1. Who do you think will lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup in September?
Paul Dollery: Given the quality of their All-Ireland final win, it would probably be naive to back against Tipperary. Brian Cody will have Kilkenny primed to right the wrongs of 2016, considering that only once have they gone more than a year without winning an All-Ireland since 2000.
Waterford fans should be very optimistic going into this season, there’s a huge amount of talent waiting to graduate from their successful U21 team. Under the right system and with the calibre of players at Derek McGrath’s disposal, I think there’s an All-Ireland in this Waterford team.
Alan Waldron: It’s hard to see more than five counties as contenders this year, and considering the manner in which they prevailed last September you’d expect Tipperary to repeat the feat in 2017.
Wounded Cats are a dangerous animal, Waterford are clearly a side on the rise and Galway have the firepower to put away any team in the country but whether they can do it over a stretch of games remains to be seen. Clare could be the surprise package. Smart money is on Tipp with Galway the most likely to cause them problems.
Kevin O’Brien: Waterford. I’d expect Derek McGrath’s fourth year in charge of the Deise will be his last. This maturing and talented squad, with 2016 All-Ireland U21 medals jangling in their back pockets, will be desperate to finally deliver the holy grail before he bows out. Austin Gleeson is the finest hurler in the country and with a plethora of young attacking talent around him, this could be the year they finally end the drought.
Tipperary have the best squad in the country and will go close again, while Brian Cody’s rebuilding works in Kilkenny might go quicker than people expect. Galway, if they can avoid any melodrama, have the attack to win it all, but something tells me this is Waterford’s year.
Fintan O’Toole: Galway to end a drought that is stretching into a 29th year. They gave champions Tipperary their biggest battle last year, Michael Donoghue is an impressive manager who has now had a full pre season to shape the team and their desire to succeed must be huge.
Sinead Farrell: Given how Kilkenny responded the last time they were defeated in an All-Ireland final, I would be inclined to predict that they will reclaim All-Ireland honours this year.
2. Who will get their hands on Sam Maguire in September?
Paul Dollery: While I believe the likes of Kerry, Mayo and possibly Tyrone are capable of toppling them with fortune in their favour, Dublin — with 2015 Footballer of the Year Jack McCaffrey back in the equation — only look likely to get stronger before they get weaker.
Alan Waldron: This Dublin team are special but three-in-a-row hasn’t been done for more than 30 years for good reason. The successful underage teams of recent years should bolster Tyrone, Kerry and Mayo stocks for the coming campaign but if Jim Gavin can avoid serious injuries to his key players it will take a serious performance to dethrone the reigning champions.
Kevin O’Brien: This is a tough one. On paper, Dublin are the strongest squad but going for a three-in-a-row in this era of media attention is enormously difficult. They’re also due a few injuries, which they’ve avoided in recent years. I’ll go with Kerry to go all the way with an emerging core, especially in defence, to make their names in 2017. Mayo will need to adopt a real siege mentality to avoid another season of failure, while if Tyrone could find another scoring forward in the spring they’d emerge as serious contenders.
Fintan O’Toole: The All-Ireland senior football three-in-a-row hasn’t been done since 1986 but Dublin are capable of achieving that special feat. Jack McCaffrey’s return will supplement their defence while the emergence of forwards like Colm Basquel and Con O’Callaghan will bolster their attack. Kerry, Tyrone and Mayo to be their biggest challengers.
Sinead Farrell: Although Mayo are within inches of ending that drought of All-Ireland glory, Dublin will retain the Sam Maguire again in 2017.
3. Name one hurler you expect to star this year?
Paul Dollery: Stephen Bennett has the potential to make a significant impact for Waterford if given the opportunity to be a regular starter. Having scored two goals in last year’s All-Ireland U21 final, he looks like a genuine match-winner who I’m excited to see more of.
Alan Waldron: He clearly has all the attributes to be one of the best forwards in the country and 2017 could well be the year that Conor Cooney consistently rams that point home. Sharpness should be no issue for the 24-year-old with dreams of a St Patrick’s Day run-out at Croker keeping him ticking over right through the winter. If Galway are to kick on this year you’d expect Cooney to be to the forefront.
Kevin O’Brien: Tony Kelly. I’d expect his run of form from Ballyea’s club run to continue into the league and championship. Incoming Clare co-managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor are quite familiar with how to get the best out of Kelly, having coached him underage. They will hope to release the shackles on Kelly and his Clare teammates.
Fintan O’Toole: Tony Kelly’s league and club form was spellbinding in 2016. If he can replicate that in championship in 2017 under the guidance of his former successful underage managers, Clare can thrive.
Sinead Farrell: Despite concluding 2016 with that agonising free in the All-Ireland semi-final, Pauric Mahony is likely to star again for Waterford this season.
4. Name one Gaelic footballer you think will shine this year?
Paul Dollery: Having been so crucial to Tipperary’s surprise run to the All-Ireland semi-finals in 2016, I’m eager to see if both Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney can go to the next level and ensure that Tipp feature regularly in the latter stages of the championship.
Alan Waldron: Con O’Callaghan had quite a 2016, making the breakthrough, albeit on the fringes, for Gavin’s side; starring for Dublin’s U21 outfit as their reached the All-Ireland semi-final; and destroying all defences before him as Cuala claimed a maiden provincial hurling title. And, by all accounts, we’ve seen nothing yet from the talented youngster. There is no shortage of competition for spots in the Dublin forward line but his aggressive running, direct approach and eye for goal certainly add to the arsenal of the Boys in Blue. It may be a year too soon for him to really make his mark but given a chance I’d expect him to seize it with both hands.
Kevin O’Brien: I think Peter Harte could be in for a career-defining season for Tyrone. The Red Hand took another step forward in 2016, with Harte central to their swift counter-attacking play. He displayed his nerves of steel with that stunning Ulster final score against Donegal last year and with Tyrone primed for another assault on the All-Ireland, Harte should flourish.
Fintan O’Toole: Patrick Durcan had a superb close to last season, growing in stature for Mayo with every game. He’s a rampaging wing-back that Stephen Rochford will hope can improve again in 2017
Sinead Farrell: After returning from his sabbatical, Jack McCaffrey will make a statement in 2017 for Dublin. It’s understood that he has already returned to training with the team.
5. Which two clubs will be celebrating on St Patrick’s Day?
Paul Dollery: Ballyea and St Vincent’s.
Alan Waldron: As much as I’d like to see the Slaughtneil fairytale continue, both Galway sides — St Thomas and Corofin — look like strong, experienced outfits and well equipped to go all the way.
Kevin O’Brien: I’ll go with the Galway clubs – St Thomas and Corofin.
Fintan O’Toole: Ballyea in hurling and Corofin in football.
Sinead Farrell: Ballyea have developed into the story of the hurling club championship and are primed for All-Ireland success. St Vincent’s have the scoring power to take the All-Ireland football crown.
6. Pick your All-Ireland camogie and ladies football champions?
Paul Dollery: I’ll go with Cork for camogie and Dublin for ladies football.
Alan Waldron: Dublin in the ladies football and Cork in the camogie.
Kevin O’Brien: I’m going to go with Cork to collect their third camogie All-Ireland in four years, and Dublin to end the dominance of the Rebelettes in ladies football.
Fintan O’Toole: I think Kilkenny are capable of retaining their camogie title and Dublin, under the watch of new boss Mick Bohan, can get over the line in ladies football.
Sinead Farrell: 2017 is a year where Cork could do the double again. Their footballers continue to thrive on All-Ireland final day while the camogie team will be looking to avenge for their defeat in the 2016 decider.
7. Finally which GAA storyline is worth keeping an eye on in 2017?
Paul Dollery: Love or loathe him, the hurling championship would be a duller place without Davy Fitzgerald. He’s going into a Wexford set up that’s on a fairly solid platform, so there’s potential there for him to guide them in the right direction. Fitzgerald often has an immediate and positive impact when he takes on a new job so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wexford, with the right draw, in an All-Ireland semi-final. Whether it works or not, following Davy Fitz’s progress in the south-east will be fascinating.
Alan Waldron: The black card, the likely non-event that the introduction of the ‘mark’ will be, and the dull debate around sweepers in hurling are sure to dominate the chatter once again. But like every year — 2016 gave us the Tipp footballers and Slaughtneil to name just two fascinating narratives — it is the surprise elements that make a season. Trying to pick one storyline is like pinning a tail on the donkey, it’s impossible to do until you can see it with your own eyes. I’m happy to sit back and watch it all unfold.
Kevin O’Brien: How Mayo will fare after another winter of unwanted media attention and criticism. In the wake of the Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly interview, will the Mayo squad show a united front or will the cracks start showing in the camp?
How will the players react to questions about that interview in the media? Can they put another All-Ireland defeat behind them? Will they find a role that will allow Aidan O’Shea to fulfill his enormous potential? Who’ll win the goalkeeper battle? As ever, Mayo should provide plenty of entertainment this year.
Fintan O’Toole: The impact that the new Club Players Association will make. The fixtures issue continues to be a source of serious discontent for club players all over the country.
Sinead Farrell: It’s already gathering attention and it will be interesting to see what kind of an impact the ‘mark’ makes in Gaelic Football this year.
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Who are you backing for success this year? Let us know in the comments section below.
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