Paul Fennessy
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League
Manchester City for the Premier League — Manuel Pellegrini’s side, when on form, are easily the best team in the league. If they can sort out their dodgy away record, they should be good enough to win the Premier League comfortably.
As for the Champions League, Bayern Munich’s 3-1 away win over Manchester City is the best European performance I’ve seen from any team this year, so on that less-than-scientific basis, I’m tipping them to prevail in May.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
Sticking with my original prediction of Leinster, Munster and Ulster to reach the knockout stages at least, and Toulon or Clermont to triumph.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
Tiger Woods: 2013 saw an improvement in his fortunes if not quite a return to vintage-era Woods. At 38, he’s not getting any younger, and so, this year may represent one of his few remaining chances to win a major.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
No. As good as the side were against the All Blacks, the team is still very much a work in progress under Joe Schmidt and they’ve pulled off big results in the recent past only to slip up shortly thereafter.
What’s equally important as winning is integrating as many inexperienced players as possible into the side and ensuring Ireland have a squad — rather than just a team — capable of making an impact at next year’s Rugby World Cup.
How do you see the World Cup going?
There are probably only five teams who are capable of winning it — Italy, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Germany.
As they have home advantage and they looked very solid in (the admittedly somewhat unreliable indicator of) the Confederations Cup, I’m going with Brazil.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC
I’ve a feeling there might be a sense of deja vu by the end of the year — in addition to their current exceptional group of players, both Dublin (in football) and Clare (in hurling) have a seemingly limitless supply of impressive youngsters coming through the ranks, so they’ll likely be the teams to beat once again.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
Both the World Cup in Brazil and the conclusion to the Premier League — I can’t remember the last time either were so open in terms of the number of genuine candidates capable of triumphing.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
The almost inevitable additional revelations about sports stars doping. As many have pointed out already, it’s fanciful to believe cycling is the only sport in which the practice of using performance-enhancing drugs is common. It’s merely more competent than most at rooting out the cheats.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
David Meyler – if he can stay injury free, he has a chance of breaking into the Ireland side. The Hull midfielder is a great athlete and rarely gives the ball away, and thus, he could turn out to be a useful asset for MONKeano to have at their disposal.
Niall Kelly
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
I reckon Man City‘s bizillions of petrodollars will be a decisive factor in what is shaping up to be a very exciting title race. This could be Real Madrid’s year in Europe too.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
“The big three” should all make it to the quarter-finals at least. I wouldn’t have said this three months ago but seeing how Leinster have gelled under Matt O’Connor, they could well be the ones to go furthest.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
It’s hardly a left-field shout but one of these years, Jason Day is going to win a Major and when it happens, I’ll have him backed.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
Nope. Next question…
How do you see the World Cup going?
There are plenty of legitimate concerns about Brazil’s ability to host the tournament but once the football gets started, it’s gonna be one hell of a party. I’ll go out on a limb here and say that hipsters’ choice Belgium won’t be as good as everyone thinks. And a South American side to win it…
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC
We’ve seen how hard it is for counties to retain the football title but the novelty of 2011 isn’t a factor this time around and Dublin have the personnel, both on and off the pitch, to go very close again. Is it going too far to suggest that the double is a possibility? (Yes, I’m from Dublin)
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
Everything. It’s another new year with countless possibilities when it comes to sport. If we get half as much entertainment and enjoyment as we did this year, it will be another beaut.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
The cynicism and the cheating.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
It would be great to see Robbie Henshaw and Luke Marshall continue to break through and establish themselves as Ireland’s next great midfield partnership. D’Arcy and O’Driscoll can’t go on forever, you know.
Fintan O’Toole
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
Man City to win the Premier League as they have the strongest squad and the best array of attacking riches. Bayern Munich to do back-to-back titles in the Champions League.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
Leinster, Ulster and Munster to get over the line in January and reach the April knockout stages. Hard to see Connacht emerging from their pool. Leinster the best Irish bet to go further than the quarter-finals.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
Adam Scott to build on a 2013 where he finally broke his Major duck at the US Masters. With the pressure of that tag gone, he can start to thrive.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
It would be a great swansong for BOD but hard to see a happy ending in this case.
How do you see the World Cup going?
Argentina to win and Messi to be top scorer, the group pairings are very favourable for the latter outcome. Looking forward to the action in Group B where Spain, Netherlands and Chile will battle it out, in Group D to see if England can emerge and if Belgium can live up to the hype.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC
Dublin have the personnel on and off the pitch to retain their football title. The hurling is more difficult to read but there may be a responsive kick in Kilkenny.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
Seeing whether hurling’s 2014 offering can reach the heights of 2013 and as disappointing as it is that Ireland didn’t qualify, the World Cup remains something to relish.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
The introduction of the black card in Gaelic football. There’s potential for chaos early on as players, managers, referees and supporters get to grips with it.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
Roy Maurice Keane. Being back at the frontline of Irish football guarantees engaging storylines.
Steven O’Rourke
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
Manchester City will sort out their away form and romp home in the Premier League. It’s the worst season I can remember but, then again, I’m a United fan and now enduring the torment I put Liverpool fans through for years. Bayern Munich will become the first side to win back-to-back Champions League trophies. They’re the best side in Europe by a long way and if anyone else steals it from them, it will be a travesty.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
Leinster, Munster, and Ulster should all make it safely through to the quarter-finals though it’s difficult to see any team other than Ulster making it beyond that stage.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
In the ballsiest move ever made by a member of TheScore.ie, I’m going to say world number one Tiger Woods. This is the year he comes back into real contention at Majors and will possibly win two, starting with the Masters.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
Anything is possible, blah, blah, blah but no, I doubt it. We’re in for one of those dreaded periods of rebuilding, I think.
How do you see the World Cup going?
A bit like South Africa, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of hand-wringing in the build up to it from the UK press about stadia being behind schedule etc, but I think it’ll be fine. My money’s on Uruguay, with a side bet on Eamon Dunphy calling Messi a ‘bottler’ when Argentina crash out.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC.
Difficult to see Dublin not retaining their crown in the football but the hurling waters and much muddier so I’ll take the easy way out and just say Kilkenny. If Niall Kelly says Dublin for the double though, I think now’s a good place to remind everyone, again, he tipped Kildare to win the football this year.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
Manchester United getting that second half of the season bounce that was a staple of David Moyes’ tenure at Goodison. I’m also looking forward to the Raiders drafting a legitimate franchise quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
Dublin winning the All-Ireland football title again.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
Seamus Coleman. He’s just too good for Everton, and if he’s not playing Champions League football next year, it will be a great shame.
Sean Farrell
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
Manchester City are awesome, but I just can’t help but feel their patchy form will come back. It definitely won’t be Arsenal. I still believe in Jose, so I’m going for Chelsea to steal it on the final day.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
Ulster are duking it out with Leicester for top place in their pool, but are hell-bent on bringing a Heineken Cup fixture to the new Ravenhill in April. Don’t think they’ll be partying like it’s 1999 exactly, but hey, funny things can happen at the Millennium Stadium.
I’m gonna say two will reach the semi-final. Tough to see Leinster or Munster winning a home quarter-final from here, but if they manage to avoid a trip to Toulon or Clermont, then they’d fancy their chances against anyone.
Hopefully Connacht can get a bit of a bonus run in the Amlin too, that’d be sweet.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
Rory. The kid had a strong finish to an awful year and hopefully he can pick up where he left off in January.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
It looks like our best chance since the last time we installed a new coach, but I’ll need to see the display for the New Zealand game backed up before I’m convinced that we can win against the Six Nations champions and four sides we couldn’t beat last year.
One thing I’m certain of: If Joe Schmidt is to succeed, he must improve the way Ireland play and attack in the second half of games.
How do you see the World Cup going?
Is ‘epicly’ a word?
It’s a feast of football in Brazil, what’s not to love? Well, yes, the suffocating commercialisation of it all, but it’ll be on in the middle of the night, so it won’t be all that easy to run out and buy a heap of McDonalds at half-time.
I’ve always loved watching Portugal in major tournaments, but I still think they’ll struggle with teams locking down their one big weapon. Luis Suarez is definitely going to do something to upset England, such as scoring a (dastardly) goal.
If things get tight and the games wear on without a breakthrough, Brazil will suffer, but I think/hope they draw enough positive energy from the crowd to win games with early goals.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC
Kilkenny will be back to reclaim the hurling title. When it comes down to it, I don’t think Dublin will win back-to-back, but hard to see beyond them at this stage.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
Right now? The Six Nations. Also, the Winter Olympics because it’s such a brilliant spectacle and gives us all reason to learn the rules to a new sport.
I can’t be getting excited about anything more than six weeks away.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
The pressure that will be heaped on whoever Joe Schmidt hands the number 13 jersey to in June and November. Big shoes.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
Yeah, I’ll go with Luke Marshall too. He’ll turn 23 in March and he’s only getting better with each passing week. Joe Schmidt may prefer to go with Gordon D’Arcy to play it safe, but Marshall’s Fofana-esque ability to pick a try-scoring line will make him difficult to leave out.
Patrick McCarry
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
Manchester City will canter to the title if they can sort out their away form and get Sergio Aguero back ASAP. Arsenal and Chelsea to scrap it out behind them and Liverpool v Man Utd for the last spot. As for the Champions League, Bayern Munich to make it two-in-a-row.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
Believe I said back at the start of the competition that three from four would qualify and that Leinster and Ulster would both make the semi-finals. Nothing I have seen thus far will change my mind on that although my ‘Harlequins for last four’ prediction may be wide of the mark. Toulon still favourites in my book.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
I’m assuming Niall Kelly has picked Jason Day so I will go for Henrik Stenson. The Swede went from 209th in the world last year to a comfy spot in the top three. His swing, when on form, is fluid. I expect at least one Major from him next year. His game is well suited to a tilt at the Augusta title.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
No. They have away games against an excellent, settled England team and have to go to the Stade de France too. They are far too inconsistent to predict they will win five games in seven weeks. I think they could finish in the top two and claim an away win but I’ll go for England here.
How do you see the World Cup going?
It should be an amazing spectacle in some great settings. Brazil and Argentina will fancy their chances, with Uruguay and Chile eyeing up quarter-final spots at least. Spain are the best suited of the European teams to cause a stir with Germany not far behind. Billo’s last World Cup and the lads will be grumpy at the odd broadcast hours and being stuck out in Donnybrook while the football world parties. Gary Lineker will top up the tan to a deep mahogany shade.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC.
Although no-one would have predicted such a rough year for Donegal in 2013, I confidently predict that Dublin will wear the crown better. Jim Gavin has assembled a great squad of young players and they will be gunning for even more success. Mayo looked a class above all year, until the final, and will go deep again in 2013. Kilkenny are probably training for next summer as I type and will go into 2014 with a point to prove. Clare are similar to Dublin, in that they have a great, young squad, but I’ll go for the Cats.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
Although I have not predicted Ireland to win, I’m most looking forward to the Six Nations. O’Driscoll’s final tournament with Ireland, and Joe Schmidt will have more time to impose his playing style on the team. If Gilroy, Zebo and Henderson are all fit and firing, too, we will have a very promising group of players. My Ryder Cup excitement will build as the year goes on.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
As a Manchester United supporter, I am not looking forward to the final league standings in May. David Moyes will have to spend so, so wisely in January (one decent lad will do) to energise his troops. Keep RVP and Rooney fit and they have a top four hope…
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
I’m a gigantic Craig Gilroy fan so I’m hoping he can stay fit for Ulster and Ireland in 2014 as he is a fantastic attacking talent. In golf, I’ll be keeping a close eye on Kevin Phelan
Rónán Duffy
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
I thought that Chelsea would have carved out some consistency under Mourinho by now, they have not and in all honesty The Special One looks almost disinterested at times. In that case, it’s Man City’s if they want it. As for the Champions League, I think Real Madrid.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
As ever, the draw will have a major influence on how things go and Leinster and Munster’s losses might come back to haunt them in that regard. Ulster look the most settled Irish team right now.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
Hopefully he won’t suffer from second-season syndrome in 2014, but I think Peter Uihlein is the youngster to watch over the next few years. The American showed smarts by moving to the European Tour last year and he was rewarded with a Rookie of the Year award. Already a winner on tour, I think he’s an Open Champion in waiting.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
I don’t think they’ll win in either in Paris or Twickenham, so no.
How do you see the World Cup going?
Evening matches and Brazilian setting mean it will be as big as it can be here without Ireland involved. European teams to come up short in South America with perhaps Portugal a dark European horse. Several thousand road miles too much for Spain who will change their style and look to a front man in Diego Costa before coming up short and out of ideas. Germany to destroy lesser nations but get out-thought by more disciplined teams. Brazil seem more settled than Argentina and thus are the team to beat.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC.
Dublin managed to deal with the fact that they were everyone’s favourites to win from early 2013 so I see no reason why they won’t cope with the pressure of being defending champions in 2014. In the hurling, that Cork team with a year of experience and the sting of defeat will be lethal.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
I can’t really choose, just letting the countless sports stories play out in front of you.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
Argentina not winning the World Cup and people using it as a reason why Messi isn’t the greatest ever.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
An obvious choice but 2014 is a big year for Rory McIlroy. This year was never going to live up to 2012 and throw in becoming Mr. Nike Golf and his management problems and I think it’s fair to scratch 2013 off. He is still virtually unbeatable when at his best.
Adrian Russell
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
If Manchester City can’t get over the line in this year of flux, then the Dubai lads might as well pull pegs and head home.
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
Munster, Leinster and Ulster will reach the last-eight and one wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ravenhill side — Ireland’s first European Cup winners — adding a tournament win to bookend the Heineken Cup era as we know it.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
A young lad I like to call Angel Cabrera. Personal slogan around majors week: ‘can’t fail with Angel’.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
Yeah, like Deccie, Joe Schmidt will get it done in his first year and BOD will make that final chapter all the easier for ghost writer Paul Kimmage.
How do you see the World Cup going?
England failing big time, Belgium disappointing the so-called hipster fan base and a rested Leo Messi inspiring Argentina to a famous win.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC
Dublin look way too strong from this remove to be stopped by anyone and Jim Gavin’s zen demeanour and Brian Cody’s zombie champions Kilkenny aren’t dead yet.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
Another amazing summer of hurling, complemented by a World Cup that’s built for prime-time viewing. A fitting farewell for Billo on his last tour of duty in Montrose with Dunphy, Giles and Brady.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
The Keane-O’Neill: Best of Enemies documentary on ITV4.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014.
Conor Lehane scored 2-10 as Midleton claimed the Cork SHC title recently. If the Rebels are to push on form their narrow All-Ireland final replay defeat to Clare, the likes of him need to push on again.
Paul Hosford
Who will win the Premier League/Champions League?
It’s been an open year so far, but Man City will fire post-Christmas and romp to the title. In Europe, it’s got to be Bayern Munich, doesn’t it?
Heineken Cup – how will the Irish sides get on?
Munster, Leinster and Ulster will reach the quarters. Munster may make the last 4, depending on the draw. Leinster will be about the same. Only Ulster look capable of winning it.
Golfer to watch in 2014?
Rory McIlroy. Golf is without a superstar and needs the Hollywood man to find form and reignite interest.
Will Ireland win the Six Nations?
No. That is all.
How do you see the World Cup going?
As always, it’ll be great. Despite Ireland’s absence, who doesn’t love the World Cup? I’ll be supporting Belgium, but I think Germany will win it.
Your tips for the 2014 All-Ireland SFC and SHC.
Dublin should retain Sam, while I’m tipping Cork to bounce back and claim Liam.
What are you looking forward to most about 2014?
The hurling championship, which will have to live up to an amazing 2013 and the rebuilt Yankees taking on the AL East in baseball.
What are you looking forward to least about 2014?
The rebuilt Yankees lack of pitching depth losing them the AL East.
One Irish sports star to watch closely in 2014
Ciarán Clark. He’s coming out of the “he’s just a kid” stage and has to make a role in the heart of the Villa and Ireland defence his own over the next 12 months.
