Hot stuff, hot seats

Eamon McEneaney's appointment as Louth manager yesterday completed the sideline shuffles and reshuffles for next year's Football Championship. Only two hurling posts are yet to be filled. Brendan O'Brien tours the country for an end-of-season report.

LEINSTER

Carlow

SHC winners: Naomh Eoin (Myshall) secured their 18th title with the three-point defeat of Mount Leinster, before giving James Stephens the fright of their lives in Leinster.

SFC winners: Éire Óg captured their 23rd senior title with a one-point win over town rivals O'Hanrahan's.

SH management 2006: After a hugely encouraging first campaign last year, Eoin Garvey has agreed to lead the troops again.

SF management 2006: Liam Hayes ignored the temptation of the Meath job to pledge himself to Carlow. The former Allstar has no official term but will stay as long as the Barrowsiders want him.

Dublin

SHC winners: UCD reclaimed their title before embarking on another concerted run through the province.

SFC winners: A Mark Vaughan-inspired Kilmacud Crokes outclassed Na Fianna in the final.

SH management: Tommy Naughton, who saved the Dubs from the grips of the Christy Ring Cup last summer, starts a two-year term.

SF management: Paul Caffrey enters the second year of a three-year term he is due to serve without review.

Kildare

SHC winners: Celbridge celebrated their first SHC title in 84 years.

SFC winners: An uninspiring championship where Sarsfields took two attempts to get past underdogs St Laurence's in the decider.

SH management: Morgan Lawlor has called time on his involvement after five years at the helm. His replacement has yet to be appointed.

SF management: John Crofton has taken over from Padraig Nolan and has already declared his intention to build from scratch.

Kilkenny

SHC winners: Holders James Stephens saw off the challenge of Ballyhale Shamrocks in front of 13,000 spectators in the final on October 23.

SFC winners: Muckalee ended top of the pile but their season ended with defeat to Meath's Dunboyne in Leinster.

SH management: Brian Cody will mastermind Kilkenny's efforts for a seventh year after being ratified for another season.

SF management: Dick Mullins was in charge last year and will probably be so again for the county's few fixtures in 2006.

Laois

SHC winners: Castletown saw off Camross after a replay that was overshadowed by the controversy that erupted following on-the-field violence.

SFC winners: Stradbally edged past last year's All-Ireland finalists Portlaoise in the decider.

SH management: Dinny Cahill has wasted no time in getting back in the saddle, succeeding Paudie Butler.

SF management: Mick O'Dwyer remains on for the second year of a two-year term, his fifth in total with the county.

Longford

SHC winners: 1-11 from Joe O'Brien was enough for Clonguish to saunter past holders Wolfe Tones in the final.

SFC winners: Dromard confounded the experts by shunting aside champions Clonguish and favourites Fr Manning Gaels.

SH management: After a successful stint last year, Tom Lynam is back in charge.

SF management: Despite rumours Luke Dempsey was unhappy with the commitment of some players, he will serve the second year of his two-year term.

Louth

SHC winners: Pearse Óg won the decider against Knockbridge after a replay.

SFC winners: Mattock Rangers edged out favourites Newtown Blues in the county final.

SH management: The trio of Kevin McDonnell, Seamus Moore and Paul Callan are expected to continue.

SF management: Eamon McEneaney starts a five-year term in charge.

Meath

SHC winners: Killyon completed a major shock by having four points to spare on favourites Kilmessan in the final.

SFC winners: Dunboyne lost their semi-final but still won the title thanks to their successful appeal after the defeat to Navan O'Mahony's, who fielded one too many subs.

SH management: Johnny Murray stays on board after stepping into the shoes of John Hunt in March.

SF management: Eamon Barry takes over from Sean Boylan with a similar deal to the Dunboyne man, whereby his situation will be reviewed year by year.

Offaly

SHC winners: Having been beaten by Coolderry in last season's decider, Birr tasted sweet revenge in this year's final, winning by 15 points.

SFC winners: A late (very late) Pascal Kellaghan goal broke Shamrocks' hearts in the county final and allowed Rhode to retain their crown.

SH management: John McIntyre will serve the second year of his two-year term with the county he previously managed in 1997.

SF management: Despite criticism over the county's championship defeats to Laois and Carlow, Kevin Kilmurray was appointed for a two-year period without review and will therefore be manager again for 2006.

Westmeath

SHC winners: Castlepollard won a 14th title after disposing of Lough Lene Gaels after a replay.

SFC winners: The Downs disposed of a fancied Garrycastle in the county final.

SH management: Seamus Qualter remains in place for the coming season, adding Olly Baker to his selection team.

SF management: Tomas O'Flatharta steps up from the role of lieutenant to general in the wake of Páidí Ó Sé's departure.

Wexford

SHC winners: Liam Dunne and Martin Storey still had enough in the old legs to steer Oulart-the-Ballagh to another county crown at the expense of St Martin's.

SFC winners: Horeswood made history by winning their first senior county bauble at the expense of Adamstown, who themselves were looking to get their hands on the senior silverware for the first time.

SH management: Seamus Murphy remains on to serve the second year of a two-year term despite a disappointing season for the 2004 Leinster champions.

SF management: After a long and exhausting search, former Dublin player Paul Bealin steps into Pat Roe's shoes.

Wicklow

SHC winners: Carnew were denied a second straight O'Donoghue Cup, their 18th in all, by Glenealy.

SFC winners: Rathnew sewed up a ninth title in 10 years against Shillelagh, who beat them last year, in mid-October.

SH management: It still remains to be seen if Willie Carley agrees to return to the helm after a frustrating 2005 season.

SF management: Hugh Kenny committed himself to a third year in charge as far back as last July.

ULSTER

Antrim

SHC winners: Cushendall held off the spirited challenge of Loughgiel Shamrocks in a thrilling county final last month.

SFC winners: Reigning champions St Gall's continued their dominance when they saw off newcomers Portglenone in the decider.

SH management: Dinny Cahill's successor, Jim McKiernan from the Patrick Sarsfields club, has to be ratified by the board.

SF management: Mickey Culbert's one-year term was extended for another season in last month.

Armagh

SHC winners: It took three attempts for Keady to finally shake off rivals Middleton in the final back in early September.

SFC winners: Crossmaglen claimed a 10th straight county title with the defeat of Dromintee.

SH management: Frankie Breen stepped down after two years recently and the county board has already identified his replacement, who will be announced shortly.

SF management: Joe Kernan starts another three-year term in 2006. Trainer John McCloskey and selector Paul Grimley will again complete the package.

Cavan

SHC winners: Holders Mullahoran St Joseph's maintained their grip on the title with a comfortable win over Ballymachugh back in the balmy month of July.

SFC winners: Cavan Gaels recorded a hat-trick of titles against unfortunate Mullahoran who they defeated at the last fence for the third consecutive year.

SH management: Awaiting appointment.

SF management: Martin McElkennon takes over from Eamon Coleman for the coming season.

Derry

SHC winners: Banagher won a first SHC title in 25 years with the defeat of Kevin Lynch's.

SFC winners: Bellaghy saw off Loup to earn their 21st championship ribbon.

SH management: Sean McCloskey will be overseeing Derry's seniors for a second year.

SF management: Ballymaguigan club man Paddy Crozier begins a three-year term at the helm.

Donegal

SHC winners: Not for the first time, Burt proved to be too good for the rest to handle in the north-west.

SFC winners: Naomh Conaill claimed a first ever county senior title at the expense of Brendan Devenney's St Eunan's.

SH management: Dan McDermott's term expired at the end of this year's championship. It remains to be seen if the Burt man stays on.

SF management: Brian McIver succeeds long-serving Brian McEniff on a three-year term.

Down

SHC winners: As expected, Ballygalget proved too strong for Ballycran in the final.

SFC winners: Benny Coulter's Mayobridge retained the cup by seeing off Bryansford in a thrilling decider.

SH management: John Crossey continues to guide the Mournemen though his selection team is being refreshed.

SF management: Having guided the U-21s to a first All-Ireland final since 1984, Paddy O'Rourke has been given one more opportunity to improve the fortunes of the senior team next season.

Fermanagh

SHC winners: Major changes this year where Lisbellaw's 14-year reign as kingpins came to an end at the hands of Lisnaskea Emmetts.

SFC winners: Teemore Shamrocks finished top of the tree for the 21st time thanks to two injury-time points against Newtownbutler.

SH management: Donal McShay took charge last term but a search is on for a new man.

SF management: Charlie Mulgrew will begin the last year of a three-year term hoping it mirrors his first year in charge and not his second.

Monaghan

SHC winners: Castleblayney again ruled the roost after swaggering past Carrickmacross in the final.

SFC winners: Latton gave champions Magheracloone something of a footballing lesson in the second-half of the final.

SH management: Owen Connell returns for a second year.

SF management: Seamus McEneaney was returned unopposed for a second year in September after an encouraging first year in charge in 2005.

Tyrone

SHC winners: Dungannon overcame reigning champions Carrickmore to take the honours in August.

SFC winners: Reigning champions Carrickmore edged out surprise guys Omagh by the most slender of margins.

SH management: County officials will appoint a manager for 2006 before Christmas. Sean Kerr took the reigns last season.

SF management: Mickey Harte was unsurprisingly re-appointed for another three-year term in the wake of the All-Ireland victory.

MUNSTER

Clare

SHC winners: Clarecastle defeated Wolfe Tones by two points in the final on a dog day afternoon in Cusack Park.

SFC winners: St Senan's saw off reigning champions Kilmurray- Ibrickane in the decider.

SH management: Anthony Daly and his fellow selectors were returned en bloc to guide the senior hurlers next season.

SF management: John Kennedy is replaced by joint managers Donie Buckley of Kerry and Galway native Michael Brennan.

Cork

SHC winners: Newtownshandrum were crowned champions for the third time this decade.

SFC winners: Nemo Rangers added another bauble to their ever-growing collection.

SH management: John Allen and his selectors have been returned en bloc.

SF management: Billy Morgan and his selection team were ratified for another year at a meeting of the county board last night.

Kerry

SHC winners: Lixnaw finished top of the pile by defeating Abbeydorney after a replay.

SFC winners: South Kerry completed back-to-back titles by defeating Dr Crokes in the decider two weeks ago.

SH management: Jerry Molyneaux starts the second year of a two-year term.

SF management: Jack O'Connor and his fellow selectors have been returned for one more season.

Limerick

SHC winners: Garryspillane ended a long and agonising wait by defeating Kilmallock in the final.

SFC winners: Monaleen defeated St Kieran's in the final.

SH management: Joe McKenna is manager, joined by Liam Linehan and Ger Cunningham as selectors.

SF management: Mickey Ned O'Sullivan replaces Liam Kearns as the new manager. Joe Redington and Mossy McCarthy are selectors.

Tipperary

SHC winners: Thurles-Sarsfields were crowned champions after a 31-year wait, defeating Drom Inch in the final.

SFC winners: Ardfinnan saw off Loughmore-Castleiney in the final.

SH management: Michael 'Babs' Keating is the new manager, with John Leahy and Tom Barry his selectors.

SF management: Seamus McCarthy and his fellow selectors have been returned en bloc.

Waterford

SHC winners: Ballygunner defeated De La Salle in the final.

SFC winners: Stradbally secured a record-breaking fifth straight title in defeating The Nire last Sunday.

SH management: Justin McCarthy continues for the coming season. It will be his fifth in charge.

SF management: John Kiely has been re-appointed for 2006.

CONNACHT

Galway

SHC winners: Portumna claimed the title with victory over Loughrea.

SFC winners: Salthill-Knocknacarra ended the year as county and provincial champions.

SH management: Conor Hayes has agreed to stay on for another campaign and will continue with the same management team around him.

SF management: Peter Ford takes control for his second season with the nine-time All-Ireland champions.

Leitrim

SHC winners: St Mary's.

SFC winners: Kiltubrid won the county championship before losing to St Brigid's of Roscommon in Connacht.

SH management: Kevin Clancy, Martin Cunniffe and Paddy Phelan will all share the responsibility of guiding the county side for the year ahead.

SF management: Outgoing team of Dessie Dolan, Pat Power and Declan Bohan are returned en bloc for the 2006 campaign.

Mayo

SHC winners: Keith Higgins' Ballyhaunis side again finished top of the tree.

SFC winners: Crossmolina had the bare minimum to spare against Shrule-Glencorrib at the start of October.

SH management: Awaiting successor to Gerry Spellman.

SF management: Mickey Moran starts a two-year term with a review due after the first 12 months. John Morrison makes the journey with him from Derry.

Roscommon

SHC winners: Four Roads again collected the silverware.

SFC winners: St Brigid's reached the line first before losing out in the Connacht final.

SH management: Padraig Cunningham is returned for another term as manager.

SF management: John Maughan jumps over the border from Mayo to take the reigns.

Sligo

SHC winners: Calry-St Joseph's won their first title.

SFC winners: Collera-Strandhill celebrated their first title in 97 years this year.

SH management: Micky Galvin starts his third year in charge.

SF management: Dom Corrigan is still at the helm.