Will Castlepollard be able to hold onto their senior crown and who will fare best in the intermediate grade? Here, we assess the prospects of each hurling club. Senior Brownstown: The record title holders have been struggling badly for the best part of a decade now and seemed certain to be relegated until they produced their best performance of 2003 against St. Oliver Plunkett's. However, that doesn't hide the fact that they were the only team not to record a victory in the group stages. Johnny Leonard's charges have made a habit out of defying the odds and there weren't many who gave them a chance of beating Plunkett's. They'll do well to avoid the relegation play-off again this year, but as Plunkett's found out last year, they are capable of rising to any challenge if they're senior status is at stake. Castlepollard: Relegation candidates after defeats to St. Oliver Plunkett's and Clonkill, 'Pollard staged an amazing recovery thereafter to finish the season as county champions. It was a remarkable triumph even by 'Pollard standards and one that brought great satisfaction in what was the club's centenary year. While they will be among the main contenders for championship silverware again this year, concern has been expressed at the lack of young talent currently at John Davis' disposal. The 'Pollard team contains some great warriors, but the question has to be asked: how much longer can they go on for? Castletown-Geoghegan: As expected, they topped the weaker of the two championship groups last year before succumbing to Clonkill by three points in the semi-final. For a team that had come within a whisker of lifting the Examiner Cup in 2002, it would be fair to say that expectations weren't met. Despite last year's disappointment, Castletown have a lot to be upbeat about after a year in which they tasted championship success at junior, minor and under 12 level. They also captured the All-County League Division 1 title and along with Clonkill, have enjoyed more underage success than anyone else in recent years. Hard to see them not being serious challengers this year and in years to come. Clonkill: Had one hand on the Examiner Cup last year before Castlepollard scored a late goal to snatch it from their grasp. Until then, Clonkill had looked the most likely winners, although Sean Loughlin's dismissal meant that they were on the backfoot before Darren McCormack struck for his injury-time winner. The question now is how will they respond to that traumatic loss? Will we see a more determined Clonkill in 2004, or could it be that they won't have recovered from last year's disappointment. Having ended last year as Feis Cup and under 21 winners, they won't be lacking in confidence and with so much young talent at his disposal, team manager Pat O'Toole will be more than hopeful of making amends for last year's county final heartbreak. Delvin: After years of frustration and failure, Delvin finally got the luck they were due last season why they swept to intermediate championship glory. They stunned favourites Cullion with a brilliant display in the championship decider and for good measure, also captured the All-County League Division 2 crown. Back in the senior ranks for the first time since the 1970s, Delvin could find the step-up difficult at first, but over the seven games, they should accumulate enough points to stay up. If they can survive this year, they could be a senior club for many years to come and may even challenge for the big prize. Lough Lene Gaels: Could the effects of wear and tear be finally taking its toll on the Collinstown men? Last year was only the second time in eight years that they failed to reach the county final with old rivals Castlepollard ending their interests at the semi-final stage. 'Pollard also proved their masters in the group stages. While they may have a lot of mileage on the clock, the Gaels still have an amount of quality at their disposal and they are certainties to reach the knock-out stages. But whether or not they'll be able to match more youthful sides such as Clonkill and Castletown-Geoghegan remains to be seen. Raharney: After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2002, the Deelsiders showed a marked improvement last year, drawing with Castletown-Geoghegan and hammering Brownstown. However, their season was overshadowed by the county board's controversial decision to eject them from the championship for refusing to play their quarter-final against Clonkill on the appointed date. Raharney have produced a number of talented underage teams in recent years and with star forward John Shaw available to them once again after spending last summer in the US, they should reach the knock-out stages. However, they still have a long way to go before they can consider themselves serious championship contenders. Ringtown: Back in the senior ranks last year, Ringtown recorded wins over Raharney and Brownstown to qualify for the quarter-final. However, that's where their interests were ended by a rampant Castlepollard team. The Whitehall-based outfit are not lacking in ambition, as reflected in their state-of-the-art playing facilities. They have a nice sprinkling of young players and under the guidance of Noel Boyce, could make life difficult for some of the bigger sides in the year ahead. Intermediate Crookedwood: After coming tantalizingly close to winning the intermediate championship in 2002, the 'Wood suffered a major dip in form last year and failed to reach the semi-finals. They will have a point to prove in the coming season and with plenty of young talent coming through the ranks, they won't be far off the pace. Cullion: Looked set for a return to the senior ranks until they came unstuck against Delvin in last year's final. On paper, they are one of the top two sides in the intermediate championship, but they could find it difficult to motivate themselves, especially after appearing in a senior final just three seasons ago. Lough Lene Gaels: For the second time in three years, they reached the semi-finals last year. Similar to Mullingar Shamrocks, Athlone and St. Loman's in football, their progress will depend on the number of players available to them. St. Brigid's: Disappointing campaign last year, but at least there was the consolation of championship successes at minor and under 12 level. While not lacking in young talent, it would be a major surprise if the Dalystown men should figure at the business-end of the championship. Southern Gaels: 2003 was a typical year for the Athlone outfit who reached the semi-final where they faltered against Delvin. Despite experiencing something of an underage revival at present, doubts persist about their ability to cut it when the pressure is really on. Turin: Semi-finalists in 2002, Turin had the ignominy of being the only team not to record a win in last year's championship. On the plus side, they won the Intermediate Cup and under 21 'B' championship and also joined forces with Lough Lene Gaels to win the under 16 'premier' championship. Hard to imagine them being as poor in the intermediate championship this year. St. Oliver Plunkett's: Despite beating eventual champions Castlepollard in their opening game last year, the Mullingar side were eventually relegated back to the intermediate ranks. The general opinion is that Plunkett's are too good to be an intermediate side, but will they be able to prove it in the coming season? Predictions Senior: Likely to be a four-horse race once again between Castlepollard, Clonkill, Lough Lene Gaels and Casletown-Geoghegan. Watch out also for Ringtown and Raharney. Intermediate: St. Oliver Plunkett's are favourites, closely followed by Cullion. Southern Gaels, Lough Lene Gaels and Crookedwood will also expect to have a say. Tweet

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