How the teams line-up for this year's Championship

ANTRIM

Manager: Jerry Wallace (first year). Titles: Ulster 51 (holders), All-Ireland None. Last year: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Wexford 1-11 to 3-16 and All-Ireland qualifier phase three 0-12 to 3-22 to Limerick. NHL position: 5th Division One B.

An uninspiring league campaign was partially explained by the absence of the Loughgiel players – en route to an All-Ireland title – and acclimatisation to the short, support game favoured by Jerry Wallace. Last weekend’s defeat by Westmeath was a shock and it will be difficult to plot a way very far into the qualifiers.

WATERFORD

Manager: Michael Ryan (first year). Titles: Munster 9 (2010), All-Ireland 2 (1959). Last year: Lost Munster final to Tipperary 0-19 to 7-19 and All-Ireland semi-final to Kilkenny 1-16 to 2-19. NHL position: 4th Division One A.

Despite injuries and the teething pains of new management, Waterford performed a notable escape from relegation to preserve their place at the top. Injury problems mean it will be an understrength team that takes on Clare. Even fully restored it’s hard to imagine they can extend their All-Ireland semi-final sequence to a seventh year.

LIMERICK

Manager: John Allen (first year). Titles: Munster 18 (1996), All-Ireland 7 (1973). Last year: Lost Munster semi-final to Waterford 3-14 to 3-15, lost All-Ireland quarter-final to Dublin 0-18 to 3-13. NHL position: Runners up Division One B and finalists.

The improvement wrought by Donal OGrady has been destabilised, not least by the almost immediate sniping at John Allen but also by unwelcome turbulence such as selector Ciarán Carey’s departure. The county still has some good young hurlers but Séamus Hickey’s injury is a blow and this could be a difficult summer.

WESTMEATH

Manager: Brian Hanley (second year). Titles: Leinster none, All-Ireland none. Last year: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Galway 2-14 to 4-17 and All-Ireland qualifier preliminary round to Antrim 1-19 to 2-25. NHL position: 2nd Division Two A.

The disappointment of losing out on promotion against Carlow was eased by last weeks fine, 14-man win over Ulster champions Antrim. Brian Hanley has recast the team – just six survivors from last year a week ago – and engineered a great spirit in the side despite some injuries. Galway didnt find it easy last year and will be forewarned.

LAOIS

Manager: Teddy McCarthy (first year). Titles: Leinster 3 (1949), All-Ireland 1 (1915). Last year: Lost Leinster preliminary to Antrim 3-12 to 1-21 and All-Ireland qualifier preliminary round to Cork 1-13 to 10-20. NHL position: 6th Division One B and relegated.

A poor league campaign was redeemed by a heavy defeat of Carlow last weekend. Willie Hylands form in shooting 0-13 was the obvious difference but Darren Maher and Matthew Whelan constitute a solid defensive spine. Werent humiliated by next opponents Dublin two years ago despite being down to 14 men.

GALWAY

Manager: Anthony Cunningham (first year). Titles: Connacht 21 (1999, discontinued), All-Ireland 4 (1988). Last year: Lost Leinster semi-final to Dublin 2-7 to 0-19 and All-Ireland quarter-final to Waterford 2-13 to 2-23. NHL position: 5th Division One.

It’s seven years since Galway reached even an All-Ireland semi-final. League was mixed but at least relegation was staved off by Joe Cannings timely return. Niall Burke had a good campaign but have the question marks over the other central positions been resolved? This is a long-term project in a county desperate for short-term movement.

KILKENNY

Manager: Brian Cody (13th year). Titles: Leinster 68 (holders), All-Ireland 33 (holders). Last year: Leinster champions and All-Ireland champions. NHL position: 1st Division One and winners.

A year ago they looked vulnerable; now they look invincible again. The biggest concern has been the plague of injuries but Henry Shefflin is on the comeback trail even if Michael Fennelly’s projected loss until August is serious. Some fine prospects, Cillian Buckley and Richie Doyle, popped up in the league. No-one’s a certainty but there aren’t many plausible challengers.

DUBLIN

Manager: Anthony Daly (fourth year). Titles: Leinster 23 (1961), All-Ireland 6 (1938). Last year: Lost Leinster final to Kilkenny 1-15 to 4-17, lost All-Ireland semi-final to Tipperary 0-18 to 1-19. NHL position: 6th Division One A and relegated.

Although league ended in relegation the campaign wasn’t without its pluses given the staggering injury list and series of close-run matches. Danny Sutcliffe was the stand-out performer of the rising generation and some long-term casualties are coming back. Really need a big show against Kilkenny, assuming they beat Laois.

CLARE

Manager: Davy Fitzgerald (first year). Titles: Munster 6 (1998), All-Ireland 3 (1997). Last year: Lost Munster semi-final to Tipperary 1-19 to 4-19, lost All-Ireland qualifier phase two to Galway 0-20 to 4-25. NHL position: Top of Division One B and winners of divisional final.

Davy Fitzgerald has done a steadying job: the league’s only 100 per cent record, a divisional title and, most importantly, promotion. Now it gets trickier. Fit and fired up but the quality of the team is uneven with Darach Honan missing with long-term injury. They’ll still fancy themselves against a fading Waterford.

WEXFORD

Manager: Liam Dunne (first year). Titles: Leinster 20 (2004), All-Ireland 6 (1996). Last year: Lost Leinster semi-final to Kilkenny 1-15 to 1-26, lost All-Ireland qualifier phase two to Limerick 2-13 to 1-22. NHL position: 5th Division One B.

The scale of Liam Dunne’s rebuilding task is evident in how Wexford went from seemingly preserving top-flight status last year to a play-off to avoid dropping to the third tier. Trialling during the campaign uncovered promising forwards, Jack Guiney and Paul Morris but he will do well to repeat the league win over Offaly.

CORK

Manager: Jimmy Barry-Murphy (first year). Titles: Munster 50 (2006), All-Ireland 30 (2005). Last year: Lost Munster quarter-final to Tipperary 0-23 to 3-22, lost All-Ireland qualifier phase three to Galway 1-14 to 2-23. NHL position: Runners-up Division One A and finalists

Things have gone well for JBM on his return to management. Even the sobering league final taught valuable lessons and vindicated his cautious realism on taking the position. Conor Lehanes emergence has greatly enhanced the attack’s potential but the loss of Dónal Óg Cusack is huge.

TIPPERARY

Manager: Declan Ryan (second year). Titles: Munster 39 (holders), All-Ireland 26 (2010). Last year: Munster champions, lost All-Ireland final to Kilkenny 1-16 to 2-17. NHL position: 3rd Division One A.

A critical year for Tipp, showing more signs of mental fatigue than a Kilkenny team who have enjoyed a decade of serial success. Lar Corbetts return is important if he can recapture the goal scoring form of the past three seasons but getting Patrick Maher back on the field and Brendan Maher back in top form will also be necessary.

OFFALY

Manager: Ollie Baker (first year). Titles: Leinster 9 (1995), All-Ireland 4 (1998). Last year: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Dublin 1-20 to 2-21 and All-Ireland qualifier phase one to Cork 2-16 to 2-17. NHL position: 3rd Division One B.

A disappointing league, as a place in the final was achievable on the last day against 14-man Clare. Events conspired against Ollie Baker in that Coolderrys All-Ireland run depleted the panel and Rory Hanniffy broke a thumb before the Clare game. At full strength and with Shane Dooleys prolific scoring they can escape the recent stranglehold of Wexford

CARLOW

Manager: Kevin Ryan (fourth year). Titles: Leinster none, All-Ireland none. Last year: Lost Leinster preliminary round to Westmeath 1-14 to 4-10 and All-Ireland qualifier phase one to Antrim 1-12 to 0-23. NHL position: Unbeaten winners of Division Two A

Having gained promotion in the league – while Laois were going in the other direction – Carlow may have had hopes of repeating last year’s win, but a subdued first half and a penalty miss early in the second meant they trailed the whole match. Some of the injuries might clear, but morale will remain delicate.