Already counting down to next year

IT might seem a bit sacrilegious, perhaps, in the week of the All-Ireland senior football final, but even as the fans of Kerry and Tyrone countdown to Sunday, I’m already looking forward to next year’s inter-county hurling fare.

Sunday’s last-gasp U21 win for Galway over Kilkenny closed the book on this year’s championships, but it also left us with so much to which we can look forward.

Some of the bigger questions: can Cork keep it going, add another bit of three-in-a-row history? Can Kilkenny re-group after a championship season that ended empty-handed for them for the first time in years? Will defeat in this year’s All-Ireland senior final set Galway back, adversely affect their always-fragile confidence, or will it spur them on?

That win last Sunday, and the cool manner in which it was achieved should certainly be a huge boost.

What about Clare? Was their big win over Waterford, then Wexford, their so-near/so-far heartbreaker against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final, a true reflection of their potential or the last kick of an ageing champion?

What of Limerick, will they continue their recovery under new manager Joe McKenna?

Has this Waterford side lost its chance, gone over the hill? What of Tipperary, sleeping giants or simply not good enough?

Are Wexford forever going to implode, self-destruct? Are Offaly really as bad as they looked in the loss to Kilkenny in Leinster or are they capable of tripping up one of the big boys?

And a sleeper; will promoted Westmeath confirm that the Christy Ring Cup is indeed a worthwhile exercise and make an impression among the lesser lights?

Questions, lots of questions, and let’s take them in order.

Cork. Yes, they can keep it going, almost certainly will. There isn’t a more professional outfit in hurling, there will be no slippage tolerated, and that three-in-a-row is an even bigger motivation than just retaining the title. They MUST find a couple of starting forwards; standing still won’t cut the mustard next year.

Kilkenny. Yes again, the Cats are like the Rebels, like the proverbial mushroom, can come overnight. Pipped in this year’s U21 decider, they won the previous two. Talent isn’t the problem in Kilkenny, it’s pace, getting up to speed, to match Cork and Galway. It can be done.

THE FEEDBACK coming from the Galway camp after the All-Ireland defeat could be interpreted in two ways. Positive, in that they weren’t letting it get them too far down; negative, in that perhaps it didn’t hurt enough. Hopefully, the balance is right; if it is, Galway will certainly come back stronger.

The likes of Eugene and Diarmuid Cloonan, Fergal and Cathal Moore, Ollie Fahy, proven championship campaigners, wouldn’t go astray, but only if the harmony of the whole package, players and management, isn’t disrupted. A meal of humble pie, taken for the sake of Galway hurling, would do wonders.

Clare. I like this side, I like what Anthony Daly is doing with them, I believe it should stay intact, all the old warriors, Brian Lohan especially, staying on for another tilt at glory. The fluke results over the last two years were the heavy losses, not the wins.

Limerick. The boys in green are coming, and coming, and coming. They have the pace needed now at this level, they have the power, they have the hurling; the belief is growing. Keep an eye on them.

Waterford. I don’t know, I just don’t know. Tony Browne and Ken McGrath are two of the finest hurlers you will ever see, John Mullane a superb finisher, but these three are not the face of Waterford hurling. It’s Paul Flynn. On his day, the guy’s a hurling genius. On his day. Trouble is, Paul, and by extension, Waterford, doesn’t have enough of those days.

Tipperary. Ken Hogan, one of the true gentlemen of hurling, is gone, but perhaps a hurling gentleman is wrong for Tipperary. Now, if only Ger Loughnane could be persuaded...

Wexford, Offaly, Laois, Dublin? The only way should be up, but you never know. Westmeath, who looked really good in the Christy Ring final, could yet pip one of these, force them down. The relegation battle has added a new dimension to the hurling championship, and for all the pain it will bring to one unfortunate county, a welcome one at that.

Oh yes, a lot to look forward to, for hurling fans, football final or not. Roll on 2006.