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Thy Kingdom Come

Lifting Sam, Irish ladies rugby stars and Allstar glory - Kerry's 2014 sporting highlights

It was great year of sport for the Kingdom with Gaelic football providing most of the highlights.

But what about [insert your county here]? Don’t worry, we’ll be producing a series of articles that will cover every county in Ireland – even yours – over the next few weeks. See the ones we’ve already covered here.

1. Kerry landed Sam yet again in September

That’s the 37th time they’ve brought the cup home after a 2-9 to 0-12 win over Donegal.

Fionn Fitzgerald and Kieran O'Leary lift the Sam Maguire trophy Fionn Fitzgerald and Kieran O'Leary lift the trophy James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Kerry players celebrate with the Sam Maguire cup Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

2. The Kingdom also won the Munster title back in July

Cork were put to the sword in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Fionn Fitzgerald and Kieran OÕLeary lift the trophy Fionn Fitzgerald and Kieran O'Leary claim silverware in July James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Bryan Sheehan, Killian Young and Aidan OÕMahony Bryan Sheehan, Killian Young and Aidan O'Mahony celebrate Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

3. Jack O’Connor was back winning All-Ireland titles, this time with the county minor side

Alan O'Sulivan, manager Jack O'Connor and Brian Rayel Alan O'Sullivan, Jack O'Connor and Brian Rayle. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The Kerry team celebrate Kerry minor players celebrate James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

4. Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Tommy Griffin steered PS Chorca Dhuibhne to claim the Hogan Cup

Fitzmaurice PS Chorca Dhuibhne defeated St Pat's Maghera in the All-Ireland senior football colleges final

5. Billy and Darren Dennehy played key roles in Cork City’s push for the league title

Billy Dennehy Billy Dennehy in action against Dundalk

Darren Dennehy Darren Dennehy in action against Dundalk

6. Austin Stacks were crowned Kerry and AIB Munster senior club football champions

Austin Stacks players celebrate with the cup Austin Stacks beat Mid Kerry in the county final and The Nire in the Munster decider Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

7. And Stacks fans won huge plaudits for the colour they brought to matches

Tralee Today / YouTube

8. Ardfert landed the Munster intermediate club football title and Brosna won the junior crown

Kerry GAATV / YouTube

9. Jockey Bryan Cooper had a couple of big racing wins

Bryan Cooper rides Rule the World to victory Cooper rides Rule The World to victory in The Limestone Lad Hurdle last January Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Lieutenant Colonel ridden by Bryan Cooper comes home to win Cooper aboard Lieutenant Colonel who won the Hatton's Grace Hurdle. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

10. JJ Hanrahan’s progress continued with Munster

JJ Hanrahan Hanrahan in action in the Guinnes PRO12 against Newport Gwent Dragons. Ashley Crowden / INPHO Ashley Crowden / INPHO / INPHO

11. Scoring king James O’Donoghue was crowned Footballer of the Year

Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

12. Allstars for Murphy, Moran, Donaghy, Crowley and O’Donoghue

Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

13. Ailis Egan, Sharon Lynch and Siobhan Fleming were all part of the Irish Womens’ Rugby team

Ailis Egan Ireland's Ailis Egan

Siobhan Fleming and Sharon Lynch celebrate with family and friends Siobhan Fleming and Sharon Lynch celebrate with family and friends Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

14. Paul Geaney captained UCC to the Sigerson Cup with five other Kerry men on the team

Goalkeeper Brian Kelly, defenders Fearghal McNamara and David Culhane, and the attacking duo of Sean Keane and Conor Cox also started in the final for UCC.

Paul Geaney and Brian Kelly celebrate winning Paul Geaney and Brian Kelly celebrate UCC's Sigerson Cup win. Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO / Russell Pritchard/INPHO

15. Bryan Murphy, Daniel Collins and Padraig Boyle all won Christy Ring Champions 15 hurling awards

SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE

16. David Moran played for Ireland in the International Rules in Perth

David Moran and Aidan Walsh David Moran in action against Australia Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

17. Castleisland Desmonds lifted the All-Ireland intermediate ladies club trophy

Castleisland Desmonds v Clonbur -  TESCO HomeGrown Intermediate Ladies Football Club Championship Final The Castleisland Desmonds team triumphed against Clonbur Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

18. Tributes poured in at opposite ends of the year after Paul Galvin and Declan O’Sullivan retired

Andrew Paton / INPHO Andrew Paton / INPHO / INPHO

Kieran Donaghy’s 11 steps from injury to 2014 All-Ireland, Munster and county champion

Éamonn Fitzmaurice joined 10 other GAA greats in a special group yesterday