say? “Another injury!?”
Verdict: Kilkenny find themselves in unchartered territory this year given that they are entering the Championship without the burden of favouritism. They had a largely lacklustre league campaign but by the business end of the Championship, the likes of Henry Shefflin, Richie Power and John Tennyson could be back and in full-flow. The mauling at the hands of Dublin could serve to reinvigorate the panel – write them off at your peril.
Laois
Last year: Disappointing qualifier defeat to a Carlow side they had earlier beaten in the Leinster Championship opener.
First game: vs. Antrim, May 14.
What the manager says? “We have five players in the thick of third-level exams at the moment, it’s very unfair to slap a big match like this right in the middle of them. I don’t think they would do this to the likes of Kilkenny or Tipperary. It’s like they don’t give a damn about players from weaker counties.” – Brendan Fennelly
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Another Lost Summer – Blanche
Supporters are most likely to say? “We might not be the best, but we’re certainly not the worst.”
Verdict: Laois will take heart from the fact that they managed four wins in Division 2 this spring but they are many, many miles away from making any sort of an impression in Leinster. However, a hard-fought victory over Clare proved that they are clearly capable of springing a surprise on teams which are better than them.
Drawn against Antrim and then Wexford in the first two rounds, a run to the semi-finals is not totally out of the question though Brendan Fennelly will need to have his men in sparking form if they’re to have any chance.
Offaly
Last year: Six-point defeat to Tipp in the final round of qualifiers.
First game: vs. Dublin, May 29.
What the manager says? “Everyone is very, very disappointed [with relegation] but the League doesn’t resume for another nine months. It’s Championship now and you can’t be feeling sorry for yourself. I think these boys will bounce back from this.” – Johnny Dooley
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Keep the Faith – Bon Jovi
Supporters are most likely to say? “I remember a time when our camogie team could’ve beaten the Dubs.”
Verdict: Offaly’s pride will have been stung by relegation from Division One and much will depend on how they respond. Forwards Brian Carroll and Cathal Parlan both had decent league campaigns while Shane Dooley is probably the most deadly player in the country from placed balls so they undoubtedly have the firepower to trouble what could be a depleted Dublin backline.
However, they’ve been conceding big scores at the other end with full-back often David Kenny left hopelessly exposed and producing some uncharacteristically poor performances as a result. They will need to tighten right up to have a chance against a free-scoring Dublin side but a quick trip to the back door looks the most likely scenario for Johnny Dooley’s men.
Westmeath
Last year: Christy Ring Cup final victory against Kerry to seal promotion back to the big time.
First game: vs. Carlow, May 22.
What the manager says: “Carlow got a bit of a clipping from Clare. It’s all to play for. Westmeath hurlers shouldn’t be where they are.” – Brian Hanley
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Supporters are most likely to say? “Remind me again how we ended up in Leinster?”
Supporters are most likely to say? “Where are the rest of us?”
Verdict: There’s no doubt that Westmeath hurling is in disarray at the moment. Manager Kevin Martin quit before the end of a dismal pointless league campaign complaining about poor turn-outs for training and his frustration at having to play second fiddle in a football-dominated country. In such circumstances, it’ll be a major surprise if they win a Championship match and interim boss Brian Hanley will have a tough task in rousing a demoralised panel.
Wexford
Last year: Heavy defeat to Tipp in the first round of the qualifiers.
First game: vs. Laois or Antrim, May 29.
What the manager says? “We’ve learned so much over the league and the players have improved. That is what Division 1 does.” - Colm Bonnar
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Blister in the Sun – The Violent Femmes
Supporters are most likely to say? “Well, at least the weather is nice.”
Verdict: Wexford battled back well after being written off as certain relegation candidates when they lost their opening league match to Galway by a huge margin. They were reasonably impressive in defence in most matches after that and 19-year-old dual player Matthew O’Hanlon has been one of the finds of the year so far with Darren Stamp superb in front of him. With forwards of the calibre of Stephen Banville, Rory Jacob and Jim Berry, they pose an attacking threat too. The draw has been reasonably kind to them and given that they face the winners of Laois versus Antrim in the quarter-final, they’ll fancy their chances of earning a crack at Kilkenny in the semis.
– Additional reporting by Niall Kelly.
