The hurling draft concludes with 2025, and Leitrim are coming

Fri, 20 Feb, 2026 - 10:31

Jack McKay

And so the draft reaches its final iteration, 2025. After four seasons of a hypothetical hurling world with a professional setup that mirrors the NFL in America, with the weakest teams given the opportunity to sign the best up and coming players and the best teams forced to survive with what they’ve got, there’s a huge difference at this stage in the quality of teams.

Of course, in real life Cork and Tipperary were the 2025 All-Ireland finalists – both teams actually reaching that stage with many of the young stars brought through their All-Ireland U20 winning teams.

But, since neither side would have the young players they produced in the years before, neither reach the All-Ireland final. Instead, the best teams vying for Liam MacCarthy are Kilkenny, Clare, Dublin and Waterford, all teams that wouldn’t be as reliant on recent U20 graduates.

It also means that the top 11 teams are starting to feel the squeeze from those behind. While the middle block of teams competing at Joe McDonagh and Christy Ring level haven’t improved enough to challenge the top brass, there are some absolute powerhouses being put together among the Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher teams.

Cork's Barry Walsh in action against Wexford in their recent U20 challenge. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

But the most interesting team to look at in this world would be the Derry hurlers. Because, with a decent enough team starting out, they’ve climbed the ranks based on what they’ve been able to add with a lot of mid-range draft picks that have turned out to be steals.

Heading into the 2025 season they would be coming in with Ben O’Connor (because, in a professional hurling world, he may not have focussed on rugby), Diarmuid Healy, Diarmuid Hegarty, and rising Tipperary star Conor Martin. With those four alone, there’s no way they wouldn’t be pushing Offaly and Laois for the Joe McDonagh title.

Because, of course, Offaly won’t be competing in the Leinster championship, not without all of their All-Ireland U20 medallists, scattered across the country thanks to the draft.

As a result of the draft, Meath, Longford, Leitrim and Cavan are all on the climb.

Waterford's Daniel Lalor in action against Offaly's Dan Bourke. Picture: ©INPHO

And when you add in Leitrim’s pick of Limerick’s Sean Casey, in the space of five seasons they’ve added him, Sam O’Farrell, Adam English, Joe Fitzpatrick and Adam Screeney.

Suddenly they start to look very, very strong.

First round draft picks 2025:

1 Mark O’Brien (Limerick) – selected by Mayo

2 Daniel Lalor (Waterford) – selected by Fermanagh

3 James Organ (Clare) – selected by Cavan

4 Sean Casey (Limerick) – selected by Leitrim

5 Ollie Gaffney (Dublin) – selected by Roscommon

6 Ed McDermott (Kilkenny) – selected by Armagh

7 David Costigan (Tipperary) – selected by Donegal

8 Conor Lawless (Galway) – selected by Monaghan

9 Michael Brennan (Kilkenny) – selected by Longford

10 Barry Walsh (Cork) – selected by Wicklow