MONAGHAN
2012 was…disheartening. Relegation to Division 3 of the league, a one-point defeat in the Ulster semi-final and falling at their first qualifier hurdle against Laois.
Their heart-warming moment…In a year of setbacks, their comeback win in the Ulster opener against Antrim was a high point as Tommy Freeman helped inspire them to success.
Their gut-wrenching moment…That defeat in the last four in Ulster against Down. Having enjoyed a 0-11 to 0-2 lead before half-time, Monaghan were ultimately hauled back as their opponents claimed a dramatic one-point success.
They discovered that…it was time for a change on the sideline. Eamonn McEnaney stepped down with former Fermanagh boss Malachy O’Rourke handed the reins as his replacement.
Turning to 2013…Division 3 football will not provide as high a standard as Monaghan have been accustomed to in recent years. But the Ulster draw, which features an opener against Antrim, is not as fearsome as it could have been.
OFFALY
2012 was…tough. Offaly plummeted to Division 4 of the league and then suffered a pair of championship defeats, heavily against Kildare in Leinster and by five points against Tipperary in the qualifiers.
Their heart-warming moment…Given that their only competitive victory was against Cavan in the league, that success away from home was a rare highlight.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The convincing loss to Kildare in the Leinster championship. Trailing by 13 points at the final whistle encapsulated the chasm that existed between the teams.
They discovered that…it can be difficult to keep hold of a manager. Gerry Cooney and Tom Coffey were in charge for different spells during 2012 while Emmett McDonnell was appointed to the post in August.
Turning to 2013…McDonnell enters the equation on the back of good work with the St Mary’s (Edenderry) side that he lead to college honours in the Hogan Cup last April. But they must forage in Division 4 before then being forced to renew acquaintances in their opening stage of Leinster against Kildare.
ROSCOMMON
2012 was…inconsistent. The championship saw a hammering by Galway, a brilliant victory over Armagh and an emphatic loss to Tyrone. Amidst it all the county’s underage machine continued to work perfectly as they claimed Connacht minor and U21 titles while also contesting last May’s All-Ireland U21 final.
Their heart-warming moment…The success over Armagh in the first round of the qualifiers was wonderful. Roscommon trailed by five points at the break but limited Armagh to two points in the second-half to churn out a two-point win.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The hiding they suffered in their provincial opener against Galway. Roscommon entered the game full of optimism and possessed a vibrant young team. Yet they were ripped apart and lost by 14 points.
They discovered that…there is plenty talent coming through the grades. From this year’s U21 team Paddy Brogan, Niall Daly, Cathal Shine and Donal Smith are all fine prospects.
Turning to 2013…Des Newton’s reign as manager has ground to a halt with former Tipperary supremo John Evans now in charge. He will target a positive start to the year but must plan with St Brigid’s contingent due to All-Ireland club commitments.
Roscommon’s Seanie McDermott, Niall Carty, Sean Purcell and Geoffrey Claffey celebrate after their win over Armagh. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
SLIGO
2012 was…underwhelming. After an outstanding success over Galway in Connacht, their pursuit of provincial honours fell short against Mayo before they were well beaten by Kildare in the qualifiers.
Their heart-warming moment…That provincial semi-final win against Galway in Pearse Stadium. Sligo trailed by four points at the break but with Adrian Marren as their attacking figurehead, Sligo constructed a splendid win.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The Connacht final loss to Mayo. In a tight and tense game, Sligo succumbed by two points. For the second time in three years they were unable to acquire provincial silverware.
They discovered that…winning a Connacht final is difficult. Even after felling a traditional superpower, Sligo found their efforts thwarted at the last hurdle.
Turning to 2013…Kevin Walsh remains at the helm once more. And the Connacht championship draw is favorable as they are on the opposite side to Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
TIPPERARY
2012 was…rewarding. Considering they suffered relegation to Division 4, a change of management midway through the league when John Evans departed and Peter Creedon arrived, and another opening round Munster loss to Kerry, their year transpired to be a remarkable success. They picked up a steam of momentum during the qualifiers to pick up three wins on the bounce and ran Down close as they chased an All-Ireland quarter-final place.
Their heart-warming moment…Of all of their qualifier wins, the round two victory against Wexford was impressive as they displayed the grit and nerve to hold out against opponents who have displayed real quality in recent years.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The 1-16 to 0-7 loss against Sligo in March which was their fifth successive league defeat and effectively copper fastened their relegation. It also ensured they had conceded 7-46 in three games.
They discovered that…they have the capacity to challenge in the championship. Draws have been unkind in recent years to Tipperary but with the benefits of home advantage and several emerging talents, they went on a terrific run during the month of July.
Turning to 2013…Peter Creedon is staying on in a permeant management role and after the positivity of 2012, the players will be eager to build on that. The Munster draw is disastrous again though with an away tie to Kerry in the quarter-final but before that they will be seeking promotion from Division 4.
*Tomorrow – 2012 Reflections: Gaelic Football Part 6 – We look at the fortunes of Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.*
