Hurling league stats: Limerick used more players than any other Munster county

All managers were looking for something slightly different out of the Hurling League. Studying the game time doled out across the squads helps to indicate where they stand heading into Championship.

There was a greater range of approaches among the Leinster participants, with Galway starting 35 different players compared to Offaly's 20, but here we focus on the Munster Championship contenders.

Clare

Players used: 33; 

Started a game: 30; 

Started 3+ games: 18; 

Started every game: 3; 

Played every minute: 1.

The defending League and All-Ireland champions used fewer players than last year, with injuries a limiting factor.

Hurler of the Year Shane O'Donnell will remain out beyond his usual spring break and Diarmuid Ryan has yet to reappear. Conor Cleary, David McInerney, and Peter Duggan also missed extended spells, with the latter's red card against Cork and subsequent suspension meaning he heads into Championship with just 16 minutes played.

Young Hurler of the Year Adam Hogan became the cog around which the defence was built, playing every minute. 

Midfield duo Ryan Taylor, who missed so much of last year through injury, and Cathal Malone, who went travelling after their Liam MacCarthy success, have started every match.

Having begun the League with only one of their All-Ireland starting forwards available, they have slowly reintegrated most of that unit.

Cork 

Players used: 34; 

Started a game: 28; 

Started 3+ games: 16; 

Started every game: 5; 

Played every minute: 1.

Pat Ryan is focused on fine-tuning a highly settled panel in his third year at the helm. That was emphasised by the consistency of selection running through his team.

It was especially evident in their telepathic attack where speedsters Darragh Fitzgibbon and Shane Barrett, plus targetman Brian Hayes, despite his injury scare, have started every match. Much of their 13-goal haul in the past three games owes to that innate understanding between teammates.

Behind them, Tim O'Mahony matched that feat and got in on the goal-scoring act too.

Their defence has kept three clean sheets in a row with Niall O'Leary present for all of the 490 minutes played. Fitzgibbon may well have completed the set too but for the head knock which saw him withdrawn in the League final.

In addition, Cormac O'Brien has featured in every match, collecting five starts and two substitute appearances. Patrick Collins also came on as a temporary sub in the game he didn't start.

Limerick

Players used: 36; 

Started a game: 32; 

Started 3+ games: 17; 

Started every game: 1; 

Played every minute: 0.

John Kiely didn't call on quite as many as the 39 players he used last year but the game time was adjusted towards some of those emerging prospects.

Adam English started every match between midfield and attack, only missing four minutes of regulation time in six games.

New captain Cian Lynch featured in every game, a feat matched by David Reidy and UCC student Eddie Stokes.

They have been shorn of many regulars with Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes, Dan Morrissey, Darragh O'Donovan, Gearóid Hegarty, and Peter Casey enduring interrupted game time.

Once an All-Star attacker, Shane Dowling looks to have secured the number one jersey on his return from a four-and-a-half-year retirement in Nickie Quaid's absence.

Tipperary

Players used: 32; 

Started a game: 29; 

Started 3+ games: 17; 

Started every game: 4; 

Played every minute: 2.

Liam Cahill's focus has been on bedding in his preferred 15, although some tough analysis will follow their League final defeat.

With tightening up their defence a core aim, Eoghan Connolly and Michael Breen have played every minute alongside each other in the full-back line. Rookie Robert Doyle has joined them since his half-time introduction on day one against Galway.

Craig Morgan had started every game in a new midfield berth while Jake Morris featured throughout with the briefest exception in beating Kilkenny.

Waterford

Players used: 35; 

Started a game: 34; 

Started 3+ games: 19; 

Started every game: 2; 

Played every minute: 1.

Peter Queally could hardly have asked for worse injury luck as he embarked on his debut campaign.

He has juggled 35 players through the team, with 34 getting a start, as he slowly reintegrated his core group.

Mark Fitzgerald has continued his ever-present status from 2024 through the season so far and must've run Stephen Bennett close for Man of the Match in the Division 1B final with 0-3 and the goal assist from wing-back.

Relative newcomer Conor Sheahan from Ballygunner has started every match in midfield.

Conor Prunty, Patrick Fitzgerald, Jack Prendergast, Kevin Mahony, Carthach Daly, and Michael Kiely are working their way back to fitness but Austin Gleeson, with only 12 minutes under his belt, faces a longer layoff due to a hamstring injury.