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Much of a muchness innit? Easy to make excuses for who won't win it; Kerry have lost several players, Daragh O'Se may never reach the heights again and Donaghy will suffer difficult second season (and third, fourth and fifth as well). Tyrone will be solid but won't have a PTG to direct the forward play, Dooher works hard but hasn't the quality while Mugsy is very hit and mostly miss from now on. Hard to see Armagh doing anything, where are the players going to come from? They had to use an over-the-hill McGeeney to shore up midfield at times last year. Dublin still lack a couple of scoring forwards but home advantage, momentum and hunger may carry them a long way. Mayo's year could depend a lot on the result in Pearse stadium; defeat could induce doubts while victory will set them up nicely for a 1/4 tilt. Still need a few new players in defence and attack.

As for the rest, Galway will have an improved defence this year, a very middling midfield and a labouring attack. Ja's presence will improve things but not even he could carry a forward line if it includes Nicky, Matt Clancy and Cormac Bane. Paul Clancy will be a big loss again but PJ will probably return at some stage. A win at home over Mayo won't suffice for the year though. Laois are never going to be any better than they are; Cork lack a lot of players but have a good spine. Donegal may be the dark horses to keep an eye on.

Ultimately it looks like Dublin and Tyrone have the fewest answers to find IMHO.

Sad to hear of it. Connacht football has lost another icon. Hopefully his memory can inspire a badly needed revival in the fortunes of the Rossies. Was there a story that his pub took fire one night and he battled the flames to save the 1944 match ball?

I told you here before, physically Michael Donnellan had it all. Catching, pace, scoring (off either foot), game reading, passing (foot / hand), blocking etc. Be hard to beat all of that.

Jeez, compares him to Purcell, Hanahoe and Giles. Why not Ja Fallon - light years ahead of Giles as a player.

In Galway hurling, apart from the obvious, Kerrill Wade should be nearer to the big breakthrough this year while I have a feeling that we'll see more of Keith Kilkenny, (Ollie's son), and minor keeper James Skehill.

In football, St. James, Renmore have a couple of promising young bucks, Eoin Concannon and ? Conroy - if they don't get burned out through overuse (and other things).

Doorbells that don't make a sound when pressed - does it work or not?
Films that don't show credits (or at least a cast list) at the end.
Continuity announcers who speak over closing credits or credits that are cut short at the end of a film or program.
Nissan Micras.
Opel Corsas.
Fiat puntos, pandas, sequentos etc.
Slow drivers
Slow drivers who drive near the middle of the road, usually with their rear fog lights on also.
Bad or slow service in restaurants or shops
Matt Cooper's voice - totally unsuited for radio
Most radio DJs
Most Galway Bay FM newscasters - must they sound like transition year students?
Sloppy or lazy journalism

There, that's better!

Real sickener for Corofin alright. Agree with GBB, for all the streams of great (technical) players Corofin produce, they can never seem to unearth naturally scoring forwards - the vintage Trevor Burke's presence is testament to that. Dunno why Alan O'Donovan didn't start (unless there was a row or something), he may have been in lean form but he's still their best chance of a few scores. Anyway, any team that only scores 3 points in a match scarcely deserve to win, this will fairly knock the wind out of their sails for a while. Ulster final should be a good 'un, with the winners being the team to beat, with Dr. Crokes second, IMHO. The hurling is Ballyhale's if they want it.

1988 final was on again last night on TG4. Jeez, Cooney was some player - he could have been a surgeon or a concert pianist such was the artistry of his hands! And that wasn't even close to his best game.

PJ would get my vote though in fairness the competition since '95 in particular would be quite fierce with Sean Og, Mannion, Ja, Donnellan, Kevin Walsh (seriously underrated midfielder), Deccie Meehan, even Niall Finnegan in with a shout. Prior to '95 it would have to be Val.

In hurling, pick anyone from, (in rough order) Joeen, Mike Coleman, Ollie Canning, Kevin Broderick, Eugene Cloonan.

The man that announced his retirement from inter-county football at the weekend was surely, physically, the most consumately gifted player of his era. Had pace, fielding ability, was adept off either foot, had good vision, was a great reader of the game etc. Galway may not ever see his likes again.