7 Things we Learned from the Hurling League (Round 2 – NHL 2026)

A weekly DSS Coaching piece by Brendan Delaney, focusing on learnings from the National Hurling League through coaching and performance.

This week in brief:

Black Card Clarity

Unfortunately, our headlines are being dominated by cards and wording of rules. Over the opening two weekends, we have had 4 black cards and penalties. The wording of the rule states, ‘deliberately pulling down an opponent to deny a goal-scoring opportunity, tripping an opponent or reckless use of the hurley.’ This has caused controversy since it’s inclusion, despite the correct decision being made more times than not. Waterford have been involved in three of these decisions over the past two weekends. Matthew Fitzgerald of Limerick was harshly penalised as he didn’t pull down, trip or use his hurley recklessly towards his opponent but the decision was made and Limerick concede a penalty and play with 14 men for 10 minutes. I feel referees need to be supported further in this as the ‘double penalising’ can be massive for referees to only have the chance to see it once in real time. The wording of the rule also states a goal-scoring opportunity, not a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The argument could be made that with the skill level and speed of strike of these players, any possession inside the D moving the towards the opposition goals is a goal-scoring opportunity. Clarity of the wording and more support for referees is essential before this causes further controversy in the summer.

Full Forward Lines

Looking at the shape of the full forward lines always interests me as in my opinion, it’s the most exciting line on the pitch. How can our coaches set up the team in a way to get as many scoring opportunities as close to goal as possible with the potential to get goal scoring chances as well. Although it is hard to tell off one fixture, I don’t think Limerick’s full forward line works as efficiently without Peter Casey. He is one of the most underrated hurlers in Ireland and his movement, work rate and finishing ability is unmatched in the ‘floating’ corner forward position. Cork have tweaked their full forward line slightly under Ben O’Connor and William Buckley played that roaming role excellently the first day out against Waterford as they look to go from 3 up to 2 up with a floater, similar to Limerick. Kerry scoring 7 goals in their opening two fixtures is a great start following a disappointing year last year, James Keyes and Cillian Dunne scoring 5-4 between them from Laois’ full forward line against Mayo and Sligo’s Gerard O’Kelly Lynch raising 4 green flags across the 2 games from full forward line shows how effective the full forward line can be. Kilkenny’s decision to be playing Eoin Cody at centre forward is an interesting one and time will tell if they stick or twist as they didn’t rattle any goal against Offaly. Galway’s deployment of Rabbitte inside gives them a fantastic focal point and Aaron Niland work rate, and finishing is working really well from them, despite being a bit further away than expected. Clare’s David Reidy and Shane Meehan have started the league lively up front and will certainly be putting pressure on their more established starters. It is very early days yet to make full conclusions from these games about the full forward lines will set up and we may see a change back to 3 up when the ground hardens up.

Tipperary Squad Depth

Tipperary have continued where they left of with two strong victories in their opening two games. No doubt tougher tests will come than Offaly and Galway’s young Tribesmen but the squad and competition within the squad is extremely strong for Liam Cahill’s men. They were a team who continued to improve up until the All-Ireland final last year with personnel changing throughout, a great position for the management team to be in. In the same breath, it’s great for players in the squad, knowing they will get a chance if they go well in training and these games. Gearoid O’Connor has been drafted back into the squad; Paddy McCormack has kicked on again as well as Josh Keller and Jack Leamy impressing against Offaly. The ever-present Jake Morris and Jason Forde led the line with fantastic leadership against Galway and Offaly respectively.

Mixing Styles of Play 

Teams are constantly evolving and changing and on the evidence of the opening weekends, a hybrid approach of teams using a running game and delivery to a deep full forward line is extremely evident. I really like Galway’s Jason Rabbitte at full forward who for a young man is a very effective target man. His ability to maintain possession but complimented excellently by the running options they have in attack coming off his shoulder. Tipperary’s running game has improved as well with great energy around the middle complimenting the ever-present free scoring forwards in their attack. Waterford looked a different animal against Limerick having Michael Kiely as their focal point in attack. Having a mixture of these styles puts pressure on opposition defenders as to where to deploy themselves. If they sit back to cover the long ball in, the runners from deep pick off points. If they push forward, you’re more exposed for a long ball into the full forward line. This is not something entirely new, but as more and more teams go towards this approach it will be interesting to see what element will be the winning and losing of these games.

Importance of Free Takers

The more things change, the more things stay the same. Hurling has evolved massively over the years but having a clinical free taker will always be an essential aspect in winning games and winning championships. Mark Rodgers and Donal Burke (0-23 each) continue to impress for Clare and Dublin respectively across the opening two weekends. Reuben Halloran has been excellent for Waterford striking 0-24 in the absence of Stephen Bennett, which will no doubt ease the pressure on him if and when he does return. Looking further down the leagues, we sometimes see a stronger reliance on free takers. Donegal’s, Gerard Gilmore has been front and centre to their strong start to the season with 0-18 in the opening two games in division three with Jack Kelly of Laois achieving the same tally in division two. Leitrim’s Sean O’Riordan has totalled 0-19 despite the winning result evading them on both occasions in division four with Clare native Niall Arthur with a hugely impressive 0-15 in Monaghan’s game against Lancashire. We know how important free takers are to success but also how difficult they can be, particularly at this time of year. A strong start overall for the dead ball specialists right throughout the leagues.

Physicality and Conditioning of Players

Year on year I am being blown away by the physical condition our amateur players are taking to the field in. It is no surprise that the players with this mentality and discipline reach the heights of elite players in the county. It is no longer a season followed by an off-season where these players put their feet up and sit on a bar stool for a few months. These players are constantly improving, maintaining and increasing fitness levels from one year to the next. A special mention has to go to the support staff for the players, physios, S&C, nutritionists, sport scientists as these players reach new heights year on year.

Tipperary Dominance

Nenagh CBS claimed their second Harty Cup title in three years overcoming St Flannan’s on Saturday afternoon in a fantastic game of hurling, a real old school Harty type fixture followed by some great pictures and videos of the celebration. St Joseph’s College Borrisoleigh also won the u19 ‘C’ Munster defeating Dungarvan CBS. Combining these victories with the u20 All-Ireland win in 2025 and the work being done at underage squad level, Tipperary are in a really strong position to dominant hurling for years to come, if they can translate that to senior, which we all know is the hardest of all.

See you next week!

Brendan

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