Leinster Hurling Championship - County-by-County Guide

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Manager: Anthony Cunningham (4th season). Titles: Connacht 21 (1999, discontinued), Leinster 1 (2012), All-Ireland 4 (1988). 2015 championship: Won their Leinster quarter-final with Dublin in a replay in Tullamore, running out 5-19 to 1-18 winners. Beat Laois in semi-final 3-28 to 1-14. Lost final to Kilkenny 2-15 to 1-25. Last eight win over Cork (2-28 to 0-22) and semi-final 0-26 to 3-16 victory against Tipperary. Lost the final 1-18 to 1-22 v Kilkenny.

How it unfolded

Before the Dublin replay the only team they had beaten since nearly winning the All-Ireland in 2012 was Laois. That all changed in spectacular fashion as they blitzed Dublin in the quarter-final replay in Tullamore, where the full-forward line scored 5-15. Cheddar Plunkett’s Laois side were dismissed with similar aplomb. Galway are always dangerous when their tails are up, and showed they aren't too far off Kilkenny in the Leinster final. Echoed that again against Cork and that steady rate of improvement continued as they mustered one of their most complete and consistent performances in many a year against Tipperary. That improvement still wasn't enough though come September as the Cat's came from three behind at the interval to breeze to a four point win and another All-Ireland. The wait for Liam McCarthy goes on and for all the hurling, no silverware to show for it.


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