## 1 Introduction
The increased level of quality support provision at the elite level in terms of consistent strength and conditioning programming, nutritional support, sport science support and technology application highlight the profound gap in the preparatory practices at both levels. This could potentially result in extensive differences between levels when anthropometric and performance profiles are considered [6; 9]. The appreciation of physical and physiological performance demands is linked directly to successful performance outcomes within hurling match-play [2; 4; 5; 10]. It is paramount that coaches are aware of the performance profiles within their respective squads when preparing players for competitive match-play. The use of anthropometric and performance testing provides an assessment of these characteristics, while subsequent testing throughout the season further informs with respect to seasonal variations and adaption to training prescription [7; 11]. Specific body composition assessments such as skinfold thickness and estimations of adipose tissue (%AT) are commonly assessed within team environments and are often considered default performance-profiling markers [1; 12]. Previous literature has suggested %AT in excess of 15% can have a negative performance contribution [13]. Increased adiposity can potentially compromise the efficiency of certain sport-specific movements such as accelerations, sprints, jumps and prolonged running where the repeated acceleration of body mass is opposed by gravity [1, 11]. Reported adiposity levels of the elite hurlers have decreased in recent years from 18.4% [14] to 12.7% [10]. The decrease in adiposity is reflective of the increased professionalization of support teams and the application of preparatory practices similar to professional elite team sports. Explosive power is considered a pivotal performance characteristic within field-based team sports [15]. Contested aerial duals are frequent in hurling match-play, with the attainment of primary possession of paramount importance [2, 10]. Previous literature indicated the mean vertical jump performance of hurlers (56.6 cm) was less than Gaelic footballers (62.2 cm) and Soccer players (59.7 cm) [16]. The countermovement jump (CMJ) profiles of the elite hurlers were reported as 47.2 \(\pm\) 5.1 cm with a positional trend observed from half-forwards (50.8 cm) to full-backs (45.2 cm) [10]. Furthermore, it has been suggested that success within team sport performance is influenced by aerobic and anaerobic profiles of players [17, 18]. The Yo-Yo IRT1 correlates with high-speed running performance and is also reflective of changes in fitness levels [19, 20]. Position-specific running profiles have been quantified at the elite level with half-backs (TD: 8516 \(\pm\) 801 m; HSR: 1086 \(\pm\) 385 m), midfielders (TD: 8679 \(\pm\) 669 m; HSR: 954 \(\pm\) 191 m) and half-forwards (TD: 8217 \(\pm\) 609 m; HSR: 954 \(\pm\) 185 m) reporting significantly greater running performance demands compared to full-back and full-forwards [2]. An understanding of the HSR capacity of the sub-elite players extrapolated from Yo-Yo IRT1 scores can aid practitioners with the transitioning of players from the sub-elite to the elite level. While normative data has been provided at the elite level, there is a distinct lack of comparative benchmark data at the sub-elite level. Furthermore, elite teams often implement an \"open panel\" mantra with regard to player selection, meaning players can transition from the sub-elite to the elite level at any time during the season. Normative data defining the differences in performance profiles across levels is of benefit to coaches to optimize player preparation when transitioning between levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the differences in anthropometric and performance characteristics between elite and sub-elite hurlers with respect to position and level of play.