From the All-Ireland championship to the National Leagues - we rank the hurling performances in 2015.
Last year’s placing in brackets.
1: (1) Kilkenny
Despite a number of high-profile retirements before any ball was thrown in, the Cats still had the wherewithal to secure another All-Ireland title. When it mattered most they pulled away from Galway in the decider – a case of normal service resumed – and claimed an 11th Liam MacCarthy success under the watch of Brian Cody.
Earlier in the year, they preserved their Division 1 status when squeezing past Clare in what was for them a rare relegation play-off.
2016 prospects: Quite simply, it’s win as much as you can on Noreside and don’t be surprised when the Cats go flat out to regain their league title before embarking on their Leinster and All-Ireland defence against either Dublin or Wexford. The month of June may be the time to derail their September quest, but it’s hard to see such an ambush happening at this juncture.
2: (8) Galway
It was looking good for Galway at half-time in the All-Ireland final but they failed to turn up in the second period, leaving Kilkenny to win the game with comparative ease.
After an ordinary league campaign, the Tribesmen found a rich vein of form in the summer and impressed when accounting for Dublin (after a replay), Laois, Cork and Tipperary, before then laying down a marker to the Cats for 35 minutes on All-Ireland day.
But by the middle of November, Anthony Cunningham was gone as manager, resigning after he lost the confidence of the players. Cunningham said he believed that the motives of a core group of players, orchestrated with the help of "others outside Galway", eventually forced him to walk away.
2016 prospects: Micheál Donoghue has been handed the reigns now by the county board, but just like the situation in Mayo, the pressure will be on the Galway squad to deliver something tangible in the months ahead. Looking at their schedule, they should make a Leinster final, which would keep them involved at least until the end of July.
3: (2) Tipperary
Eamon O’Shea’s three-year stint ended with silverware – a Munster title – but no All-Ireland after Galway edged them out in an epic semi-final.
Lar Corbett, Shane McGrath, James Woodlock and Conor O’Mahony have all since called time on their careers. New manager Michael Ryan has some gaps to fill but, tellingly, has emphasised that under his watch, Tipp will be placing a greater emphasis on physicality - particularly around the middle third.
2016 prospects: They remain a force and if Ryan can get that extra edge in the physicality stakes to complement their attacking prowess, then they should be challenging strongly on all fronts.
4: (9) Waterford
Derek McGrath’s Déise were unbeaten until Tipperary wore them down in the Munster final on 12 July. Before that, they deservedly won a first Division 1 league title since 2007. Their style of play may not appeal to everybody, with former Kilkenny defender Eddie O’Connor claiming they were largely to blame for a forgettable hurling year. A bit harsh, perhaps!
McGrath’s project is a work in progress and we’ll wait to see how more offensive the side will be when the league comes around.
2016 prospects: The return of Pauric Mahony from a long lay-off due to a broken leg will aid their cause and the experience of last year will no doubt stand to some of the younger members in the squad. You can expect a spicy meeting with Clare in the Munster semi.
5: (6) Dublin
It was a mixed first year in charge for Ger Cunningham. The league semi-final saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Cork, while Galway gave them a fair scutching in their Leinster replay.
That said, the Dubs did show their resolve in battling back from eight points down to pip Limerick in the qualifiers. The news that Danny Sutcliffe has opted off the panel is a significant blow for Cunningham as the squad finalises plans for the year ahead.
2016 prospects: Won’t be looking beyond Wexford in the Leinster quarter-final after a spring campaign that sees them face away assignments against Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford.
6: (4) Cork
The curtain came down on Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s second coming as Cork boss after the 12-point loss to Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Indeed the Rebels were the lucky that the winning margin was not greater. It was a sad way for JBM to depart. The early part of the season saw another bad defeat to Waterford in the league final.
Kieran Kingston, a selector with Barry-Murphy and an All-Ireland winner from 1986, now takes the reins.
2016 prospects: Because of Cork’s lack of recent underage success, the view persists that September glory is still well beyond them. Their cause next summer is also not helped by having to beat both Tipperary and Limerick just to get to a Munster final.
7: (3) Limerick
A step, perhaps even two steps back for Limerick, after a season where they so easily could have reached an All-Ireland final. A careless defeat at home to Offaly cost them dearly with regard to league promotion and then the manner of their championship losses clearly showed that they were not at the required pitch.
An All-Ireland success at U-21 level at least shows that the conveyor belt of talent within the county is in good working order.
2016 prospects: Getting out of Division 1B would represent a positive start to year, but it won’t be easy. The benefit of a decent league run for TJ Ryan’s side is important so as to leave them in good shape to face either or Cork or Tipp on 18 June.
8: (7) Clare
It was a consecutive season where the Banner failed to scale the heights that brought them ultimate glory in 2013. Davy Fitzgerald cut a frustrated figure as Kilkenny edged his side by a point in the Division 1 relegation play-off at the end of March.
The Munster campaign again saw defeat by the bare minimum, as Limerick prevailed. And while Offaly were cast aside with the minimum of fuss on the first stop through the back door, Clare subsequently could not live with Cork’s late surge and so their championship was at an end by 11 July.
Fast forward to the October Bank Holiday Monday and the news that Dónal Óg Cusack would join Davy Fitz’s backroom team. A surprising development, but one that could shake things up in the campaign ahead.
2016 prospects: Pressure will be on all involved to get back to the top flight in the spring and then to ensure that they are right in the mix for the bigger prize later on.
9: (5) Wexford
After the thrills that Wexford gave us in 2014, it was a case of a step back in the season just gone. Their quest for promotion from 1B faltered badly against Waterford and they never really got going come the summer against Kilkenny. They left themselves too much to do when going down to Cork in the back door. On a more positive note, the U-21s did reach an All-Ireland and Oulart finally claimed a Leinster club title.
2016 prospects: Jack Guiney is back in the fold after falling foul of manager Liam Dunne’s disciplinary standards. If the squad can recapture the drive from the summer before last then they are capable of upsetting a few counties above them in the pecking order.
10: (10) Laois
The Leinster quarter-final win over Offaly was the standout moment for ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s troops, guaranteeing them a place with the big boys in Leinster. However, heavy defeats to Galway and Dublin subsequently took some of the shine off their summer
2016 prospects: It’s a crucial year for the ‘Cheddar’ project after Tommy Fitzgerald, John A Delaney, Brian Stapleton and James Walsh called time on their careers. Can Laois move on and really push for promotion to the top tier and the can they emulate this year’s achievement by reaching another provincial semi-final?
11: (11) Offaly
The Faithful's stock has fallen alarmingly in recent seasons and 2015 saw them lose a championship match to Laois for the first time since 1972. As a consequence of that, Offaly must navigate the Leinster qualifying group next season.
Brian Whelehan’s time in charge ended and a working group chaired by former Tipperary manager, Liam Sheedy, recommended former Kerry boss Eamonn Kelly as the new man to take over.
2016 prospects: It will be interesting to see what Kelly’s impact will be. Promotion to hurling’s top tier still looks beyond them, but winning the Leinster round robin should be attainable.
12: (14) Westmeath
It was a year of progress for the midlanders under the guidance of Michael Ryan. Wins over Carlow and Antrim saw them through to the Leinster championship proper where they gave a good account against Wexford. They also had Limerick worried in their qualifier encounter.
2016 prospects: Ryan’s charges should be in the mix for league promotion and having tasted the provincial championship proper will be disappointed if they don’t get back there again.
13: (-) Kerry
They may not have competed for the Liam MacCarthy but it was a year to remember for Kerry hurling.
On a Saturday afternoon in April, they just got the better of Antrim to secure a place in Division 1B of the league for next season. And then on a Saturday afternoon in June, they easily overcame Derry in the Christy Ring Cup final to make the step up to championship hurling. Kerry will now participate in the 2016 Leinster hurling championship.
Credit due to manager Eamonn Kelly and his backroom team that included former Tipperary custodian Brendan Cummins. Kelly subsequently has moved on to manage Offaly, with former Limerick star Ciarán Carey now in charge.
2016 prospects: The step up to the next level will be a challenge, though having home advantage against Westmeath and Carlow in Leinster will gives them hope of survival in that section.
14: (13) Carlow
A third-place finish in Division 2A and a trouncing of Antrim in the Leinster round-robin were the highlights of Carlow’s year. Indeed, Pat English’s side were most competitive in their provincial campaign, running Westmeath and Laois to two and three points respectively. Can they now build on that in the season ahead?
2016 prospects: Should again be in the upper half of their league section, though having two games away from home against Offaly and Kerry in the championship qualifier makes their task there that little bit harder.
15: (12) Antrim
2015 was a year to forget for the Saffrons as they lost they lost their Division 1B and Liam McCarthy Cup status. Kevin Ryan, not surprisingly, stepped down as manager.
The Antrim board have turned to former Loughgiel Shamrocks boss PJ O’Mullan to lead them out of the abyss. Assisting O’Mullan will be Justin McCarthy, who had a spell managing the county in the 1970s.
2016 prospects: The new regime have spoken about the potential that’s in the county to get back to the level they want to be at. You’d fancy Antrim to win the Christy Ring Cup but playing at a lower level in the league may not be the best preparation for a potential second-tier promotion play-off.
Outside Liam MacCarthy competition
16: Derry
2015 saw the hurlers of Derry reach their first Christy Ring final. While they were well beaten by Kerry in the decider, the Oakleafers can reflect on a decent season. Can they now make a push to get promotion from Division 2A when competitive action resumes?
17: Kildare
The Lilywhites gained promotion to 2A when accounting for Meath on Easter Saturday. However, a 36-point loss to Kerry in the semi-final was a sad end to their defence of the Christy Ring Cup.
18: Down
Scoring difference denied the Mourne County a place in the Division 2B decider. Their interest in the Christy Ring ended at the penultimate stage, with Derry prevailing by five points in Owenbeg.
19: Meath
The Royals twice found Kildare too good for them in crucial matches, namely the 2B final and the Christy Ring quarter-final.
20: London
It was a disappointing year for the Exiles, as they finished second bottom in Division 2A ahead of a Christy Ring campaign that saw them well beaten by Down in the quarter-final.
21: Wicklow
The Garden County certainly weren’t blooming early on as they slipped down to 2B. It didn’t improve a whole lot thereafter but a 1-18 to 1-11 win over Mayo on 23 May saw them maintain their place in the Christy Ring Cup.
22: Roscommon
It was joy unconfined for the Roscommon hurlers on 6 June as a last-gasp Michael Kelly goal gave them a one-point win over Armagh in the Nicky Rackard Cup final.
2016 sees the county contest the Christy Ring and before that there is the goal of trying to get promotion from Division 3A.
23: Mayo
Mayo had only one win to show from their Division 2B campaign. After that they found their neighbours Roscommon too good for the right to compete in next year’s Christy Ring Cup.
24: Armagh
There was heartache for Armagh after the Rossies struck late to deny them a piece of summer silverware. Their league campaign was solid and they just missed out on a place in the 2B final on scoring difference.
25: Donegal
After five losses in their regulation league campaign, Donegal pulled themselves together to beat Tyrone and so preserve their Division 2B berth for 2016.
Their Nicky Rackard journey ended at the last-four stage against Armagh.
26: Tyrone
Decent league showing in Division 3A, but just fell short in their quest to rise to the next level. Eventual winners Roscommon had five points to spare over the Red Hand in the Rackard semi-final.
27: Monaghan
The Farney County contested the Division 3A decider but just fell short against Tyrone. Donegal’s victory was more comfortable when Monaghan exited the Nicky Rackard Cup at the quarter-final stage.
28: Fingal
A fourth-place finish in Division 3A was the precursor to reaching the quarter-finals of the Nicky Rackard where they lost to Tyrone by four points.
29: Fermanagh
On an emotional day for Fermanagh hurling, a first ever Lory Meagher Cup title was dedicated to the memory of former team-mate Shane Mulholland, who was killed in a road crash earlier in the year.
The Ernesiders, despite having three men sent off in the second half, had five points to spare over Sligo in the final and can now look forward to playing at a higher level next May.
30: Longford
After failing to get promotion to Division 3A, the year did have a positive ending for the Midlanders as they maintained their spot in the Nicky Rackard Cup when beating Louth in the relegation play-off.
31: Louth
Louth finished second bottom in Division 3A and then lost their Nicky Rackard status after a one-point play-off defeat to Fermanagh.
32: Sligo
The Yeats County had a miserable league campaign but did get to the Lory Meagher final where they lost to Fermanagh. Sligo, however, will have some regrets as they failed to push home their numerical advantage against opponents who finished the game with 12 men.
33: Leitrim
Finished third in Division 3B and had summer victories over Warwickshire and Lancashire.
34: Warwickshire
Gained promotion to Division 3A after getting the better of Longford by two points in the bottom-tier decider.
35: Lancashire
The North of England outfit failed to pick up a win from their four games in the Lory Meagher Cup.
Read more: Football rankings 2015
