Twists and turns still to come in the hurling league

So how might things look in League 2026?

Heading into the penultimate round of this year's National Hurling League, it’s time to throw a guess as to how things might be looking after promotion and relegation matters are settled.

Let’s starts with Division 1B, the most exciting league for me this year in terms of results and big turnovers. After five rounds did anyone honestly think the only two unbeaten teams would be Offaly and Carlow?

Carlow have played two games fewer than Offaly due to a break week and a postponed fixture with Laois but I expect them to win that re-fixed game against their near neighbours.

Offaly on the other hand haven't had a break in five weeks. They have been asked questions in games and they have had answers for nearly all those questions. They are almost guaranteed promotion to the top flight.

Promotion for Offaly would be well deserved and another indication of how well this group are going under the guidance of Johnny Kelly and a few Tipp lads helping out too.

It would be a massive achievement for all those involved in Offaly hurling. Only four years ago they were playing in the third tier of the hurling championship when they won the Christy Ring Cup and here they are now about to be competing in the top hurling league and playing in the Liam MacCarthy.

Winning an All-Ireland Under-20 hurling title last year after getting to an All-Ireland Minor final in 2022 with the same group is definitely helping the progress move along so quickly. Players like Dan Bourke, Dan Ravenhill, James Mahon, Donal Shirley, Colin Spain, Cathal King and of course Adam Screeney, who still has to appear in the 2025 season due to an injury, these are the most exciting group of Offaly hurlers since, dare I say it, the 90’s.

T