DERRY
2012 was…a mass disappointment. If 2011 was about progression, in the shape of contesting an Ulster final, then 2012 was about regression. Donegal beat them convincingly in Ulster and then their first qualifier foray ended in misery in Longford.
Their heart-warming moment…The championship yielded no joy so we have to journey back further to the league. There were some good days for Derry with wins over Meath and Monaghan but in general the league was in keeping with the theme of wretched form in 2012.
Their gut-wrenching moment…There was no shame in losing to Donegal considering what status Jim McGuinness’s side enjoyed by the end of the season but the exit against Longford was difficult to absorb as they conceded the last four points of the game to lose 0-17 to 2-8.
They discovered that…they face a considerable challenge to move back up the pecking order. New boss Brian McIver must tackle the issues after replacing John Brennan.
Turning to 2013…McIver has got to work quickly preparing for next year and has assembled a highly-rated back room that features Paddy Crozier and Paddy Tally. But the draw has been cruel as they face Down in the Ulster quarter-final with a meeting against Donegal or Tyrone awaiting the Oak Leaf county if they prevail.
DONEGAL
2012 was…magnificent. How can you quibble with a season where Donegal became All-Ireland champions for only the second time in the county’s history and completed a remarkable metamorphosis as they rose from the ashes of a qualifier meltdown in 2010 to claim September glory in 2012.
Their heart-warming moment…Plenty to choose from like Paul Durcan’s vital save against Tyrone, Frank McGlynn’s emphatic finish to the net against Down and Karl Lacey adding the insurance point against Kerry. But it has to simply be the moment on September 23rd when the spoils were secured and Michael Murphy got his hands on Sam Maguire.
Their gut-wrenching moment…It seems churlish to be picking holes in an All-Ireland winning season. But perhaps the chastening experience of an 11-point league loss to Kerry was a low. And yet by the end of the year they had significantly avenged that defeat in the championship.
They discovered that…by tweaking their system that was heavily criticized in 2011, they could add a greater attacking weapon to their arsenal. Donegal chalked up healthy scoring totals, averaging 13.75 points in each of their seven championship games and banging in eight goals on route.
Turning to 2013…Now that they are the kings, they are there to be shot at. How Donegal manage the defence of their title will be fascinating. They will seek to possess similar levels of hunger, cope with opponents coming to terms with combating their style of play and hope their leader Jim McGuinness can combine his new unique role with Celtic.
DOWN
2012 was…Inconsistent. The league days ranged from the great when they defeated Dublin to the awful when they were thrashed by Cork. The championship days ranged from the joy of pipping Monaghan to reach an Ulster final to the despair of limping out of the All-Ireland series against Mayo.
Their heart-warming moment…Hauling themselves off the floor to win against Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final after trailing by 0-11 to 0-2 at one juncture. Down ultimately enjoyed a rousing 1-14 to 1-13 triumph and were dreaming of a first provincial senior title since 1994.
Their gut-wrenching moment…A toss up between the Ulster final against Donegal as they went from a point down at the break to suffering an 11-point defeat or the All-Ireland quarter-final humbling by 12 points at the hands of Mayo.
They discovered that…they must start improving their defending. The year was littered with the concession of hefty totals – 4-11 and 2-17 against Cork in two separate league games, 2-18 against Donegal in Ulster and 3-18 against Mayo in the All-Ireland series. Building from the back must become their mantra.
Turning to 2013…James McCartan remains as general with an interesting change in adjutant after Aidan O’Rourke stepped down and DCU’s Sigerson Cup winning coach Niall Moyna stepped into the breach. They’ll begin with Division 1 football and then an Ulster quarter-final with Derry beckons.
A dejected Paul Flynn of Dublin after their All-Ireland semi-final loss. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
DUBLIN
2012 was…a comedown. That was naturally the case as a year after claiming the Holy Grail, Dublin fell short in their efforts to reclaim Sam Maguire. On the surface they had a decent year in winning Leinster and reaching the All-Ireland semi-final but they never scaled the performance heights they had achieved in 2011.
Their heart-warming moment…The Leinster final success over Meath. Their seventh title in eight years confirmed their eastern dominance and featured a scintillating show of attacking from Bernard Brogan. Regarding the future, the All-Ireland U21 and minor wins this year were important signals.
Their gut-wrenching moment…Losing their status as All-Ireland title holders with a semi-final loss to Mayo. Dublin were hurt by being outplayed in the third quarter and were left to rue David Clarke’s smart block from a Bernard Brogan snap shot as well. Soon after the loss came the confirmation that the prodigious Ciaran Kilkenny was bound for Australia.
They discovered that…defending an All-Ireland title successfully is exceptionally difficult. With Dublin this year there appeared to be a hangover from last year’s heroics as they never hit full speed. Another point of note was that Michael Darragh MacAuley must be employed in his best position at midfield.
Turning to 2013…With Pat Gilroy gone, Jim Gavin has been ushered into the hotseat. He has scope to experiment in the league with injuries ruling out some big names. Ballymun’s club run will delay the chance to have a look at Dean Rush with Jack Caffrey and Cormac Costello other precocious youngster to watch out for next year.
FERMANAGH
2012 was…a letdown. The campaign had begun in such a positive fashion as they reached the Division 4 final and developed the knack of winning tight games. But the championship saw them falter in Ulster at the first hurdle against Down and the opening qualifier round was a graveyard as they lost out to Cavan.
Their heart-warming moment…Securing Division 3 football next year. Silverware may have eluded them in the Division 4 decider against Wicklow but Peter Canavan had already produced a significant feat in steering Fermanagh towards promotion.
Their gut-wrenching moment…That qualifier loss to Cavan. It was a game they would have felt they were capable of winning, particularly on home soil. Kicking 15 points was a good step towards realizing that aim but leaking three goals proved a killer.
They discovered that…Daniel Kille can be their attacking talisman. His accuracy from placed balls was showcased as he kicked 0-9 in Fermanagh’s final championship game. The 2011 All-Ireland IFC club medal winner with Lisnaskea Emmett’s is a fine prospect.
Turning to 2013…Division 3 football should help to bring them on as it will provide greater tests and the Ulster draw is kind as they avoid big guns. But they still have plenty scope for improvement and in year two of his tenure, Canavan needs to keep changing the attitude and mindset in the county.
*Tomorrow – 2012 Reflections: Gaelic Football Part 3 – We look at the fortunes of Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois and Leitrim.*
