2012 was…progressive. Despite the ultimate disappointment of missing out on All-Ireland honours in September’s replay, an overall evaluation of Galway’s year must factor in where they came from. A team described as flaky showed their mettle in winning the All-Ireland semi-final and forcing a draw in the decider. Their free-scoring hurling abilities were unleashed throughout the Leinster championship.
Their heart-warming moment…That mesmerizing opening half of hurling in the provincial decider against Kilkenny. By the interval they were ahead by 14 points after producing explosive passages of play laced with skill and physique. Their subsequent victory blew the whole championship wide open.
Their gut-wrenching moment…Their All-Ireland final replay defeat. Even if the end margin of defeat was convincing, it did not make the anguish any easier to take. The drought since the Liam McCarthy Cup last crossed the Shannon in 1988 continues.
They discovered that…they have a few sparkling young talents in Johnny Coen, Niall Donoghue and David Burke. The underage conveyor belt is likely to churn out more in the near future on the evidence of recent underage teams.
Turning to 2013…Anthony Cunningham and his management sidekicks did a terrific job this year in putting Galway within touching distance of the ultimate honour. Taking the next step and ensuring they are not relegated in the order of the chasing pack are problems they need to solve in 2013.
KILKENNY
2012 was…immensely satisfying. Kilkenny treat every All-Ireland victory in a similarly joyous manner but there was a deeper meaning to this one. The first backdoor All-Ireland during Brian Cody’s reign as they banished doubts that existed after the Leinster final and were inspired by the magnificent leadership of Henry Shefflin who had overcome his own travails in the form of an injury.
Their heart-warming moment…Controlling the All-Ireland final replay, which featured a stellar showing from new boy Walter Walsh, to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup is the standout moment. But steamrolling Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final was another highlight for the Cats.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The Leinster final and particularly the first-half of that clash. Kilkenny did gain some respectability by winning the second-half by 2-7 to 0-10 but the opening period was a horror show as Galway dominated matters to sprint ahead by 2-12 to 0-4.
They discovered that…they have the players and management to overcome the adversity of a midsummer defeat. Kilkenny’s credentials were questioned after that provincial final reversal but their transformation between then and September was utterly remarkable.
Turning to 2013…Cody stays on, all the big guns will be back in harness and there are youngsters like Walsh and Cillian Buckley who will be eager for more. They are in great shape and the team everyone has to beat next year.
LAOIS
2012 was…terrible. Last season was tough to take with their championship meltdown against Cork but this year provided more misery as they got relegated from Division 1B, lost to Dublin in Leinster by 22 points and to Limerick in the qualifiers by 25 points.
Their heart-warming moment…There was little joy for the Midlands county in hurling terms this year. They lost all their league games with the two-point loss to Antrim being the closest they came to victory.
Their gut-wrenching moment…Their qualifier defeat to Limerick. Leaking such a hefty total means that in the past two years they have conceded 16-41 in their two qualifier matches.
They discovered that…they face a long road back towards recovery. Some decent underage displays of late will instill hope but there is plenty work to be done to improve the status of Laois.
Turning to 2013…Teddy McCarthy’s reign ended after one season with Seamus Plunkett taking the reins just before Christmas after a long search for a new manager. He will begin his efforts in Division 2A next spring.
Limerick’s Graeme Mulcahy and Gearoid Burke of Laois. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
LIMERICK
2012 was…optimistic. Limerick gave the heavyweight presences of Tipperary and Kilkenny serious examinations, were ruthless in dispatching Laois and Antrim in the qualifiers while also managing to get past Clare in a thrilling phase three tie.
Their heart-warming moment…That victory over Clare in the qualifiers in Semple Stadium. Clare entered the game in a buoyant mood after their win over Dublin but Limerick prevailed by 3-18 to 1-20 and they celebrated with gusto afterwards.
Their gut-wrenching moment…The loss to Tipperary in last May’s All-Ireland quarter-final was tough to take as Limerick ended up spurning a seven-point lead during the second-half. But the failure to emerge from Division 1B could be more damaging for a developing side.
They discovered that…they are on the right track. With a plethora of exciting young attackers like Graeme Mulcahy, Declan Hannon and Shane Dowling, Limerick have cause for optimism.
Turning to 2013…John Allen remains at the tiller for another season and will have the benefit of the Na Piarsaigh contingent for the earlier rounds of the league after their All-Ireland club commitments last year. They are likely to battle it out with Dublin for the coveted promotion spot.
OFFALY
2012 was…a mixed bag. The year was bookended by Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey challenging strongly at club level while the county side claimed a notable win over Wexford in the Leinster championship. But a heavy defeat to Galway saw them exit the provincial stage while Cork ended their interest in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Their heart-warming moment…That victory over Wexford in Tullamore in early June. Shane Dooley and Joe Bergin grabbed the crucial goals in a vital win for a team who had been on a losing streak of championship ties in recent years.
Their gut-wrenching moment…Seeing their championship year end once more in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at the hands of a Cork team in an All-Ireland qualifier tie.
They discovered that…the club game proves there is strength in the grassroots of the county. Translating that to the inter-county stage is the tricky part.
Turning to 2013…Ollie Baker will get set for his second season in charge of a team who will hope for a better promotion push from Division 1B and must also cope with a beast of a championship draw as they are pitted against Kilkenny on their first day out.
*Tomorrow – 2012 Reflections: Hurling (Liam McCarthy Cup) Part 3 – We look at the fortunes of Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford*
2012 Reflections: Hurling (Liam McCarthy Cup) Part 2
GALWAY
2012 was…progressive. Despite the ultimate disappointment of missing out on All-Ireland honours in September’s replay, an overall evaluation of Galway’s year must factor in where they came from. A team described as flaky showed their mettle in winning the All-Ireland semi-final and forcing a draw in the decider. Their free-scoring hurling abilities were unleashed throughout the Leinster championship.
Their heart-warming moment…That mesmerizing opening half of hurling in the provincial decider against Kilkenny. By the interval they were ahead by 14 points after producing explosive passages of play laced with skill and physique. Their subsequent victory blew the whole championship wide open.
They discovered that…they have a few sparkling young talents in Johnny Coen, Niall Donoghue and David Burke. The underage conveyor belt is likely to churn out more in the near future on the evidence of recent underage teams.
Turning to 2013…Anthony Cunningham and his management sidekicks did a terrific job this year in putting Galway within touching distance of the ultimate honour. Taking the next step and ensuring they are not relegated in the order of the chasing pack are problems they need to solve in 2013.
KILKENNY
2012 was…immensely satisfying. Kilkenny treat every All-Ireland victory in a similarly joyous manner but there was a deeper meaning to this one. The first backdoor All-Ireland during Brian Cody’s reign as they banished doubts that existed after the Leinster final and were inspired by the magnificent leadership of Henry Shefflin who had overcome his own travails in the form of an injury.
Their heart-warming moment…Controlling the All-Ireland final replay, which featured a stellar showing from new boy Walter Walsh, to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup is the standout moment. But steamrolling Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final was another highlight for the Cats.
They discovered that…they have the players and management to overcome the adversity of a midsummer defeat. Kilkenny’s credentials were questioned after that provincial final reversal but their transformation between then and September was utterly remarkable.
Turning to 2013…Cody stays on, all the big guns will be back in harness and there are youngsters like Walsh and Cillian Buckley who will be eager for more. They are in great shape and the team everyone has to beat next year.
LAOIS
2012 was…terrible. Last season was tough to take with their championship meltdown against Cork but this year provided more misery as they got relegated from Division 1B, lost to Dublin in Leinster by 22 points and to Limerick in the qualifiers by 25 points.
Their heart-warming moment…There was little joy for the Midlands county in hurling terms this year. They lost all their league games with the two-point loss to Antrim being the closest they came to victory.
They discovered that…they face a long road back towards recovery. Some decent underage displays of late will instill hope but there is plenty work to be done to improve the status of Laois.
Turning to 2013…Teddy McCarthy’s reign ended after one season with Seamus Plunkett taking the reins just before Christmas after a long search for a new manager. He will begin his efforts in Division 2A next spring.
Limerick’s Graeme Mulcahy and Gearoid Burke of Laois. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
LIMERICK
2012 was…optimistic. Limerick gave the heavyweight presences of Tipperary and Kilkenny serious examinations, were ruthless in dispatching Laois and Antrim in the qualifiers while also managing to get past Clare in a thrilling phase three tie.
Their heart-warming moment…That victory over Clare in the qualifiers in Semple Stadium. Clare entered the game in a buoyant mood after their win over Dublin but Limerick prevailed by 3-18 to 1-20 and they celebrated with gusto afterwards.
They discovered that…they are on the right track. With a plethora of exciting young attackers like Graeme Mulcahy, Declan Hannon and Shane Dowling, Limerick have cause for optimism.
Turning to 2013…John Allen remains at the tiller for another season and will have the benefit of the Na Piarsaigh contingent for the earlier rounds of the league after their All-Ireland club commitments last year. They are likely to battle it out with Dublin for the coveted promotion spot.
OFFALY
2012 was…a mixed bag. The year was bookended by Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey challenging strongly at club level while the county side claimed a notable win over Wexford in the Leinster championship. But a heavy defeat to Galway saw them exit the provincial stage while Cork ended their interest in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Their heart-warming moment…That victory over Wexford in Tullamore in early June. Shane Dooley and Joe Bergin grabbed the crucial goals in a vital win for a team who had been on a losing streak of championship ties in recent years.
They discovered that…the club game proves there is strength in the grassroots of the county. Translating that to the inter-county stage is the tricky part.
Turning to 2013…Ollie Baker will get set for his second season in charge of a team who will hope for a better promotion push from Division 1B and must also cope with a beast of a championship draw as they are pitted against Kilkenny on their first day out.
*Tomorrow – 2012 Reflections: Hurling (Liam McCarthy Cup) Part 3 – We look at the fortunes of Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford*
2012 Reflections: Hurling (Liam MacCarthy Cup) Part 1
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Editor's picks GAA Galway Hurling Kilkenny Laois Limerick Looking Back Offaly