In pictures: John Bruton's funeral
The State funeral of former taoiseach John Bruton took place at St Peter and Paul’s Church, Dunboyne, Co Meath,on February 10th, 2024.
County-by-county guide: All-Ireland football championship
All 32 teams in the hunt for Sam Maguire this summer
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Manager: Jim Gavin (4th year)
Titles: Leinster 53 (holders); All-Ireland 25 (holders)
2016 league: 100 per cent record in Division One, beating Kerry in the final
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 6/5 and Leinster 1/16
Bookies say: Leinster and All-Ireland champions
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster and All-Ireland champions
2015 championship: Leinster and All-Ireland champions
Next up: v Laois/Wicklow, Nowlan Park, 4th June 4th Have swept through the league although not every performance has beenbut were not always imperious. Panel strength has been is impressive but there’s are still still nagging concerns about how the loss of Rory O’Carroll and Jack McCaffreywill impactcome summer. If the defence can be shored up, the abundance of talent up front can do the rest.
Key player: In Jack McCaffrey’s absence the burden falls on James McCarthy to provide counter-attacking pace. An excellent league has also broadened his repertoire to include man-marking on the likes of Michael Murphy.
Manager: Denis Connerton (1st year)
Titles: Leinster 1 (1968); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won four to finish fourth in Division Three.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 1000/1 and Leinster 500/1
Bookies say: Leinster first round and qualifier round two
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster quarter-final and qualifier round two
2015 championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Dublin 0-10 to 4-25, and qualifier found three to Kildare, 0-11 to 2-24
Next up: v Offaly, O’Connor Park, May 15th Last year’s annihilation by Dublin prompted hysteria on the scale of Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds but with a young side the league campaign ended on a high in the big finale to relegate neighboursneighbours Westmeath. Defensive shortcomings were the focus last year but the at times ponderous attacking movement and conversion rate up front need to improve.
Key player: Goalkeeper Paddy Collum mightn’t have been able to do much about the Dublin stampede but his shot stopping won last year’s championship game against Offaly and kept them in Division Three.
Manager: Colin Kelly (2nd year)
Titles: Leinster 8 (1957); 3 All-Ireland (1957)
2016 league: Lost just one match, promoted from Division Four
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 1000/1 and Leinster 500/1
Bookies say: Leinster quarter-final and qualifier round one.
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster first round and qualifiers round one
2015 championship: Lost Leinster first round to Westmeath, 0-16 to 3-14, and qualifier round two to Tipperary, 0-7 to 3-21.
Next up: v Carlow, Portlaoise, May 14th Colin Kelly persuaded former Derry and Donegal manager Paddy Crozier to get involved last autumn with a view to implementing a defensive structure and this year – albeit after a Division Four campaign – Louth had the second meanest defence in the whole league. The immediate promotion has been good for moralein a team building phase after a number of retirements.
Key player: Formerly an out-and-out attacker, Derek Maguire’s performances as sweeper have been impressive and he still manages to get forward for scores.
Manager: Mick O’Dowd (4th year)
Titles: Leinster 21 (2010); All-Ireland 7 (1999)
2016 league: Lost three matches to finish fifth in Division Two.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 100/1 and Leinster 16/1
Bookies say: Leinster semi-final and qualifier round three
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster final and qualifier round four
2015 championship: Lost Leinster semi-final to Westmeath 2-18 to 3-19 and qualifier round two to Tyrone 0-11 to 1-10
Next up: v Louth/Carlow, Parnell Park/Páirc Tailteann, 12th June 12th Winning the O’Byrne Cup was a good start to the year but the league proved frustrating and relegation was still a possibility on the last daynarrowly avoided. Injuries continue to dog the team although the return of Cillian O’Sullivan after two years wrecked by injury out is a boost. Should be clearly Dublin’s main challengers in Leinster but lacking consistency and confidence.
Key player: Donal Keogan was made captain last year because he’s the outstanding player. An intelligent defender who can mark bothopponents and spacehe brings leadership and quality to the team.
Manager: Tom Cribbin (2nd year)
Titles: Leinster 1 (2004); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Just two wins in Division Three and relegated.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 500/1 and Leinster 66/1
Bookies say: Leinster semi-final and qualifier R2
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster semi-final and qualifier R2
2015 championship: Lost Leinster final to Dublin 0-6 to 2-13 and qualifier R4 to Fermanagh, 0-7 to 1-13
Next up: v Longford/Offaly, Mullingar, June 12th Westmeath’s waking nightmare continued in the league with a full house of relegations from Divisions One to Four, unable in the last match against Longford to produce the result that would have saved them. Resources stretched with best players needed all around the field, like Kieran Martin –who drove last year’s epic championship win over Meath – at half back and corner forward.
Key player: John Heslin is another who has to be moved around but full forward – where he inspired UCD’s Sigerson win – is the most menacing position for his ball winning and finishing abilities.
Manager: Turlough O’Brien (2nd year)
Titles: Leinster 1 (1944); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won three to finish fifth in Division Four
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 2000/1 and Leinster 2000/1
Bookies say: Leinster first round and qualifier round one
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster first round and qualifier round one
2015 championship: Lost Leinster first round to Laois, 0-8 to 3-16, and lost qualifier first round to Longford, 1-8 to 2-15.
Next up: v Louth, Portlaoise, May 14th Another humdrum season in the bottom division but there were a couple of decent wins away in Aughrim and Carrick-on-Shannon and the panel has been stronger than last year with Paul Broderick and Brendan Murphy available again. Defence has regressed, conceding 10 goals in this campaign compared to three last year. Championship opponents Louth also gave them a big beating.
Key player: Brendan Murphy’s
Manager: Pat Flanagan (2nd year)
Titles: Leinster 10 (1997); All-Ireland 3 (1982)
2016 league: Won four and came third in Division Three
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 1000/1 and Leinster 400/1
Bookies say: Leinster quarter-final and qualifier R2
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster quarter-final and qualifier R2
2015 championship: Lost Leinster first round to Longford 0-13 to 0-16 and qualifier R2 to Next up: v Longford, O’Connor Park, May 15th
Pat Flanagan has had another solid year to date. Having secured promotion and the divisional title last year, Offaly consolidated their place in Division Three this season and missed promotion only on scoring difference. The now apparently perennial championship match with Longford Key player: Eoin Carroll trialled for Tadhg Kennelly’s AFL combine in 2012
Manager: Cian O’Neill (1st year)
Titles: Leinster 12 (2000); All-Ireland 4 (1928)
2016 league: Lost just once to finish top of Division Three.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 50/1 and Leinster 14/1
Bookies say: Leinster finalists and qualifier round four
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster semi-finalists and qualifier round three
2015 championship: Lost Leinster semi-final to Dublin 0-14 to 5-18, and lost to Kerry in All-Ireland quarter-final 0-10 to 7-16.
Next up: v Wexford, Croke Park, May 29th Cian O’Neill’s arrival has steadied the ship after successive relegations with a competent recovery and promotion straight back to Division Two, as one of the top scoring teams in the league. Championship rehabilitation will be more challenging after Croke Park trimmings by Dublin and Kerry last year comprehensively scuffed the gloss off a memorable win over Cork in the qualifiers.
Key player: New cCaptain Eoin Doyle missed most of the league through injury but is a vital cog in the defence where his aggression and ability to read the game has been an inspiration.
Manager: Michael Lillis (1st year)
Titles: Leinster 6 (2003); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Lost five matches to finish eighth in Division Two and relegated.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 500/1 and Leinster 66/1
Bookies say: Leinster quarter-final and qualifier R2
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster quarter-final and qualifier R2
2015 championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final replay to Kildare 1-11 to 3-18 (0-16/0-16) champions and lost to Antrim in the qualifiers round one 1-16 to 2-15.
Next up: v Wicklow, Portlaoise, 14th May Nightmare debut season for Mick Lillis with Laois tumbling to Division Three for the first time in 14 years. A decent front eight with AFL graduates, Brendan Quigley and Conor Meredith, and John O’Loughlin and the seasoned Ross Munnelly but long running problems at the back haven’t been resolved as the worst defensive record in the entire league indicates.
Key player: Evan O’Carroll has been an outstanding underage forward with the county and has earned plaudits for his maturity in stepping up to senior. Excellent free taking and huge potential in the attack.
Manager: David Power (2nd year)
Titles: Leinster 10 (1945); All-Ireland 5 (1918)
2016 league: Won five matches to finish 3rd in Division Four.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 1000/1 and Leinster 200/1
Bookies say: Leinster quarter-final qualifier R1
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster quarter-final qualifier R1
2015 championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Westmeath, 0-15 to 1-21 and lost qualifier R2 to Derry 0-10 to 1-16.
Next up: v Kildare, Croke Park, May 29th Desperately disappointing for Wexford not to bounce back up after last year’s relegation to the bottom division. Having to travel to both promotion rivals Antrim and Louth undid them with narrow defeats. They did finish the season as the top scorers nationally with 10-104 and with the league’s best scoring difference. Tough draw against Kildare.
Key player: Daithi Waters has posted many big displays at centrefield for Wexford in recent years – earning an international call-up in 2013 – and returned from a year’s sabbatical with the hurlers.
Manager: Jonny Magee (2nd year)
Titles: Leinster 0; All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won three matches to finish fifth in Division Four
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 2000/1 and Leinster 1000/1
Bookies say: Leinster first round and qualifier R1
Bookies said in 2015: Leinster quarter-final and qualifier R1
2015 championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final 3-12 to 2-19 to Meath and lost qualifier R1 to Armagh 2-7 to 2-17.
Next up: v Laois, Portlaoise, May 14th Wicklow improved in this year’s league – a little. Considering the deluge of retirements from the panel even small progress will have come as a positive for Jonny Magee whose team beat the three counties below them in the Division Four table. Have to travel to Portlaoise but last year they gave a feisty account of themselves against Meath in Navan.
Key player: In a largely inexperienced team and with the retirement of fellow centrefield powerhouse Jim Stafford, the presence of Kiltegan’s Rory Finn, is vital and injury to the captain is believed to have cost points in the league.
Manager: Stephen Rochford (1st season)
Titles: Connacht 47 (holders); All-Ireland 3 (1951)
2015 league: Won three and finished fifth Division One
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 11/2; Connacht 8/13
Bookies say: Connacht champions, All-Ireland finalists
Bookies said in 2015: Connacht champions, All-Ireland semi-finalists
2015 championship: Connacht champions and lost All-Ireland semi-final replay to Dublin 1-14 to 3-15 (1-15 to 2-12)
Next: v London, Ruislip, May 29th Despite injuries and other unavailability, new manager Stephen Rochford achieved the admittedly low bar of avoiding relegation. Evan Regan carried the scoring burden well in Cillian O’Connor’s absence but so far few signs of the transformative recruitment needed to drive things on. A top championship team in recent years but are they evolving at the necessary rate to become the top team.
Key player: Injury ruled out defensive linchpin Keith Higgins for virtually the entire league, more importantly delaying plans to deploy him in the forwards where his pace and intelligence led to a couple of high-profile cameos in 2013.
Joint-managers: Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell (1st season)
Titles: Connacht 21 (2010); All-Ireland 2 (1944)
2016 league: Four wins, third in Division One and beaten semi-finalists
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 33/1; Connacht 3/1
Bookies say: Connacht final and All-Ireland quarter-final
Bookies said in 2015: Connacht final and qualifier R4
2015 championship: Lost Connacht semi-final to Sligo 0-13 to 1-14 and qualifier R3 to Fermanagh 0-16 to 1-14.
Next: v Leitrim, Carrick-on-Shannon, May 22nd May Almost a dream season for Roscommonin Division One. Their fluid, skilful game took them to the semi-finals but along the way they lost to each of the current provincial champions. A clear run to the Connacht final is mapped but it was last year as well. Problems remain in strikingMust strike the balance between physicality and mobility. Will target All-Ireland All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Key player: Diarmuid Murtagh has had an immense impact on the been a brilliant under-21s in the past couple of years has also been well able to score at senior level. Eplayer and is expected to bloom into an outstanding intercounty forward.
Manager: Shane Ward (2nd year)
Titles: Connacht 2 (1994); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won two matches and finished seventh in Division Four.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 2000/1 and Connacht 200/1
Bookies say: Connacht quarter-finalists and qualifier R1
Bookies said in 2015: Connacht quarter-finalists and qualifier R1
2015 championship: Lost Connacht quarter-final 0-8 to 1-13 to Galway, and to Louth in qualifier R1 0-11 to 1-16
Next up: v Roscommon, Carrick-on-Shannon, May 22nd Amidst classic signs of decline after a spring of two wins and a series of narrow defeats - average 2.5 points a match- concluded with a second-from-bottom placing in the league basement – Leitrim’s confidence is understandably fragile. Emlyn Mulligan’s return after sabbatical is a plus but as it stands they’re in development mode and and helping to define the easier side of the draw forlikely to face a rising Roscommon.
Key player: Emlyn Mulligan has yet to hit top form on his return but is always closely marked so targeted at this stage he can hardly monow. Accurate frees and attacking vision still crucial to the team.
Manager: Kevin Walsh (2nd year)
Titles: Connacht 44 (2008); All-Ireland 9 (2001)
2016 league: Won just two matches to finish third in Division Two
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 40/1 and Connacht 5/1
Bookies say: Connacht semi-final and qualifier R4
Bookies said in 2015: Connacht semi-final and All-Ireland quarter-final
2015 championship: Lost Connacht semi-final to Mayo 2-8 to 1-15, and qualifier R4 to Donegal, 0-11 to 3-12
Next up: v London/Mayo, Castlebar, June 18th May The sorrowful mysteries. After a decade and a half of exceptional achievementDespite huge success at underage and also club levels the county hasn’t won Connacht for eight yearsand has slipped to third favourites in the province. Signs of stagnation in the league, which leaves them still becalmed in Division Two. For all the emergent talent the team at times lacks leadership and composure.
Key player: Shane Walsh exploded into the 2014 championship like a supernova but had an intermittent second season overshadowed by a fatal car crash. His quality as a forward is undoubted and his renewed application made him the county’s main player in the league.
Manager: Niall Carew (2nd year)
Titles: Connacht 3 (2007); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won three games to finish fifth Division Three.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 500/1 and Connacht 25/1
Bookies say: Connacht semi-final and qualifier R2
Bookies said in 2015: Connacht semi-final and qualifier R2
2015 championship: Lost Connacht final 2-11 to 6-25 to Mayo and qualifier R4 to Tyrone 0-14 to 0-21
Next up: Roscommon/Leitrim, Hyde Park/Carrick-on-Shannon, June 12th Even with high-profile absences they survived in Division Three. An indicator of their ability was the win in Newbridge, Kildare’s only defeat, but overall the team’s defence has been shaky – one of only five to concede double digit goals in the whole league – and they’ll be up against a Roscommon team bristling from last year’s ambush.
Key player: With David Kelly opting out this year it was important to get the prolific scorer Adrian Marren back from long-term injury.
Manager: Ciarán Deely (1st season)
Titles: Connacht 0; All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won just once and finished eighth Division Four.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 2000/1; Connacht 500/1
Bookies say: Connacht quarter-final, qualifier R1
Bookies said in 2015: Connacht quarter-final, qualifier R1
2015 championship: Lost Connacht quarter-final 0-10 to 1-14 to Roscommon and qualifier R1 to Cavan 0-11 to 2-22
Next up: v Mayo, Ruislip, 29th May Following on from the management behind 2013’s historic Connacht final appearance, Ciarán Deely is on a hiding to nothing as manager. But although propping up the league, the team was actually quite competitive and apart from a big defeat by Wexford, none of the matches had more than two scores in them and one win was clocked up, against Waterford.
Key player: Liam Gavaghan is one of a new generation of native players whose displays in the All-Ireland club championship for Tír Chonaill Gaels confirm his industry and ability in the centrefield/half forward area.
Manager: Eamonn Fitzmaurice (4th year)
Titles: Munster 74 (holders); All-Ireland 37 (2014)
2016 league: Won five matches for second place in Division One, beaten by Dublin in final
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 3/1 and Munster 2/5
Bookies say: Munster champions and All-Ireland semi-finalists
Bookies said in 2015: Munster champions and All-Ireland finalists
2015 championship: Munster champions and lost All-Ireland final to Dublin 0-9 to 0-12.
Next up: v Limerick/Clare, Fitzgerald Stadium, June 12th An unusual shift of emphasis for the Munster champions in going for the league. The spring was notable for the form of veterans Colm Cooper and Kieran Donaghy but also the impact off the bench of the likes of Brendan O’Sullivan. With James O’Donoghue and Anthony Maher coming back and the motivation of last year’s poor All-Ireland display to spur them, they could be formidable.
Key player: David Moran’s championship last year tailed off disappointingly but his league displays have been positive. As the All-Ireland season in 2014 indicated his best centrefield form is an indispensable influence on the team.
Manager: Liam Kearns (1st year)
Titles: Munster 9 (1935); All-Ireland 4 (1920)
2016 league: Won two matches for sixth place in Division Three.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 500/1 and Munster 33/1
Bookies say: Munster semi-final and qualifiers R2
Bookies said in 2015: Munster semi-final and qualifiers R3
2015 championship: Lost Munster semi-final to Kerry 2-8 to 2-14, and qualifier R3 to Tyrone, 0-7 to 0-19
Next up: v Waterford, Dungarvan, May 29th The loss of players to disparate destinations from the county hurlers to the AFL has slowed momentum at senior level despite Clonmel’s Munster club title coming hard on the heels of the under-21s’ All-Ireland final in the past 12 months. On the positive side, only Derry scored more goals in the entire league; on the negative, they flirted with relegation back to Division Four.
Key player: Michael Quinlivan played a central role in Clonmel’s great club run, his archetypal full forward play complemented by deft finishing, nurtured in his soccer-playing days.
Manager: Tom McGlinchey (2nd year)
Titles: Munster 1 (1898); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won two matches for sixth place in Division Four
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 2000/1 and Munster 500/1
Bookies say: Munster quarter-final and qualifiers R1
Bookies said in 2015: Munster quarter-final and qualifiers R1
2015 championship: Lost Munster quarter-final to Tipperary 0-5 to 1-24, and qualifier R1 to Offaly, 1-7 to 1-20
Next up: v Tipperary, Dungarvan, May 29th A final weekend win over Leitrim pushed Waterford into sixth place after an apparently familiar campaign but beneath the surface three one-point defeats, including by promoted Louth, and one two-point loss suggested a more competitive season even in the absence of a disgruntled Stradbally contingent - currently the subject of diplomatic moves. Age profile advancing and dual talent like Conor Prunty concentrating on hurling.
Key player: Patrick Hurney was Waterford’s Footballer of the Year last season and scored
Manager: John Brudair (3rd year)
Titles: Munster 1 (1896); All-Irelands 2 (1887 and ‘96)
2016 league: Gained only one point and relegated from Division Three.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 1500/1 and Munster 500/1
Bookies say: Munster quarter-final and qualifier R1
Bookies said in 2015: Munster quarter-final and qualifier R1
2015 championship: Lost Munster quarter-final to Tipperary 0-13 to 0-15 and qualifier R1 to Sligo, 0-8 to 0-14.
Next up: v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, May 29th Morale has slipped after a league that started very competitively but ended in the second worst return of any county – just one point and inevitably relegation. Lively centrefielder Gearóid Hegarty decamped to the hurlers in March and there have been other defections, particularly in attack. On a more positive note, recent challenge form has been encouraging with wins over Tipperary and Cork.
Key player: Ian Ryan has struggled with injury in recent times but his importance as a freetaker and attacking hub are still obvious. Desperately needed to be fit and in form for Clare match.
Manager: Colm Collins (3rd season)
Titles: Munster 2 (1992); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won four matches to come second in Division Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 500/1 and Munster 50/1
Bookies say: Munster semi-final qualifier R2
Bookies said in 2015: Munster semi-final and second-round qualifiers
2015 championship: Lost Munster semi-final to Cork 1-8 to 1-20 and qualifier R2 to Longford, 1-12 to 2-12
Next up: v Limerick, Gaelic Grounds, Key player: Gary Brennan – hugely impressive for Ireland last November – is the driving force at centrefield
Manager: Peadar Healy (1st year)
Titles: Munster 37 (2012); 2016 league: Finished seventh in Division One on scoring difference and relegated
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 16/1 and Munster 2/1
Bookies say: Munster finalists and All-Ireland quarter-finalists
Bookies said in 2015: Munster finalists and All-Ireland quarter-finalists
2015 championship: Lost Munster final replay 1-6 to 1-11 (3-12/2-15), and Kildare in qualifiers R4 1-13 to 1-21
Next up: v Waterford/Tipperary, June 12th Key player: Under-21 captain Stephen Cronin
Joint-managers: Frank Fitzsimons (2nd season) and Gearóid Adams (1st season)
Titles: Ulster 10 (1951); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Unbeaten to finish top of Division Four, promoted but lost to Louth in final
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 1000/1; Ulster 150/1.
Bookies say: Ulster preliminary round and qualifier R2.
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster quarter-final, qualifier R2
2015 championship: Lost Ulster quarter-final to Fermanagh 0-8 to 0-13 and qualifier R2 to Fermanagh, 0-11 to 1-21
First outing: v Fermanagh, Brewster Park, May 15th Antrim finally broke free from the basement division and with a good record, unbeaten in regulation matches and boasting the most parsimonious defence in the whole competition. A number of the players missing last year have returned and there is real momentum in the team after the league final. Against that, opponents Fermanagh have also improved after a season in Division Two.
Key player: Former All Star nominee Michael McCann wass one of the players missing last year and he has brought physical presence as well as a scoring option to the half forwards.
Manager: Kieran McGeeney (2nd season)
Titles: Ulster 14 (2008); All-Ireland 1 (2002)
2016 league: Won twice to end up seventh in Division Two and relegated.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 125/1; Ulster 18/1
Bookies say: Ulster quarter-final and qualifier R3.
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster quarter-final and All-Ireland quarter-final
2015 championship: Lost Ulster quarter-final replay to Donegal 0-8 to 2-11 and qualifier R2 to Galway, 0-12 to 1-12.
First outing: v Cavan, Kingspan Breffni Park, May 29th Unfortunate to take the drop, as the chickens of a poor start came home to roost despite a strong finish to the campaign – they were unbeaten in the three matches after the Cavan mauling. Armagh are struggling all the same and the concerns of Kieran McGeeney will be to stabilise the defence before renewing what has become an abrasive rivalry with Cavan.
Key player: Stefan Campbell has been Armagh’s most prolific forward this campaign and his scores were vital in a number of matches. Has shown great awareness up front as well as natural shooting ability.
Manager: Terry Hyland 4th (season)
Titles: Ulster 38 (1997); All-Ireland 5 (1952)
2016 league: Won five to come second in Division Two, promoted and lost to Tyrone in final.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 66/1; Ulster 7/1.
Bookies say: Ulster semi-final and qualifier R4.
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster quarter-final and qualifier R3
2015 championship: Lost Ulster quarter-final to Monaghan 0-15 to 0-16 and qualifier R2 to Roscommon, 1-16 to 3-17.
First outing: v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni Park, May 29th Promotion and a Croke Park final came at the end of a campaign that turned at half-time in Navan when seven points down to Meath. Since then not just fortune but a whole style of play has changed with former ultra-blanket emphasis changing into a more physical and utterly prolific attack – second top scorers in the league while maintaining a top-six defence.
Key player: Gearóid McKiernan has been one of the relocated big men in attack. Playing at centre forward, he has the strength to break tackles and the football ability to exploit space.
Manager: Damien Barton (1st season)
Titles: Ulster 7 (1998); All-Ireland 1 (1993)
2016 league: Won just twice to finish sixth in Division Three.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 66/1; Ulster 7/1
Bookies say: Ulster quarter-final and qualifier round four
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster quarter-final and qualifier round four
2015 championship: Lost Ulster semi-final to Donegal 0-10 to 1-9 and qualifier R3 to Galway, 0-8 to 1-11
First outing: v Tyrone, Celtic Park, May 22nd Incongruously for a side nearly relegated Derry were the league’s top goal scorers. In orthodox one-on-one football they have the talent to get scores but have been leaky as colanders at the back and lack the relentlessness for counter-attack in modern engagements, such as the imminent challenge of Tyrone. Player departures from the panel haven’t helped the mood either.
Key player: Enda Lynn missed the entire league after breaking his ankle against Tyrone in the McKenna Cup final when he was Derry’s best player. His return is vital as his elusive running is badly needed for the championship encounter.
Manager: Eamonn Burns (1st season)
Titles: Ulster 12 (1994); All-Ireland 5 (1994)
2016 league: Lost all Division 1 matches and were relegated
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 500/1; Ulster 20/1
Bookies say: Ulster quarter-final, qualifier round three.
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster semi-final, qualifier round three
2015 championship: Lost Ulster quarter-final to Derry 0-11 to 0-12 and qualifier round one to Kildare 2-11 to 2-16
Next up: v Monaghan, Clones, June 5th Down have been sliding into territory unbefitting their traditions with players declining to commit and new manager Eamonn Burns trying to find his feet. No surprise then that it went badly even if the best performance was the last and they were relegated as the only county in the league with zero points.
Key player: Donal O’Hare has been carrying the scoring burden in the absence of so many forwards, with the county’s only two goals in the league and free taking duties.
Manager: Rory Gallagher (2nd season)
Titles: Ulster 8 (2014); All-Ireland 2 (2012)
2016 league: Lost last four matches but came fourth in Division One and beaten semi-finalists
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 20/1; Ulster 9/4
Bookies say: Ulster champions and All-Ireland quarter-finalists
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster final and All-Ireland semi-finals
2015 championship: Lost Ulster final to Monaghan, 0-10 to 0-11, and All-Ireland quarter-final to Mayo, 0-11 to 2-13
First outing: v Fermanagh/Antrim, venue tbc, June 12th
Key player:
Manager: Pete McGrath (3rd season)
Titles: Ulster 0; All-Ireland 0
2015 league: Lost three to finish a respectable fourth in Division Two
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 500/1; Ulster 33/1
Bookies say: Ulster quarter-final, qualifiers round three
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster semi-final, qualifiers round two.
2015 championship: Lost Ulster semi-final to Antrim, 0-13 to 1-20, and All-Ireland quarter-final to Dublin, 2-15 to 2-23
Next: v Antrim, Brewster Park, May 15th A very encouraging season in Division Two saw Fermanagh survive courtesy of a dogged draw against Tyrone on the last day but the team’s overall competitiveness – six points and a virtually neutral scoring difference and a good defensive record – deserved as much. Peter McGrath has also given a chance to some new talent and they will view a third successive championship meeting against Antrim with confidence.
Key player: Tomás Corrigan is, as he showed last year, a clever corner forward whose free taking – and capacity to earn them – is reliable and who also poses a threat from play as he showed against Dublin.
Manager: Mickey Harte (14th season)
Titles: Ulster 14 (2008); All-Ireland 1 (2002)
2016 league: Unbeaten to top Division Two, promoted, beat Cavan in the decider
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 10/1; Ulster 9/4.
Bookies say: Ulster finalists and All-Ireland semi-finalists.
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster preliminary round and qualifier round four
2015 championship: Lost Ulster preliminary round to Donegal, 1-10 to 1-13, and All-Ireland semi-final to Kerry, 1-11 to 0-18
First outing: v Derry, Celtic Park, May 22nd Was the league finale the product of early promotion or some other malaise? This really should be Tyrone’s year in Ulster. The team is gathering momentum and the supply of fast, adaptable players has really picked up with the recent under-21s. Although the forwards are talented they aren’t yet clinical but in August at Croke Park they have the potential to cause problems for anyone.
Key player: Ronan O’Neill has sometimes looked like he was going to be another Tyrone forward condemned to eternal promise but that’s about to change. Gifted as a kicker and orchestrator, he can become a fixture this summer.
Manager: Malachy O’Rourke (4th season)
Titles: Ulster 16 (holders); All-Ireland 0
2016 league: Won three games to finish sixth in Division One.
Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 40/1; Ulster 4/1
Bookies say: Ulster semi-finalist and All-Ireland quarter-finalists
Bookies said in 2015: Ulster champions and All-Ireland quarter-final
2015 championship: Ulster champions and lost All-Ireland quarter-final to Tyrone by 0-14 to 0-18
Next: v Down, Clones, June 5th The under-21 Ulster title came as a great lift for the county, especially as there is a need to refresh the senior panel. They battled hard to stay in Division One and in that they succeeded but the conundrum remains that, although they defend relentlessly, the scoring threat posed is too restricted to balance the books in the really big championship matches but yet the team remains competitive.
Key player: The dependence on left-corner forward Conor McManus is getting worse, not better. His almost preternatural ability to take on double- and treble-teaming backs and still get away accurate kicks continues to be astonishing.
Mon May 09 2016 - 22:40
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