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 Hurling Championship
Team by team guide to all 14 counties competing for Liam MacCarthy in summer 2016
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Manager: Davy Fitzgerald (5th season).
Titles: Munster 6 (1998), All-Ireland 4 (2013).
2016 league: Promoted to Division 1A. Drew with Waterford in league final.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 9/1; Munster 4/1.
Bookies say: Munster semi-finalists; All-Ireland quarter-finalists.
What bookies said in 2015: Munster semi-finalists; All-Ireland semi-finalists.
2015 Championship: Lost Munster quarter-final to Limerick by 2-19 to 2-15; Lost All-Ireland qualifier phase II to Cork by 0-20 to 0-17.
Next up: Munster semi-final v Waterford, June 5th. If there’s a rabbit tucked away in the championship’s hat, Clare are probably the prime contenders. That said, the kncokout stages of the league probably killed off any element of surprise they might have had. Cruciate victim Pat Donnellan will be missed but Tony Kelly and Podge Collins are back though and Aaron Cunningham is maturing nicely. More bullets to fire than most teams so can’t be counted out of the running.
Key player: Podge Collins So badly missed in his time away, Collins is the stock that brings the other ingredients together to make the sauce. At his best, he improves life for everyone around him as an out ball from the defence and a link to Tony Kelly, Conor McGrath and Shane O’Donnell.
Titles: Munster 9 (2010), All-Ireland 2 (1959).
2016 league: 2nd Division 1A; Drew with Clare in league final.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 8/1; Munster 7/2.
Bookies say : Munster runners-up; All-Ireland semi-finalists.
What bookies said in 2015: Munster semi-final defeat; Exit All-Ireland qualifier phase II.
2015 championship: Lost Munster final to Tipperary by 0-21 to 0-16; Lost All-Ireland semi-final to Kilkenny by 1-21 to 0-18.
Next up: Munster semi-final v Clare, June 5th. Being a team on the up is the easy part. The danger now for Waterford is that they plateau off, which will surely be their fate if they can’t add goals to the mix. Will stay in most games because they make other teams play on their terms but need to find a transition route from their deep-lying defence to the full-forward line. Derek McGrath has had a plan for everything so far so it will be fascinating to see what he comes up with.
Key Player: Austin Gleeson. A bellwether for the team. Strong, brave and skilful, could be close to becoming a complete player when he looks to build attacks rather than end them from 80 metres out. Still inclined to go for everything, regardless of distance, regardless of angle.
Manager: Michael Ryan (1st season).
Titles: Munster 41 (2015),All-Ireland 26 (2010).
2016 league: 4th Division 1A; Lost quarter-final to Clare.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 4/1; Munster 9/4.
Bookies say: Munster champions; All-Ireland runners-up.
What bookies said in 2015: Munster champions and All-Ireland runners-up.
2015 championship: Beat Waterford by 0-21 to 0-16 in Munster final; Lost All-Ireland semi-final to Galway by 0-26 to 3-16.
Next up: Munster quarter-final v Cork, May 22nd. It’s 50 years since a team has won an All-Ireland starting with a Munster quarter-final win against anyone other than Kerry. Tipp have to go through Cork, then Limerick, either Clare or Waterford just to make an All-Ireland semi-final. As ever, we can be fairly sure they have the players. As ever, we can’t quite say the same about the mentality or the gameplan. Should be thereabouts come the end but it will be a slog. Are they up for a slog?
Key Player: Séamus Callanan. Size, speed and touch can make him devastating if fed reasonable ball. The league quarter-final nightmare against Clare shone a light on what happens to Tipp if he has an off-day. That was a rarity though – the doubts of his early days have been banished.
Manager: TJ Ryan (3rd season).
Titles: Munster 19 (2013), All-Ireland 7 (1973).
2016 league: 2nd Division 1B; Lost semi-final to Waterford
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 11/1; Munster 5/1.
Bookies say: Beaten by Tipperary in Munster semi-final; exit All-Ireland quarter-final.
What bookies said in 2015: Beaten by Clare in Munster quarter-final; exit. All-Ireland quarter-final.
2015 championship: Lost Munster semi-final to Tipperary by 4-23 to 1-16; lost All-Ireland qualifier phase II to Dublin by 1-17 to 1-16.
Next up: Munster semi-final v Tipperary or Cork, June 19th. Last year promised so much and delivered so little. But like forgiving a horse one bad run, you’d be inclined to hold fire on Limerick just yet. The Na Piarsigh contingent add so much – at both ends of the pitch – and Diarmaid Byrnes could be a keeper in the half-back line. Form lines in Division 1B being what they are, we can’t know what their forwards will produce when the fire is hottest until they go and do it. Interesting outsiders.
Key Player: Shane Dowling More than anything, Limerick need a dependable, chalk-it-down scorer – someone who can be relied upon no matter the circumstances. Dowling has the ability and, with his club All-Ireland in the bag, should have the confidence now.
Manager: Kieran Kingston(1st season).
Titles: Munster 51 (2014),All-Ireland 30 (2005).
2016 league: Lost all five games in Division 1A; Beat Galway to stay in the Division
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 16/1; Munster 9/1.
Bookies say: Munster quarter-finalists; Exit All-Ireland qualifiers phase II.
What bookies said in 2015: Munster runners-up; All-Ireland semi-finals.
2015 championship: Lost Munster semi-final to Waterford by 3-19 to 1-21; Lost All-Ireland quarter final to Galway by 2-28 to 0-22.
Next up: Munster quarter-final v Tipperary, May 22nd. Amazing the difference one game can make. A dire league campaign was saved at the death by nicking a play-off win over Galway so now they face into the summer with possibilities in mind. They conceded unconscionable amounts through the spring but presumably that will be tightened up somewhat and on their day, Séamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan and Conor Lehane remain match-winners. The supporting cast is untenably thin though and it would still be astounding if they caught Tipp.
Key Player: Séamus Harnedy. Increasingly the sole Cork player you’d hang your hat on to perform in adversity, a not unimportant trait given their circumstances. Wins his own ball, fights his own corner, lifts his own team. Cork badly need a focal point – he can be it.
Manager: Ciarán Carey (1st season).
Titles: Munster 1 (1891) All-Ireland 1 (1891).
2016 league: 5th Division 1B; Beat Laois in relegation play-off.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 2,000/1; Leinster 250/1.
Bookies say: Bottom of Leinster round-robin
What bookies said in 2015: N/A
2015 championship: Didn’t qualify for the Championship proper; won Christy Ring Cup, beating Derry by 1-20 to 0-12 in the final
Next outing: Final round-robin game v Offaly, May 22nd. Playing with house money at this stage. Staying in Division 1B was the year’s signal achievement, although posting a win over Carlow in the Leinster round-robin was fine going too. They’ll never hang with the big boys but even just hanging with the mid-tier boys is a massive step forward. Round-robin runners-up get Laois – who they’ve already beaten twice – in the Leinster quarter-final. Would be some story if that happened.
Key Player: John Egan. Having been around for all the bad days, seems only right that he’s seeing garlands come his way now that Kerry are on the up. Huge experience allied to natural leadership makes Egan Kerry’s go-to forward. His accuracy from dead balls will keep Kerry in some games, how he goes in open play will have a big say in how many they win.
Manager: Brian Cody(17th season).
Titles: Leinster 70 (Holders), All-Ireland 36 (Holders)
2016 league: 1st in Division 1A; Lost league semi-final to Clare by 4-22 to 2-19
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 7/4, Leinster 4/6.
Bookies say: Leinster champions & All-Ireland champions.
What bookies said in 2015: Leinster and All-Ireland champions.
2015 championship: Beat Galway 1-25 to 2-15 in Leinster final; Beat Galway by 1-22 to 1-18 in All-Ireland final.
Next up: Leinster semi-final v Wexford or Dublin, June 11th. Of all the different teams of stripeymen that that Brian Cody has overseen, this one could be named The Faint Praise Crew. Going for three All-Irelands in a row without anyone making particularly big claims for them – in any other county back-to-back champions would be made men for life. How they come back from the Clare thumping will define the summer. Relentless, physical, devoted to first principles of blocking and hooking and working, they make winning look a straightforward task of doing the needful. No small achievement.
Key player: Colin Fennelly. Richie Hogan and TJ Reid provide the gold-dust, Fennelly the sawdust. Initially a goalscoring hitman but his reinvention as a worker-bee sums this side up. Still chips in with scores but drops deep and stitches defence and attack together too. Utterly selfless, Cody Cum Laude.
Manager: Liam Dunne (4th season).
Titles: Leinster 20 (2004), All-Ireland 6 (1996).
2016 league: 3rd Division 1B; Lost quarter-final to Waterford.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 66/1;Leinster 28/1.
Bookies say: Leinster quarter-final defeat to Dublin; Exit qualifiers Phase I.
What bookies said in 2015: Leinster semi-final defeat to Kilkenny; All-Ireland qualifiers phase I.
2015 championship: Lost Leinster semi-final to Kilkenny by 5-25 to 0-16; Lost qualifier phase I to Cork by 2-22 to 0-20.
Next up: Leinster quarter-final v Dublin, May 21st. Whether or not Liam Dunne can get the air back in the balloon remains to be seen. Three Leinster under-21 titles in a row suggests the raw materials are there but injuries disrupted the league and their only wins came against Kerry and Laois. Dublin aren’t exactly world-beaters and Dunne will be convinced they’re ripe for the ambushing. Can’t dismiss them out of hand but they need a no-miss free-taker and a lot to go right.
Key Player: Conor McDonald As long as he has his hand up on the edge of the square, Wexford have a route to goal that is lacking in plenty of their elders and betters. Could do with broadening his horizons but a live threat to all comers nonetheless.
Manager: Eamonn Kelly (1st season).
Titles: Leinster 9 (1995), All-Ireland 4 (1998).
2016 league: 4th Division 1B; Lost quarter-final to Kilkenny.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 1,000/1; Leinster 250/1.
Bookies say: Top Leinster round-robin; Beaten by Galway in Leinster semi-final; Exit qualifier Phase I.
What bookies said in 2015: Leinster semi-final defeat;Exit qualifier Phase I
2015 championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Laoisby 0-29 to 0-21; Lost qualifier phase I to Clare by 3-26 to 0-15
Next up: Final round-robin game v Kerry, May 22nd Who’s left to carry the can? The one good thing about Brian Whelehan’s tour of duty is that it won’t be held against him if he ever feels like submitting to it again. Brian Carroll held on till he could hold on no longer. Losing to Clare and Limerick in the league was understandable; losing to Kerry was not. In truth, the hiding from Westmeath was coming, not that it made it any easier to stomach. Hard to see where a chink of light might come from.
Key player: Shane Dooley While it’s hardly a good thing that he was responsible for 54 per cent of Offaly’s scores in the league, it does at least indicate a player in decent touch. Keeps his standards high, regardless of how dire the situation around him becomes.
Manager: Séamus Plunkett (4th season).
Titles: Leinster 3 (1949), All-Ireland 1 (1915).
2016 league: 6th Division 1B; Lost relegation play-off to Kerry. Beat Westmeath in promotion/relegation play-off.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 1,500/1; Leinster 150/1.
Bookies say: Beaten by Galway in Leinster semi-final; Exit All-Ireland qualifiers Phase I.
What bookies said in 2015: Top of Leinster round-robin; Beaten by Offaly in Leinster; Exit All-Ireland qualifiers Phase I.
2015 championship: Topped Leinster round-robin; Lost Leinster semi-final by 3-28 to 1-14 to Galway; Lost All-Ireland qualifier Phase I by 4-17 to 0-19 to Dublin.
Next up: Leinster quarter-final v round-robin runners-up, June 5th. Bounced hard off the ceiling and look to be in freefall now. You’d have come up with plenty of adjectives for them in Cheddar’s first three years before you arrived at meek but that’s what they looked as they tumbled out of Division 1B this spring. Hard to see the summer providing much of a fillip – certainly, you wouldn’t have a huge amount of confidence in them against whoever comes out of the round-robin group.
Key player: Cahir Healy left the footballers a few seasons back despite being arguably their best defender. Whole-hearted and committed, he was commuting from London throughout that time as well. The sort of leader they need to turn their fortunes around.
Manager: Michael Ryan(2nd season).
Titles: Leinster none, All-Ireland none.
2016 league: 2nd in Division 2A; Beat Carlow in divisional final. Lost promotion play-off to Laois.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 1,500/1; Leinster 250/1.
Bookies say: Leinster round-robin third place.
What bookies said in 2015: Leinster round-robin third place.
2015 championship: Leinster round-robin second place; Lost Leinster quarter-final to Wexford by 1-24 to 1-16; Lost qualifier phase I to Limerick by 4-15 to 1-12.
Next up: Final round-robin game v Carlow, Sunday, May 22nd. Clearly making strides under Ryan who has organised them into a tough nut to crack. Put in an extraordinary defensive performance in the league when keeping seven clean sheets in a row, including holding Carlow to 0-8 in the Division 2A final. The scorching of Offaly is a clear sign of a team on the up. Need to maintain it now.
Key Player: Aonghus Clarke Overcame knee surgery early in his career to become a central figure at the heart of Ryan’s defence and lifted the 2A trophy as team captain. Athletic, pacy and vocal, has the look of someone who will be a rock for the next decade.
Manager: Pat English (2nd season)
Titles: Leinster none, All-Ireland none
2016 league: Top of Division 2A. Lost final to Westmeath.
Odds and ends: Leinster 500/1; All-Ireland 5,000/1.
Bookies say: Third in Leinster round robin.
What bookies said in 2015: Bottom of Leinster round-robin.
2015 Championship: Third in Leinster round-robin.
Next up: Final round-robin game v Westmeath, May 22nd. Despite an early hammering at home by London, it turned out to be a reasonable league campaign for Carlow. That they rallied back to top Division 2A and just get pipped in the final was testament not only to Pat English’s fire-fighting qualities but also the regard his players hold him in. Baby steps will only take them so far though. Need to do a Kerry and t some stageand get back up to 1B.
Key Player: Marty Kavanagh. A reliable decision-maker wherever he’s needed, the St Mullian’s man roves in and out the field for Carlow. Usually starts in the forwards but drops out to midfield at times, he is an added free-taking option alongside Denis Byrne. Carlow hurler of the year in 2015.
Manager: Ger Cunningham (2nd season).
Titles: Leinster 24 (2013), All-Ireland 6 (1938).
2016 league: 3rd Division 1A. Lost league quarter-final to Limerick.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 25/1 Leinster 10/1.
Bookies say: Beaten by Kilkenny in Leinster; Exit Qualifier Phase I
What bookies said in 2015: Beaten by Galway in Leinster; Exit All-Ireland qualifier Phase II.
2015 championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final replay defeat 5-19 to 1-18 to Galway; lost All-Ireland quarter-final 2-21 to 1-19 to Waterford.
Next up: Leinster quarter-final v Wexford, May 21st For good or for ill, the championship’s known quantity. Oisín Gough and Cian O’Callaghan are sparking in defence and they may well have the sturdiest half-back line in the country. But their forwards are still prone to the odd ordinary day out, not helped by a short puck-out strategy that slows delivery into them. Eamonn Dillon is flourishing in attack, much in the same way Mark Schutte was this time last year. But Dublin need them both firing at the same time and few more besides.
Key Player: Liam Rushe. Can’t blame Cunningham for trying to make him relevant in another part of the pitch last season but that’s over now and he’s back at number six. Sets the tempo and temperature for the players around him and is always looking to affect the game.
Manager: Michael Donoghue(1st season).
Titles: Connacht 21(1999, discontinued), Leinster 1 (2012), All-Ireland 4 (1988).
2016 league: 5th Division 1A; Relegated after play-off with Cork.
Odds and ends: All-Ireland 15/2; Leinster 15/8.
Bookies say: Leinsterrunners-up; All-Ireland semi-finalists
What bookies said in 2015: Leinster runners-up; All-Ireland quarter-finalists 2015 championship: Lost Leinster final to Kilkenny by 1-25 to 2-15; lost All-Ireland final to Kilkenny by 1-22 to 1-18.
Next up: Leinster quarter-final v round-robin winner, June 5th Cork got all the bad press during the league without too many people noticing that Galway didn’t win a single game after Valentine’s Day. Even after relegation though, they’re significantly shorter odds to achieve something this year than they were this time 12 months ago – and that was going into a summer that lasted all the way to September. In other words, nobody knows what to make of them. Should make a Leinster final, for starters. After that, pot luck.
Key Player: Cathal Mannion. Joe is still the show, but only up to a point. Galway made an All-Ireland final last year and Mannion was their only All Star forward. If he can turn two-points-a-game into four, it reduces the amount of boxes Canning has to tick.
Mon May 09 2016 - 20:00
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