Now that summer has arrived and championship has begun, it's time for an update of our hurling rankings. See how your county has fared since our last standings at the end of March.

1. KILKENNY (up 1)

Despite a disappointing 2013 campaign, the Cats look like a different animal this year. They have responded admirably to early league defeats inflicted by Clare and Dublin, and have been unbeaten since mid-March. They have shown how ruthless they can be in the demolition jobs of Waterford, Wexford and Offaly, while they have also proven their hunger and battling qualities with narrow victories over Galway and Tipperary to claim the Division 1A title. With Henry Shefflin set to return, Brian Cody will be quietly confident about his sides' chances this year.

2. CORK (up 1)

Last year's runners up have been very efficient this year. They've regained their top-flight status for 2015 by topping Division 1B and have improved immeasurably since the beginning of the Munster championship. Cork gave an impressive display in the quarter-final replay to overcome Waterford by double scores, and went on the exorcise last year's demons with a fine performance against Clare. Limerick now await Jimmy Barry Murphy's men in the Munster final. The topical "Nash Rule" has not distracted the Rebels, and with Aidan Walsh and Patrick Horgan finding form, they look a serious outfit.

3. CLARE (down 2)

The reigning All-Ireland senior and U21 champions have had an indifferent season so far. They have failed to reach the heights of last year, despite finishing top of the Division 1A league. The Banner suffered losses at the hands of Dublin and Tipperary, and last weekend's defeat to Cork has left Davy Fitzgerald facing the qualifiers route yet again. However, it is not all doom and gloom. Cork's two extra championship outings gave them the edge against Clare and many believe the qualifiers will suit the Banner who will undoubtedly improve no-end from last Sunday's meeting.

4. TIPPERARY (up 1)

After scraping through to the league quarter-finals on goal difference, Tipp captured some form to overcome both of last year's All-Ireland finalists before narrowly losing out in the league final to Kilkenny after extra-time. This would have instilled a lot of confidence in Eamon O' Shea's camp going into championship, but somewhat surprisingly, they fell at the first hurdle to reigning Munster champions Limerick. The backdoor beckons, which could serve Tipperary well as they attempt to creep back into contention under the radar.

5. GALWAY (down 1)

After last year's implosion, Galway got things back on track with a decent league campaign. After surviving a scare against Laois in their championship opener, Anthony Cunningham's charges now face Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final. The teams have met twice this year already with the Cats taking the spoils on both occasions, and the Tribesmen will need to improve greatly if they are to make it third time lucky.

6. LIMERICK (up 1)

The concession of two late goals in drawing with Offaly means Limerick face another year outside the Allianz League top-flight. The subsequent controversy surrounding Donal O'Grady's departure as coach didn't distract them as bounced back to record a terrific 2-18 to 2-16 win over Tipperary in the Munster semi-final which set up an opportunity to reclaim their provincial crown against Cork in a repeat of last year's fixture. The Treaty County will fancy their chances.

7. DUBLIN (down 1)

As reigning Leinster champions, Dublin now have their sights set on All-Ireland glory. Despite landing themselves in a relegation play-off before securing their Division 1A status, Anthony Daly will take great confidence from the victories they recorded over Clare and Kilkenny. After a five-point win over Wexford, the Dubs now await the winners of Kilkenny and Galway in the Leinster final. Expect them to mount another serious challenge this year.

8. WATERFORD (no change)

Derek McGrath's first year in charge has been one to forget in many ways. After suffering relegation from the top-flight, Waterford raised their game to force a replay with Cork in their Munster championship opener. The Deise have some fine young hurlers who will be expected to enhance their growing reputations in the qualifiers.

9. WEXFORD (no change)

Liam Dunne has continued his progress with the Model men, securing them as a top half Division 1B team. A spirited showing against Dublin in the Leinster championship showed positive signs for the future of Wexford hurling but for now they still remain a step behind Dublin, Kilkenny and Galway in the Leinster peaking order.

10. LAOIS (no change)

Laois have continued their hurling revival, showing plenty of positive signs for the future. A fourth place finish in Division 1B set up a quarter-final meeting with All-Ireland champions Clare. A fabulous display by the O' Moore's saw them lose out narrowly, 2-23 to 2-19. Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett transferred this form to championship, where they mounted another great challenge to only just fall short against Galway, 1-22 to 0-23. They won't fear anyone in the qualifiers.

11. ANTRIM (up 1)

After a pointless league campaign, the Saffrons recorded their first victory with a 1-18 to 1-14 win over Offaly in their second successive Division 1B relegation play-off. Four wins out of four in the Leinster qualifier group stage gave Kevin Ryan's side hope, but a 5-19 to 0-21 defeat to Wexford in the Leinster quarter-final stopped them in their tracks.

12. OFFALY (down 1)

Offaly have very little to show for their year, the highlight being a 2-15 to 2-15 draw with Munster champions Limerick. After losing the relegation playoff to Antrim, the Faithfuls were forced to overcome Kerry to avoid demotion to the third tier. A championship opening fixture against Kilkenny loomed ominously and the result broke records for all the wrong reasons with Brian Whelahan's men slumping to a 26-point defeat.

13. CARLOW (no change)
John Meyler's charges had little difficulty in qualifying for the Division 2A final but fell to Kerry in the decider for the second time this year. The Barrowsiders' focus then moved to the Leinster qualifier group stage but defeats to Laois, Antrim and a draw with London meant they failed to progress.

14. KERRY (no change)

An unblemished Division 2A league campaign saw the Kingdom take the honours. An unlucky defeat to Offaly ended their promotion hopes and, despite coasting through to the Christy Ring Cup final, they lost out in the decider for the second year in succession to Kildare.

15. DERRY (up 3)

Ger Rogan's charges had a surprisingly good Division 2A campaign, the highlight of which was the 12-point victory over Westmeath in Mullingar. Their Christy Ring Cup campaign came to an end at the quarter-final stages at the hands of Kildare, 2-16 to 0-10.

16. WESTMEATH (up 2)

A very disappointing Division 2A league was backed up with a Leinster championship campaign which saw Brian Hanley's men only manage one win. There is a beacon of hope for Westmeath, however, after they secured their Liam McCarthy Cup status for next year with a win over Christy Ring Cup winners Kildare. A win over Dublin in next Wednesday's Leinster U21HC semi-final would do wonders for Westmeath hurling.

17. LONDON (down 2)

London managed to hold onto their Division 2A status but with no wins in the Leinster championship qualifiers group the Exiles had little to cheer about this year.

18. KILDARE (up 2)

The Lilywhites surrendered their Division 2A status after securing just one point yet, in a remarkable turnaround, went on to win the Christy Ring Cup with a fantastic triumph over a fancied Kerry side.

19. WICKLOW (no change)

The Garden County defied the odds to secure a quick return to Division 2A after defeating Down in the Division 2B decider. Wicklow brought eventual winners Kildare to a replay in the early stages of the Christy Ring Cup before falling to Mayo in the quarter-final.

20. DOWN (down 4)

Down lost out to Wicklow in the Division 2B league final after winning all five of their divisional games. The defending Christy Ring Cup champions didn't enjoy a good championship campaign, however, and had to beat Armagh in the relegation play-off to preserve their championship status for next season.

21. MEATH (no change)

Meath once again fell short in their efforts to escape Division 2B of the league and a comprehensive 1-18 to 0-13 defeat to Kildare in the semi-final of the Christy Ring Cup brought their season to a close.

22. MAYO (no change)

The Westerners were the fourth-placed team in Division 2B and lost out to Kerry in the semi-final of the Christy Ring Cup. There is work needed but the Mayo men will take solace in their championship victory over promotion winners Wicklow.

23. ARMAGH (up 1)

2014 brought little cheer for Armagh. They surrendered their Christy Ring Cup status but managed to stay in Division 2B of the Allianz League thanks to a playoff victory over Fingal.

24. FINGAL (down 1)

Fingal, after winning promotion from Division 3A last year, have been sent back where they came from. Their fall from grace was compounded by a narrow loss to Tyrone in the Nicky Rackard Cup final, who played their league campaign two levels below the North Dublin outfit.

25. TYRONE (up 4)

Tyrone won promotion from Division 3B, beating Leitrim in the final, and rounded off a terrific year when they landed the Nicky Rackard Cup with a one-point win over Fingal.

26. DONEGAL (down 1)

The Tir Chonaill men followed up their Division 3A league final win over Roscommon with an emphatic 2-16 to 0-8 triumph over Fingal to gain promotion. Overall, a successful year, despite failing to reach the heights of last year's Nicky Rackard Cup success.

27. ROSCOMMON (down 1)

The Rossies topped the Division 3A league table but failed to make the ascent after losing to Donegal in the decider. Their Nicky Rackard Cup campaign ended in disappointment.

28. MONAGHAN (no change)

The Farney won two games in Division 3A, including a four-point win over table toppers Roscommon. But they were unable to make any impact in the Rackard Cup.

29. FERMANAGH (down 2)

A mid-table Division 3A league finish was swiftly followed by a good Lory Meagher Cup run which saw them fall at the final hurdle to Longford, 3-18 to 3-16.

30. LONGFORD (up 2)

The blow of relegation from Division 3B was softened by the Lory Meagher triumph over Fermanagh.

31. LOUTH (down 1)

The Wee County avoided demotion from Division 3A before failing to make an impression in the Nicky Rackard Cup.

32. LEITRIM (down 1)

The Connacht side have come on since last year and were unlucky to miss out on promotion from Division 3B of the Allianz League.

33. WARWICKSHIRE (no change)

Warwickshire endured a disappointing Division 3B campaign which yielded just one victory. Their defence of the Meagher Cup was equally disappointing.

34. SLIGO (no change)

The Allianz League tables don't lie and things went from bad to worse when Sligo were relegated from the Nicky Rackard Cup to the Lory Meagher Cup for next season. Tweet

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