GALWAY
2012 was…below-par. The installation of a new manager in Alan Mulholland created early positivity which helped yield a push for league promotion from Division 2 that just fell short. Then they sparkled in their destruction of Roscommon in their championship opener. But losses to Sligo and Antrim ensured the summer ended on a now familiar bad note.
Their heart-warming moment…That 15-point hammering of Roscommon in May. Galway’s attacking was mesmerising that day from the youthful impact of Paul Conroy and Mark Hehir to the heartwarming sight of Micheal Meehan coming off the bench to score after a long injury lay-off.
Their gut-wrenching moment…That qualifier reversal against Antrim in Casement Park in July. Losing out in another tight game was a bitter pill to swallow. Their horrible record since beating Louth in 2004 of no championship wins against a team from outside Connacht continues.
They discovered that…this is truly a new era for Galway football. The decision of the legendary Padraic Joyce to hang up his boots confirms that the focus now has to turn to developing youngster rather than hoping for All-Ireland heroes to resurrect former glories.
Turning to 2013…It’s still too early to judge Alan Mulholland and ultimately he requires a few years to shape this team and bring along the products of the 2011 All-Ireland U21 side. The Connacht draw is tough from the off as they are pitted against Mayo. Before that, it would be good for them to get out of Division 2.
KERRY
2012 was…a hangover from 2011. Jack O’Connor stated that explicitly after departing as boss in August. The manner of that All-Ireland final loss to Dublin was difficult to absorb and even more difficult to recover from. There were flashes of form but not enough to fashion an All-Ireland drive.
Their heart-warming moment…Their qualifier win over Tyrone in mid-July. Aside from finally overcoming the Red Hands, Kerry’s play was controlled and fluid. The whole occasion was excellent with the town of Killarney wrapped in football fever from early on in a day of glorious weather.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Donegal. Only two points seperated the teams at the final whistle but Kerry were left frustrated by the fact that they got to grips with their opponents gameplan too late in the game and could not gain parity.
They discovered that…James O’Donoghue has the capacity to establish himself in attack. The Legion player has been touted since his college days in St Brendan’s and this year he was consistently impressive as he bedded in at senior level.
Turning to 2013…There is a new man guiding the tiller but Eamonn Fitzmaurice is a familiar figure to this Kerry squad. Cian O’Neill is a big addition to their coaching setup as well. They could do with unearthing a few new players and while Dr Crokes are busy with club matters in the spring, it could be a big inter-county season for Johnny Buckley and Brian Looney.
Kerry’s Aidan O’Mahony celebrates a point with Colm Cooper in their qualifier against Tyrone. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
KILDARE
2012 was…trying. It was a year dominated by the interminable saga of Seanie Johnston’s transfer. On the pitch there was the mix of delight against Tyrone in the Division 2 league final, disappointment against Meath in Leinster, dominance against Sligo in the qualifiers and depression against Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Their heart-warming moment…Their qualifier win over Limerick in Portlaoise. It was a night that Kildare showed real grit after Emmett Bolton’s fabulous late point secured extra-time before they then pulled clear in style.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The period between the 35th and 60th minutes of their match with Cork. At half-time Kildare were in contention as they trailed by three points but were then ripped apart as they shipped ten consecutive points and fell to a heavy defeat.
They discovered that…Seanie Johnston is cleared to play football for Kildare. That fact is a relief after all the hassle the transfer created and it is a headache Kieran McGeeney will not have to contemplate next year.
Turning to 2013…The sixth year of the McGeeney era will begin with Division 1 football and that will be of assistance. The acquisition of Jason Ryan should refresh their coaching team but it is a season where they must challenge strongly for a Leinster title.
LAOIS
2012 was…progressive. Considering how lacklustre they looked at the start of the summer in losing to Longford and limping past Carlow, it was remarkable that they managed to go on a qualifier run that saw them clip the wings of Monaghan and Meath, before giving Dublin a real fright in the quarter-finals.
Their heart-warming moment…Their round four qualifier win over Meath. Laois were terrific from the start that day as they manufactured a seven-point lead and not even a late Meath comeback could ultimately wipe out that advantage.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The Leinster opening round loss to Longford saw their summer began in a bad manner but the game that will gnaw at them was the loss to Dublin as they seemed on the cusp of springing a shock during that second-half.
They discovered that…they now have the nucleus of a fine team. Eoin Culliton, Cahir Healy, John O’Loughlin and Brendan Quigley all became towering presences while Ross Munnelly recaptured the form of old.
Turning to 2013…They have been relegated to Division 2 but are imminently capable of gaining immediate promotion. That could make decent headway in Leinster as well but could do with discovering another scoring forward if they are to develop further under Justin McNulty’s tutelage.
LEITRIM
2012 was…a success. For a county fed on a diet of losses and setbacks, it was marvellous to witness how much it meant to the team and their supporters to have two big qualifier nights in Carrick-on-Shannon. They won the first against Wicklow, a historic feat, and in the second made Laois sweat for victory.
Their heart-warming moment…Their first ever win in the All-Ireland qualifiers was achieved with a 0-13 to 0-10 success against Wicklow on July 14th with Emlyn Mulligan notching 0-6 from frees and James Glancy adorning his performance with 0-5 from play.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The Connacht semi-final against Mayo. To lose out by 22 points was an experience that deeply hurt the Leitrim setup yet it was to their credit that they picked themselves up off the floor and responded admirably.
They discovered that…they too can thrive in the All-Ireland qualifiers. Before this year Leitrim were the only county in the country who had not experienced glory in the backdoor but that statistic has now been rectified.
Turning to 2013…A lack of finance and a lack of playing numbers will once again ensure they are obstacles in their quest for improvement but there is a good spirit in their group and the Connacht championship draw has been kind to them.
*Tomorrow – 2012 Reflections: Gaelic Football Part 4 – We look at the fortunes of Limerick, Longford, London, Louth, Mayo, Meath.*
