Antrim
Last year: Lost vs. Kildare, All-Ireland Qualifiers 1st Round
First game: vs. Donegal, May 15.
What the manager says? “This is the time of year which all teams relish — there is nothing to beat the heat of championship action. We would just love to see the Antrim supporters come out in their thousands.” — Liam Bradley
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Come On Feel The Noise – Slade
Supporters are most likely to say? “Is there nothing better on the telly?”
Verdict: Antrim’s Ulster Championship begins – and very possibly ends – with trip to Ballybofey to face Donegal this weekend. When the two sides last met at Ballyshannon six weeks ago, Liam Bradley’s men found themselves on the end of a nine-point defeat and it is difficult to believe that much has changed in the meantime. Influential players like Kevin O’Boyle will do their best to keep things tight at the back in the hope that The Saffrons front six bring their scoring boots. Any real chance of progress will hinge on a favourable draw in the qualifiers.
Armagh
Last year: Lost vs. Dublin, All-Ireland Qualifiers 3rd Round
First game: vs. Down, May 28.
What the manager says? “Without a shadow of a doubt, the Ulster Championship is the biggest minefield in the country. But the games that you get in Ulster, and hopefully we get plenty of them, do prepare you for the games later on in the year — if you’re still in the business end of things.” — Paddy O’Rourke, May 2010
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J
Supporters are most likely to say? “Never write us off.”
Verdict: It’s hard to know what to make of Armagh this time around. The disappointment of last summer carried over into the spring with the Orchard managing just two wins in a rather bleak Division One campaign. However, with footballers of the calibre of McDonnell, Clarke and Kernan in the side, it is impossible to completely write them off. As they prepare for their Championship opener against Down in a fortnight’s time, confidence appears to be the key issue. Win that and who knows what might happen?
Cavan
Last year: Lost vs. Cork, All Ireland Qualifiers 2nd Round
First game: vs. Donegal or Antrim, June 12.
What the manager says? “This really is the HOPE programme. H stands for Hard work, O is for Opportunity, P is for Professionalism and E is for Energy, and that’s really what we’re going with.” — Val Andrews
What’s on the dressing room iPod? The Greatest Love of All – George Benson
Supporters are most likely to say? “HOPE? What’s that?”
Verdict: It has been an unusual few months for Cavan football fans. While Terry Hyland’s U21 panel have been capturing the public’s imagination en route to their defeat in the All-Ireland Final, the senior squad have found themselves struggling in Division Three once more. With Hyland joining forces with Val Andrews to manage the seniors, it seems that The Breffni are aware of the need to blood and integrate as much of this young talent as soon as possible. Expect this season to be a learning experience for however long it lasts.
Derry
Last year: Lost vs. Kildare, All-Ireland Qualifiers 3rd Round
First game: vs. Fermanagh, May 22.
What the manager says? “Every Derry match you go to, the crowd seems to be down year-on-year. When the side is beat, you hear folk saying things like ‘That’s Derry for you.’ I want optimism around the county. I honestly believe Derry are in position where they shouldn’t be.” — John Brennan
What’s on the dressing room iPod? My Generation – The Who
Supporters are most likely to say? “That’s Derry for you.”
Verdict: Considered by most as genuine contenders for the Ulster crown, it will be interesting to see how John Brennan’s men manage the pressure of expectation. The prospect of facing either Armagh or Down in the semi-final is one which will cause a few sleepless nights, with some critics wasting no time in writing Derry off as inconsistent imposters. Should they falter, the absence of the massively influential Paddy Bradley will serve as a ready-made excuse.
Donegal
Last year: Lost vs. Armagh, All-Ireland Qualifiers 1st Round
First game: vs. Antrim, May 15.
What the manager says? “Overall, we are happy with our consistency. The work ethic has been good on and off the pitch. When you work hard you normally get your just rewards.” — Jim McGuinness
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Movin’ On Up – M People
Supporters are most likely to say? “Michael Murphy is the best footballer in the country, bar none.”
Verdict: After 19 years in the Ulster wilderness, could this finally be the year in which the Anglo-Celt Cup finally makes its return to the north-west? The signs are certainly promising. With many of last year’s All-Ireland U21 silver medallists making the progression to the senior side along with manager Jim McGuinness, Donegal now boast one of the strongest panels which the county has seen for a long time, as proven by their table-topping league campaign. They have a star in Michael Murphy, yet cleverly refuse to become over-reliant on him. They may only be at the beginning of their rise but the summer should be an interesting one.
Down
Last year: Lost vs. Cork, All-Ireland Final
First game: vs. Armagh, May 28.
What the manager says? “We think we’re evolving and I certainly believe I’ve a lot of players more comfortable playing against top-quality players.” — James McCartan
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
Supporters are most likely to say? “The best is yet to come.”
Verdict: A first Ulster title in 17 years will undoubtedly be the most achievable priority for James McCartan and Down this summer. After an impressive debut year in the hotseat, the gaffer appears to have identified his best starting 15 over the course of a respectable Division One campaign and is willing to stick to it. The Clarke-Coulter axis was central to much of Down’s success last year and if the duo can reproduce the same form, the Mournemen will be tough to beat at both ends of the field. Armagh will provide a stern test in the opener but a side good enough to take the provincial crown should relish the challenge.
Fermanagh
Last year: Lost vs. Armagh, All-Ireland Qualifiers 2nd Round
First game: vs. Derry, May 22.
What the manager says? “We were going through a spell both on and off the pitch where things weren’t going well for us. Some of those were of our making and some of them weren’t. But we’ve come through it, it’s in the past and we don’t talk about it now.” — John O’Neill
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Why Don’t You Like Me? – Frank Zappa
Supporters are most likely to say? Is yer man still managing us?
Verdict: What next for Fermanagh? Manager John O’Neill and the less mutinous members of the squad have already endured one of the most stressful seasons of their careers – and the Championship hasn’t even kicked off yet. Expect a rather short summer adventure for The Ernesiders who are simply short too many men in too many positions.
Monaghan
Last year: Lost vs. Tyrone, Ulster Final; Lost vs. Kildare, All-Ireland Qualifiers 4th Round
First game: vs. Tyrone, June 5.
What the manager says? “I see my priority as delivering a provincial title in 2011.” — Eamonn McEnaney
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Yesterday – The Beatles
Supporters are most likely to say? “Here we go again.”
Verdict: With a squad in transition and a new manager still learning the ropes, it is hard to know what to expect from Monaghan this summer. Experience was one of the Farney men’s key strengths in last season’s journey to the Ulster Final but since then, a number of the team’s older hands have drifted to the periphery. A run in the qualifiers is the most likely option, but even that much could be a stretch.
Tyrone
Last year: Ulster Champions; Lost vs. Dublin, All-Ireland Quarter-Final
First game: vs. Monaghan, June 5.
What the manager says? “A lot of teams will feel they can win the Ulster championship. Optimism will prevail in most counties and we would be hopeful that we can build on our recent consistency.” — Mickey Harte
What’s on the dressing room iPod? Bad – Michael Jackson
Supporters are most likely to say? “It’s a man’s game, get used to it.”
Verdict: As far as Mickey Harte is concerned, very little has changed as Tyrone prepare to defend their Ulster title. The panel which has won the provincial championship three times in the last four years remains largely intact, but the major concern is that age will finally catch up with some of the county’s bigger names. That aside, there are few fresh question marks surrounding Tyrone’s capability. They remain favourites in Ulster – but with Donegal and Down on the up, the crown will not be won as easily as it has been in recent years.
