All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2025 (Munster And Leinster Championships,Liam McCarthy Cup)

In the full forward line, Brian Hayes is absolutely nailed on. Probably John McGrath too.

If the likes of Alan Connolly, Jason Forde or even Horgan has a good final, they probably get one too.

Plus throw Cian O'Sullivan into the mix… scoring 2-5 in an all-Ireland semi-final

Difficult for Keoghan

There are more players in contention for the full forward line positions than the half forwards. I can see one, maybe two players, being selected in a half forward position to accommodate the best performers over the year.

I would think Martin Keoghan should be nailed on for consistent excellence over the whole year. Brian Hayes also. Cian O'Sullivan is certainly a very serious contender. Others probably dependent on All-Ireland.

I remember Richie Power not getting one in 2014 despite scoring four goals across the semi final and finals. Kilkenny certainly wouldn't have won without him that year. He had missed most of the year up to August and that was the basis for not selecting him. No way should Alan Connolly get one on the overall year 2025.

Bellews man scored 3-2 on Saturday.

I think Bryan O'Mara has been very good for Tipp. A good final would see him in with a shout.

This will annoy some, but I'd imagine more weight will be given by the All-Star selectors to performances in the Munster championship vs Leinster championship.

Certainly not .there are several leinster players deserving of an all star. Huw Lawlor being one,he was trying to plug holes all over the place last Saturday.

Only county to have won all ireland every decade. Would rather more then 1 a decade but interesting stat all the same.

Cork also held that record unti 2019 when they failed to win an All Ireland from 2010-19. They could have won 2013, first day out.

Been thinking about Kilkenny the last few days. Iv come to the conclusion that the current state of Leinster has not benefited them these last few years. This handy run to a semi final in reality is also their downfall. Before the RR it was similar but the Munster teams also had fewer games. Less time to sharpen up and form a real basis of play. Now Munster teams have 4/5 hard, 100% games to really get motoring.

Their starting 15 is very very good. But they have zero depth. It was noted pre game that that was one area Tipp clearly had them bet. I think this lack of depth has occurred in part due to the lack of a challenge in Leinster. When they rotate, it is against much lesser opposition. Their 15 is good, their panel is untested, under developed. When it came to it last weekend, 3 subs made, one enforced. Where as Cork or Tipp will use their 5 and get an impact.

There's a hangover among many in the media to talk them up. They are Kilkenny sure, never bet, here they are in another All Ireland semi final, so consistent and theyve made 2 All Ireland finals recently coming of a 6 in a row Leinster run. But that success hides the reality that up against Munster opposition throughout those 6 seasons, their record is incredibly poor. 2 wins, 6 losses in 8 games. Its the kind of form that would see them finish 4th most years in Munster.

They had everything go for them for 70 minutes last weekend. Their two young stars in Cody and Mullen back fit and starting. Familiarity with Croke Park against a team that haven't played there in years, a great start while Tipp found their feet. I thought they won the easier frees and got away with a lot more 1st half. Looked to me that Butler could have been booked for a swipe across McCarthy for his goal. Went a man up from a soft foul, got away with a red for Deegan I think and Butler was booked instead, who should have been on yellow from the first half anyway. 15 minutes with a free man, 2 points up with 6 minutes of normal time to play. The score board issue shouldnt hide the fact that that was a clear failure by them.

Not to the level we suffered against Dublin mind you, but still a big failure from their own point of view.

I can see Munster remaining competitive for a few more years, I can then see us fall away a little and Cork and Tipp take up the top two positions consistently. But in Leinster, all I can see is Kilkenny regressing yet still keeping that top spot. Unless Galway re-awaken, its a bleak looking Leinster Championship. Kilkenny and Wexfords attentances were dreadful this year. There is nothing there to show me more people will come through the gates in 2026.

Those very early all Irelands are crazy though, there's all sorts of bizarre stuff going on in the early championships, matches cancelled for insane reasons, teams walking off, finals played two years after, etc. The 1905 final was played in 1907. Cork beat kilkenny (in a very high scoring game especially for the time) but their keeper was a reservist in the British army so it was replayed and kilkenny won the replay (scoring seven goals!).

In conclusion we don't have to count tipps early ones.

Stuff like people calling for replays because a scoreboard was wrong 🤣

Ya you're right though some of the early years are mad. Still count though especially Limerick being the only team with a 100% record in All Ireland football finals 😁

50% of the forwards being from outside the final probably won't happen.

Usually the final 2 get around 12 All Stars so it's possible but I don't see it.

When you come to think about it though it's actually a very good achievement. Would I be right in saying that Kerry have done the same in the football?

The puck out only gets to the 21. It's like watching a different sport.....

That's unbelievable. I thought with all Kerrys All Irelands they would have won one in every decade.