Since our last hurling rankings on the eve of last year's All-Ireland final, Clare have jumped to the top of the pile. But how have the rest been faring?

1. CLARE (no change)

Rarely have things been so good for the Banner who are the reigning All-Ireland senior and U21 champions and look like they are only going to get better. Despite Davy Fitzgerald's claims that they are well behind where they were this time last year in terms of fitness and preparation, they were the first Division 1A team to qualify for league quarter-finals - an ominous sign for the rest.

2. KILKENNY (up 3)

Following a very disappointing 2013 by their high standards, the Cats have looked more like their old selves this year. They finished runners-up to Clare in Division 1A, hammering Waterford by 20 points in the last round. Brian Cody has spent the spring experimenting and has unearthed some new talent to go with the returning Henry Shefflin. Even at this early stage of the season, they look to be Clare's biggest threat.

3. CORK (down 1)

While they still appear to be suffering a hangover from last year's All-Ireland final defeat and struggled in a number of their games in Division 1B, Jimmy Barry-Murphy's side have achieved what they set out to achieve by regaining their top-flight status for 2015. They have a lot of work to do to get back to the level they were at last summer, and will be hoping the involvement of dual stars Aidan Walsh and Eoin Cadogan will help them to rediscover that old spark in time for the championship.

4. GALWAY (up 4)

Having seen their stock plummet last year, Galway are showing signs of recovery. Young guns Cathal Mannion and Padraig Breheny have impressed in the absence of the All-Ireland club winning Portumna contingent. Now in his third year as manager, Anthony Cunningham knows success is a must after last year's implosion.

5. TIPPERARY (up 2)

The jury is still out on Eamon O'Shea's side, despite their progress to the Allianz League quarter-finals. Victory over Dublin in the last round saw them scrape through on score difference after the threat of relegation had hung over them beforehand. Tipp have a major point to prove after a very poor 2013, but clearly have a lot of ground to make up on the top teams.

6. DUBLIN (down 3)

The Dubs have set the bar high for themselves after claiming a first Leinster title in 52 years last year and coming within a whisker of reaching the All-Ireland final. After a disastrous start to the league against Galway, they recorded excellent wins over Clare and Kilkenny, and are unlucky to find themselves in the Division 1 relegation playoff. They'll be there or thereabouts again this year.

7. LIMERICK (down 3)

The concession of two late goals in drawing with Offaly means Limerick face another year outside the Allianz League top-flight. They did, however, have the consolation of qualifying for a quarter-final against Galway, and that game should give us a better idea of where the Munster champions and their new management duo of TJ Ryan and Donal O'Grady are currently at.

8. WATERFORD (down 2)

After a promising start to the league, the Deise have suffered crushing losses to Clare and Kilkenny in their last two outings. The manner of these defeats must be a big worry for new manager Derek McGrath with the championship fast approaching. Despite having already beaten Dublin in Walsh Park this year, they'll go into Sunday's Division 1A relegation playoff as favourites to make the drop.

9. WEXFORD (no change)

The Model men were the third best team in Division 1B after Cork and Limerick, and will play host to Kilkenny in Sunday's Allianz League quarter-final. Liam Dunne is in the job for the long haul and will be encouraged by the progress made over the past 12 months or so.

10. LAOIS (up 1)

Laois' revival continues apace under Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett, with a mouth-watering Allianz League quarter-final against All-Ireland champions Clare to come on Sunday. They beat Offaly and Antrim in the first two rounds of Division 1B, and gave Cork, Wexford and Limerick plenty to think about in their other games. With their minors also reaching the Leinster final last year, the O'Moore's are on the rise again, and that can only be good for hurling.

11. OFFALY (down 1)

The Faithfuls swap places with their midland rivals after a disappointing Division 1B campaign which has left them facing a tricky relegation playoff against Antrim in Ballycastle this weekend. New manager Brian Whelahan has blooded a few new players this season, but it's difficult to see Offaly making an impact in the championship, especially with Kilkenny waiting in the first round.

12. ANTRIM (no change)

The Saffrons are preparing for their second successive Division 1B relegation playoff after a win-less campaign to date. Kevin Ryan has introduced a number of last year's U21 team that reached the All-Ireland final and will be targeting qualification from the new round-robin series of the Leinster SHC in the coming weeks.

13. CARLOW (no change)

Even without their Mount Leinster Rangers contingent, John Meyler's charges had little difficulty in qualifying for the Allianz League Division 2A final and will be favourites to win it against Kerry. Like Antrim, their thoughts are already turning to the Leinster SHC round-robin section.

14. KERRY (up 3)

The Kingdom have surprised many by reaching the Division 2A final. Regardless of the outcome, it will be good preparation for the impending Christy Ring Cup campaign.

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. Another team that has the Christy Ring Cup in its sights.

16. DOWN (no change)

The Ardsmen are gearing up for a Division 2B final showdown with Wicklow after winning all five of their divisional games. They would appear to be in fine fettle ahead of their Christy Ring Cup defence.

17. LONDON (down 2)

Following the difficulties they encountered in replacing last year's manager Eamon Phelan, the Exiles did well to retain their Division 2A status. They will be looking at their game against a strugglingWestmeath side in the Leinster SHC round-robin series as one they can win.

18. WESTMEATH (down 4)

All is not well in the midlands after a very disappointing Division 2A campaign. The Lake County lost three of their five games and were lucky to draw with London. Brian Hanley's reign will almost certainly come to an end after the four games in the Leinster SHC round-robin series.

19. WICKLOW (up 2)

The Garden County are on course for a quick return to Division 2A after reaching the Division 2B decider. But they'll be underdogs against an unbeaten Down outfit.

20. KILDARE (no change)

The Lilywhites surrendered their Division 2A status after securing just one point and must now pick themselves up for the Ring Cup.

21. MEATH (down 2)

After stepping down and then returning as manager, Cillian Farrell was once again frustrated in his efforts to guide the Royals out of Division 2B. Their failure to reach the divisional final, which they lost to London last year, suggests they have slipped back.

22. MAYO (no change)

The Westerners were the fourth-placed team in Division 2B and have ground to make up on the leading Ring Cup contenders.

23. FINGAL (up 4)

The North Dublin outfit won the Division 3A title last year, but found the going tough in Division 2B and will meet Armagh in a relegation playoff this weekend, with the losers facing the Division 3A winners for the right to play in Division 2B in 2015.

24. ARMAGH (down 1)

A run of five straight defeats in Division 2B makes the Orchard favourites to lose their relegation playoff against Fingal. However, they will take hope from their win over Roscommon when faced with a similar predicament last year.

25. DONEGAL (down 1)

The Tir Chonaill men will meet Roscommon in the Division 3A decider on Sunday week and will be confident of repeating last year's Nicky Rackard Cup final victory.

26. ROSCOMMON (down 1)

The Connacht outfit remain on course for an instant return to Division 2B after booking their place in the Division 3A final thanks to a comfortable victory over Longford last weekend. But they still have two hurdles to clear if they're to make the ascent.

27. FERMANAGH (up 6)

They were next best after Roscommon and Donegal in Division 3A, which bodes well for their upcoming Lory Meagher Cup campaign. A team on the up.

28. MONAGHAN (up 1)

The Farney won two games in Division 3A, which was two more than they won last year.

29. TYRONE (no change)

The 2012 Lory Meagher Cup champions are favourites to beat Leitrim in the Division 3B final after winning all three of their games to date.

30. LOUTH (down 3)

The Wee County managed just one win in Division 3A and have it all to do ahead of the start of the Nicky Rackard Cup.

31. LEITRIM (up 4)

Having had the ignominy of being bottom of our 2013 rankings, the Connacht minnows have shown a marked improvement since then to reach the Division 3B final against Tyrone.

32. LONGFORD (down 1)

Last year's Division 3B champions return to the basement division for 2015. Making amends for their 2013 Meagher Cup final loss to Warwickshire will now be the target.

33. WARWICKSHIRE (down 3)
The Lory Meagher Cup holders endured a disappointing Division 3B campaign which yielded just one victory.

34. SLIGO (down 2)

The Allianz League tables don't lie and sadly for last year's Division 3B final runners-up, that means they are bottom of the pile. Tweet

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