The Munster Senior Football Championship throws in on May 31st so ahead of the provincial campaign, the GAA heads in JOE have put together a bit of a preview.
The draw sees Limerick face Tipperary in the quarter final round, the winners will face Cork in the semi-final while Kerry await the winners of the other quarter final between Clare and Waterford.
Here’s our run through on the contenders for the Munster crown…
Cork
The Rebels will go into their Munster campaign in high spirits after a pretty successful league campaign which saw them lose out to Dublin in the semi-final. Their new coach Brian Cuthbert has implemented his free flowing game plan and Cork’s style of play has been very easy on the eye in the opening months of 2014.
The big question is whether this year may come too soon for their young squad in terms of winning Sam Maguire but they have the talent and depth necessary to go far and perhaps all the way to Croke Park in September.
Key Man: Aidan Walsh – The Kanturk man’s performances in the middle of the park will be vital if Cork want to have a successful year; his fielding and athleticism is up there with anyone in the country. Cuthbert will be hoping his dual commitments won’t be too much of a work load.
Young Player to watch: Brian Hurley – The youngster from Castlehaven broke onto the scene last year and is set to light up the Championship this summer. His strength and shooting accuracy (off both feet) are frightening.
World Cup Twin: Argentina – A team that has always been full of talented players and arguably should have won more than they have.
Sky Sports Celebrity Pundit: Roy Keane – He’s already experienced in the world of punditry and he’s been regularly spotted at Cork GAA matches over the years so he’s well placed to offer an interesting and scarily brutal insight into his beloved home county.
JOE’s Prediction: All-Ireland semi final defeat.
Kerry
The Kingdom go into this summer’s Championship in a less than optimistic mood following the retirements of the likes of Paul Galvin and Tomas O’Se and the long-term injury to key man Colm Cooper. Kieran Donaghy is also out for an unspecified length of time while Declan O’Sullivan is yet to return to the fold. It feels like a season of transition for Kerry but they can never be ruled out of the equation and as such, JOE is very interested to see what Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s side will bring to the table this year.
Key Man: James O’Donoghue – The Legion club man is the one most Kerry fans are pinning their hopes on following Gooch’s injury. O’Donoghue proved last summer and during this year’s league that he’s one of the most dangerous forwards in the game.
Young Player: Paul Murphy – Murphy produced some impressive performances in the McGrath Cup and the league and the defender from Rathmore is likely to be one of the breakthrough players in green and gold. He looks ready for Championship football already.
World Cup Twin: Brazil – The great entertainers with a hugely successful history, both also boast a tradition of beautiful women… (Editor’s note: The author of this piece is also from Kerry)
Sky Sports Celebrity Pundit: The obvious choice is Paul Galvin but for entertainment and originality, it has to be Radio Kerry’s Weeshie Fogarty.
JOE’s Prediction: All Ireland quarter-final defeat.
Clare
The feel good factor in Clare GAA at the moment is at an all time high. The hurlers are All-Ireland champions and the county’s footballers won promotion from Division 4 of the league earlier this year. Colm Collins is in his first year in charge and has good pedigree after a successful stint with Cratloe, who almost beat Dr Crokes in last year’s Munster Club Final.
Key Man: David Tubridy – The key marksman has to play well for Clare to get anywhere; there will be a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.
Young Player: Podge Collins – Son of the manager and one of the stars of last year’s hurling championship, he’ll hope to make a similar, spectacular impact with the big ball this summer.
World Cup Twin: Australia – Both surfing havens and both in the shadow of a more successful team, Clare (hurlers), Australia (Cricketers).
Sky Sports Celebrity Pundit: Clare’s newly adopted billionaire Donald Trump would add a certain something to the panel, we’re not sure what that something would be but it sure would be entertaining.
JOE’s Prediction: Knocked out in the second round of the qualifiers.
Limerick
John Brudair is in charge of his first Championship campaign and will be hoping to improve on last year when they were hammered by Cork and Longford. The Treaty’s league campaign hasn’t given them too much hope for optimism after they finished sixth in Division 3, they do have home advantage against Tipperary in the quarter final so they’ll be hoping that might play into their hands.
Key Man: Ian Ryan – The tricky corner forward is capable of anything on his day, his recent form is good and he scored 1-10 in a league game against Wexford not so long ago. Also deadly from a placed ball, he’s crucial to Limerick’s hopes of progress.
Young Player: Eoghan Hanrahan – A young forward who will be hoping to help Ryan in the scoring department, he was an ever present in the league.
World Cup Twin: Nigeria – They always seem to have a few brilliant individuals but not enough to challenge. They also have similar jerseys.
Sky Sports Celebrity Pundit: Jerry Flannery – The camera loves him and he would bring his unique version of the Irish language along with him. Also, how good would that hair look in stunning HD?
JOE’s Prediction: Knocked out in the second round of the qualifiers.
Waterford
The retirement of Gary Hurney is a huge blow to the Deise, he’s been their outstanding player for years and his presence will be difficult to replace. A disappointing league campaign saw them finish fifth in Division 4 but they nearly pulled off a huge shock last year when running Galway close in the qualifiers and they’ll be hoping for a similar display when they face Clare in the Munster quarter final.
Key Man: Paul Whyte – Whyte will assume the mantle from Hurney as Waterford’s most important player; he’s been playing senior since he was 17 and the full forward/midfielder needs to be at his best if Waterford want to make any impact.
Young Player: Liam O’Lionain – Waterford’s minor team is full of potential despite losing to Cork in the Munster semi final but if O’Lionain can stay fit, he’s got all the ability to make a consistent impact.
World Cup Twin: Algeria – An unknown quantity in many ways and the anticipated whipping boys of the competition.
Sky Sports Celebrity Pundit: Keith Barry – Waterford may need some magic from Keith to go anywhere but the potential for him to brain hack other guests excites us.
JOE’s Prediction: First round qualifier exit.
Tipperary
Tipperary are best equipped to challenge the big two in Munster. Peter Creedon is in this third year in charge and that will bring consistency in terms of methods and systems. Tipp are still waiting for their All Ireland winning 2011 minor team to make a real impact at senior level and this year could see the beginning of that.
Key Man: Conor Sweeney – A scoring phenomenon during the league, bagging a total of 5-41, the 23 year old looks the real deal and should cause Limerick plenty of problems in the Munster Quarter Final.
Young Player: Michael Quinlivan – One of the stars of that 2011 team that went all the way, Quinlivan is one of those players who always looks like he has time on the ball, a real prospect.
World Cup Twin: Iran – For years both relied on one man (Declan Browne/Ali Daei) but now both seem to have spread out the responsibilities. Both are also big outsiders.
Sky Sports Celebrity Pundit: Pat Shortt – Just because he’s capable of this craic…
JOE’s Prediction: Round three of the qualifiers.
