Although they have won three All-Irelands this decade, Tyrone have never won back-to-back Sam Maguires. Manager Mickey Harte will be privately setting that as the target for his side. Dublin have a new man at the tiller in Pat Gilroy. He has the coaching talents of Mickey Whelan by his side, backed up by the sports science know-how of Niall Moyna and his team in Dublin City University. If Gilroy can solve the Dubs’ defensive frailties then they could go close to ending their famine. With Alan and Bernard Brogan and Diarmuid Connolly firing on all cylinders, their attack will pose problems for any defence in the country. But it is at the other end of the field that Dublin must shine. Armagh and Tyrone have invested thought and time to come up with defensive systems that work. Dublin must do the same if they are to experience the atmosphere of an All-Ireland final.
play for effect the Rebels will be fielding a ‘C’ selection. Even Kilkenny lack that strength in depth! Tipperary can improve on 2008, but their Munster rivals Waterford may find that the opportunity to claim the county’s first All-Ireland success has slipped away. Galway’s inclusion in the Leinster senior hurling championship will add a bit of spice to the eastern province’s tournament. But, apart from attracting a greater number of neutral supporters to a Leinster final between the Tribesman and the Cats, they don’t look like they will shock the system in 2009. So no change in 2009 – Kilkenny to reign supreme.
Kerry gold? Jack O’Connor’s return to the bridge in charge of Kerry’s footballers will fill the county’s supporters with hope. O’Connor obviously feels he has unfinished business and you can expect that, with him in charge and fitness guru Pat Flanagan back by his side, the Kingdom will be an even more potent and disciplined force in 2009.
Kop on Few stand as high as Liverpool in the ranks of sporting enigmas when it comes to trying to explain why the Scousers have not been crowned league champions since the season of 1989-90. Liverpool have won 18 league crowns, a milestone that Alex Ferguson has in his sights. So far this season The Pool have held strong, and if Steven Gerrard and Fernarndo Torres can inspire their team until the end of the season they could end their long wait. The destiny of the title this season will run under the final few weeks and at that stage Rafa Benitez could hold the upper hand over his direct opponents with a run-in that concluded with games against Newcastle, West Ham, West Brom and Tottenham. So it’s Liverpool to finally return to the top in the Premier League l
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