Last year was a great time for us Antrim fans; a win against Donegal in Ballybofey, beating Cavan in Clones for a shot at Tyrone in the Ulster Final. Most of us hadn’t seen success like it-and it was great! Although beaten by Tyrone we were still happy at the limited success and hopeful that Baker and his team would bring us further this year.

 Ok, we got Tyrone in the first round of this year’s championship-but it was in Casement. We had seen our lads stroll through division 3, and what about St.Gall’s winning the all-Ireland on St.Patrick’s day. This was a new era for Antrim Gaels and we were going to enjoy every minute of it. Roll on the 23^rd May!

 Every year we scan the papers for positive articles from the ‘experts’ and we are usually referred to as ‘also ran’s’ but it never deterred us from travelling to other venues throughout Ulster. In fact part of the craic was going away and making a day of it. Although beaten on most of the occasions on the road we were still wearing our geansaí with pride.

 This year was going to be different. The media took a greater interest in the build up, with more interviews with the players and staff. We devoured it all and this led to even more optimism that we could beat the mighty Tyrone with their all stars. We hoped the rumours of a rift in their camp were true and that Cavanagh and O’Neill may not be playing.

 There may not have been the same amount of flags flying as there was prior to the Ulster final but this didn’t mean the support wasn’t there. Apprehension was in the air coupled with quiet optimism and so as the big day got closer all the talk was about team selection.

 I was in Coalisland on the Wednesday (wearing my Antrim geansaí!) and as soon as I was spotted I started getting a ribbing about Tyrone going to turn us over.  Of course I had to tell them about our great forward line and how they were going to give their backs a headache! They countered this with the names of all-Ireland winners and all those household names we have to come admire-but not necessarily like! On my way home to Belfast I was starting to have doubts about Sunday.

 On Sunday morning I was up texting to see who had the tickets but most of us were out of luck and so decided to meet at our usual spot on the hill facing the stand. The weather forecast was for a sunny day so the geansaí and shorts were ironed, a good (and not too healthy!) breakfast was eaten-then down the road to Casement.

The atmosphere and banter was great between the fans outside the clubs and pubs and this led to a carnival atmosphere.

 So after a few pints it was inside to watch the second half of the minor match. The crowd was getting bigger and louder but unfortunately for our lads it didn’t help as they were beaten by a very good Tyrone team.

 The senior teams ran on to the pitch to great cheers from the thousands packed into the ground. The parade, the anthem then the throw-in and it was game on. Tyrone got off to a great start and they kept the pressure on for the rest of the first half. We were really concerned this could be a rout and we all had different opinions as to who should come on as substitute.

 Antrim came out in second half a different team and turned a nine point lead into just three. It was then we really believed the lads would go on to win, but Tyrone showed all their experience and ended up winning by four points.

 We headed into the club where we met some of the players who were obviously downbeat but as we told them there are the qualifiers and anything can happen. So roll on the next match when we go through it all again-but hopefully with a different result!

in 2004. Now in its 6 year, the Camp offers children the chance to learn more about the Irish language, history, culture and sport – ideals that Cormac firmly believed in. Aimed at children from the ages of 9 to 14, the camp is made up of
Irish language lessons in the mornings with sporting activities in the afternoon.

Henry Shefflin, Brendan McAnallen,Anthony Rogan

Set up in Cormac’s native town land of the Brantry, Co Tyrone, the Camp then extended to Castlewellan Co Down last year and this year sees the camp move into Co Derry and Co Antrim. For further information, or to download an
application for your children, visit: www.campachormaic.com

DON’T read too much into Derry’s performances over the first few months of the new football season. Everyone knows that when it comes to Championship football, things are a whole lot different. Results matter from this point on and this is the time to get it right.

Relegation from the top flight might not have been what Damian Cassidy had in mind when it he brought his panel together for the new season, but teams are measured on how they deal with situations they never thought possible, and Damian Cassidy’s team will be measured on how they take to this year’s Championship.

So we are playing Division Two football next season, but so what. Looking back on it, Derry could have and probably should have stayed in Division One this year.

Cassidy knows that and the players know that. Perhaps too much was expected of them when they so easily brushed aside Tyrone on the opening weekend of the league. Against Dublin they were ahead at half-time but fell away during the second thirty, but let’s not forget, it’s not easy playing Dublin in their own backyard.

Then there was the All-Ireland and league champions Kerry down in Tralee, followed by a home defeat to Mayo and another poor performance away to Monaghan.

They were unlucky not to beat Cork at home, but to come away from Galway with victory on the last day of the league, knowing that relegation is almost certain, is no mean feat.

This year’s league is done and dusted, there’s no point in crying over spilled milk, now is the time to look to the summer months and what they might hold.

When Cassidy first took over the county side, he said it was about the summertime and championship football, about getting Derry back into an Ulster final and winning it, for the first time in 12 years.

Granted, as we look ahead to the opening Anglo-Celt clash with Armagh on May 16 the statistics don’t paint a pretty picture. Derry are without an Ulster title since 1998 while Armagh have collected seven in that period.

The last time a Derry captain got his hands on the trophy was back in 1998.

Since then, there has been two All-Ireland semi-final appearances and one quarter-final for Derry thanks to the ‘back door’ system, as well as two Division One league titles including back-to-back league final appearances in the past two years.

It’s success, ‘of a sort’, but it’s the lack of an Ulster Final appearance since 2000, when they lost to Armagh by a solitary point, which has been most concerning for Cassidy.

The league success was welcome but it has clearly been of secondary importance to the Derry coach and this year could be Derry’s best chance to book a place in a first Ulster final since 2000.

If there’s one provincial championship that’s getting harder and harder to predict each year it’s the Ulster one.

No-one could have foreseen Antrim’s almost fairytale rise last year, and while Armagh and Tyrone have dominated proceedings since the turn of the century, almost any of the nine counties in the province could beat the other on their day, Derry included.

Derry have newly promoted Division Two champions Armagh to contend with at home in Celtic Park on Sunday, May 16. The Orchard county are not going to be easy opposition and going on their league run, you’d think they would have to come out on top, but the incentive is there for Damian Cassidy and Derry.

Derry haven’t got past the semi-final stage in the last two years – they won their opening games, beating Donegal in 2008 and Monaghan in 2009 in the quarter-finals, before succumbing to Fermanagh and Tyrone respectively in the last four. But with Tyrone in the other half of the draw, Monaghan await in the quarter-final, with a possible semi-final against the winners of Cavan and Fermanagh.

The opportunity is there, Derry just have to put recent results to one side and go out and grab it.

Division One

GALWAY claimed the Allianz GAA National Hurling League title for the first time since 2004 with a 2-22 to 1-17 win over Cork.

Joe Canning was in blistering form for the Westerners as he bagged 1-5 from play but this was a scintillating attacking display from Galway, who could also afford the luxury of 17 wides.

Galway had a dream start when Damien Hayes netted a brilliant solo goal at the Killinan End with just 75 seconds on the watch after cutting in along the right touchline and at half-time, the winners led by 2-12 to 1-11.
The best Cork could do in the second half was cut the gap back to four points with half an hour remaining but this was Galway’s day and Canning called the tune as the scores flowed freely.

Galway will hope to replicate this form against Wexford in the Leinster SHC quarter-final on May 29.

Galway manager John McIntyre

“We’re going to savour the moment and I’m not going to trivialise the league by starting to talk about the championship. It was an important win for Galway and it was their first national silverware in six years so all-in-all, it’s a good day’s work.”

“I was very pleased with the performance and if you get a performance in a final you always give yourself a chance of winning. I’m told it’s Galway’s first every victory over Cork at senior level in a national final. I’ll take that.”

Cork manager Denis Walsh

“This will have focused the minds ahead of the Tipperary game. We know where we stand, we know we’re moving well enough and we’ve a lot of players. We all have to get back to the drawing board”

”We’ve learned that we need to increase the intensity, but everyone would expect that from the league to the championship. We’ll take a few days off to regroup. But I’m very happy with the players, with the effort they put in and they’re in good fettle.”

DIVISION TWO

WEXFORD claimed promotion back to Division One with a 1-16 to 2-09 win over Clare.

Clare scored their first goal in first half stoppage time when Colin Ryan ghosted behind the Wexford cover and finished past Noel Carton.

But Lyng converted a crucial free moments later to ensure that Wexford trailed by just a single point at half-time, 0-6 to 1-4.

The game took another twist in Clare’s favour in the 49th minute when the Banner County scored their second goal.

That score handed Clare a two-point lead, 2-6 to 0-10, but Wexford responded with four unanswered points to assume control again.

A pair of Colin Ryan frees for Clare tied the game at 2-8 to 0-14 before Lyng cut over a beautiful sideline cut from the New stand side of Semple Stadium.

Jonathan Clancy equalised for Clare but after Eoin Quigley sent Wexford a point clear again, veteran forward Rory Jacob scored the killer goal in stoppage time, pouncing on a mistake by Clare goalkeeper Philip Brennan to make the game safe.

Wexford manager Colm Bonnar

”Division 1 is where we should be as we’re a proud hurling county, but I still think Clare are too good to be back in Division 2. They can’t develop hurling there and the GAA should be promoting hurling rather than demoting teams.”

“We were hit by two sucker punches for goals, but we responded very well and came back. This team has great character, though, and we knew they didn’t want to spend another year in Division 2.”

Clare manager Ger O’Loughlin

“We are back in Division 2 and certainly we’re not looking forward to trying to get out of it again next year.”

“I’d love if somebody came up with a solution and brought us back to Division 1 because I think we would hold our own. Trying to rebuild a team, I think we would rebuild much faster there.”

In hurling,the pack are gaining on Brian Cody’s all conquering Killkenny side-but they are still the side to beat in the race for Liam.
They could be history makers again on the first Sunday in September if they can collect five All-Ireland titles in a row.
Tipperary are their nearest challengers, with Cork an outside bet this year while Galway have the talent but have yet to show real title credentials.
The race for Sam is wide open.
Champions Kerry have lost key players in key areas and will do well to retain the title.
They are still marginal favourites but Cork are the form team and the best footballers in the country at the minute.
That doesn’t mean they are guaranteed any silverware and they have to be more ruthless this time around.
Tyrone can’t be overlooked while Down and Armagh in Ulster have shown signs of reinvention.
Don’t forget the mighty Dublin or a Joe Kernan led Galway.
All-in-all, 2010 is going to be a real GAA roller-coaster ride

ULSTER

ANTRIM

A team ‘on form’going into the Ulster Championship. That is a strange statement to stick to the Saffrons but they are a whole new outfit under Liam Bradley.  Promotion in the League will only help matters and the small story of an All-Ireland club title for St Galls, can’t be underestimated.

KEY MAN: Kevin Niblock

VERDICT: Ulster Semi-final.

HURLING: An Ulster title is a given, but whether they can finally live up to their promise in the Leinster Championship will define their season – Offaly on May 30th will tell a tale.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Eastenders’ – There is always a soap opera going on in Antrim.

ARMAGH

A DOWN man could be the Orchard County’s saviour. Paddy O’Rourke has steered Armagh well in the league – and despite the drumming by his native county – Armagh look like genuine contenders. A tough start to their Ulster campaign against Derry, might be off-set with a decent run through the back-door.

KEY MAN:  Aaron Kernan

VERDICT: All-Ireland quarter-finals – through the back door.

HURLING:  The Nicky Rackard Cup is the aim again for the Orchard hurlers, with an opener against Fingal in June. Donegal is first though, in a tough Ulster Championship Round 1.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Heroes’ – enough said.

CAVAN

TOMMY Carr has learnt something from his first year in charge. His new look outfit is now built around mobile, physical players – most of which are from DCU’s famed GAA Academy. The Sigerson Cup winners contribute handsomely to the Breffni forward line.

KEY MAN: Cian Mackey

VERDICT: A good qualifiers run.

HURLING: Omagh is where they start their hurling campaign against Tyrone, a Round 2 clash against Armagh or Donegal awaits the winners. Then attentions turn to a race for Croker through the Lord Meagher Cup.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Top Gear’ – Tommy Carr is doing okay.

DERRY

A SINKING ship in the league must be turned around before Armagh make a visit in the heat of the Championship. Damien Cassidy has the players, but do they have the desire to make an impact? A good run in Ulster is not out of the question, but the qualifier route maybe the best chance of salvation this summer.

KEY MAN: Paddy Bradley

VERDICT: Cassidy will feel the heat this summer.

HURLING: A tough Christy Ring assignment against an improving Westmeath will shape their 2010 season. In Ulster, a semi-final place is almost assured, while a spot in the final would be more progress.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Bullseye’ – Derry is used to Jim Bowen’s BFH – Bus Fare Home.

DONEGAL

JOHN Joe Doherty has a plan and he likes to stick to it. It revolves around the Young Player of the Year Micheal Murphy and it worked during the league.  Whether it can be sustained during the heat of Championship is another thing.

KEY MAN: Micheal Murphy

VERDICT: Qualifer exit.

HURLING: The Ulster Championship offers little hope, but Longford in the Lord Meagher Cup Round 1 could lead to an easier route to a medal this summer.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Two pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’

DOWN

DEFENSIVE and hard to beat, Down have the makings of genuine challengers. They will do well in Ulster, but may find the bigger stage in Croke Park one step too far in James McCartan’s first season. Dan Gordon’s fitness and attitude could decide things, but a rejuvenated Bennie Coulter is a good sign for the Mourne faithful.

KEY MAN – Martin Clarke

VERDICT – Ulster Champs

HURLING: A Christy Ring opener against a rejuvenated Kerry will be a tough test, especially with another Ulster struggle against Antrim also on the cards this summer.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Off the Rails’ – will Dan Gordon’s head be in the game?

FERMANAGH

THINGS are going from bad to worse for the Erne men. Division Four football next season won’t help, but Malachy O’Rourke must steady the ship before then. A Championship opener against Cavan will be a major test for a county with no confidence. They need their big players back and quick.

KEY MAN – Rory Gallagher

VERDICT – A short summer.

HURLING: A trip to Warwickshire is on the cards with the Erne hurlers drawing them in the first round of the Lord Meagher Cup, Before that a swift Ulster Championship exit could also be calling.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Countdown’ – the time is ticking for an Ulster title.

MONAGHAN

A LAST hurrah for McEnaney and company as they plan one more epic season. New blood has emerged but the likes of Finlay, Woods and Clerkin will carry the can in the Ulster Championship. They will be hungry, attacking and intense – expect fireworks.

KEY MAN: Conor McManus

VERDICT: Another Ulster title disappointment.

HURLING: Fermanagh are up first in the Ulster Hurling Championship. But the Farney hurlers will also have eyes on a run on their Nicky Rackard face-off with Roscommon.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘A Place in the Sun’ – if they clinch the Ulster Football title.

20 March 2010; Armagh captain Stephen McDonnell, left, and Down captain Ambrose Rodgers, right, watch as referee Martin Sludden tosses the coin. Allianz National Football League, Down v Armagh, Division 2, Round 5, Pairc Esler, Newry, Co. Down.

TYRONE

MICKEY Harte is still working his magic with the Red Hands. A valiant win over Kerry in the league seems to put a spring in their step. Harte could just be embarking on a whole new era of Tyrone footballers, with the likes of Colm Cavanagh, Kyle Coney and Raymond Mulgrew stepping up to the plate. They will be there or there abouts in Croke Park this September, but whether they have the fully fit services of Dooher, McGuigan and O’Neill to supplement the new talent could decide the fate of Sam.

KEY MAN: Brian Dooher

VERDICT: All-Ireland semi-final

HURLING: An Ulster Championship quarter-final clash with Down is not out of the question, and any good showing there would set them up nicely for a crack at Louth in the Nicky Rackard Cup.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Grand Designs’ – Harte is looking to build another winning team.

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LEINSTER

DUBLIN

A new defensive attitude will make them harder to beat and a Leinster title will be theirs again this year, but that only papers over the cracks.  Come the heat of battle against the Munster winners in a packed Croke Park, Dublin will probably revert back to their normal state.

KEY MAN: Bernard Brogan

VERDICT: All-Ireland wash-outs.

HURLING: Anthony Daly might have thought this was the year to kick-on, but expect another hard tussle with Shane Ryan and co. this season.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘That 70’s show’ – Oh for the days of winning Sky Blue footballers.

LAOIS

KEY MAN – MJ Tierney

VERDICT – Leinster humiliation

IF WE WERE A TV SHOW: ‘OZ ‘– because they can’t go a season without one

of their players going or being tempted to go Down Under.

WESTMEATH

KEY MAN: Denise Glennon

VERDICT:  Leinster football first round exit

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: Marooned – they already starred in a TV show, it went on air in 2004.

OFFALY

KEY MAN – Niall McNamee, Pascal Kellaghan, Brian Carroll (hurling)

VERDICT – Better than last year.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Muriel’s wedding’    – Always the bridesmaid, never the Leinster bride (since 1997).

LONGFORD

KEY MAN: Paul Barden

VERDICT : A tough first game against Louth.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Please sir’- they have the manners, but not the football.

CARLOW

KEY MAN: Derek Hayden

VERDICT:  A Leinster semi-final spot against Kildare is possible.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW:  ’Survivors’ – always hanging on in there.

KILDARE

KIERAN McGeeney is having a mixed season. Indisclipine and then injuries blighted the Lilywhites’ National League, but alongside Aidan O’Rourke they can turn it around and have the players to make an impact.

KEY MAN: Dermot Earley

VERDICT: A Leinster final appearance could be the height of it.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW:  ’Casualty’ – walking wounded at the minute.

KILKENNY

UNSTOPPABLE, is how Brian Cody would like them to be seen, but a patchy league has raised some eyebrows.  It’s doubtful though, if that will have any bearing come September. A conveyor belt of talent is forever moving for the Cats.

KEY MAN: Eddie Brennan

VERDICT: Top Cats again.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Top Cat’

LOUTH

KEY MAN: Paddy Keenan.

VERDICT: Emerging Leinster force.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Smallville’ – for the Wee County.

MEATH

A big threat to Dublin this season in the Leinster Football Championship. They were flattered last season with an All-Ireland semi-final place and they won’t repeat it.

KEY MAN: Stephen Bray

VERDICT: All-Ireland quarter-final

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘The Royal Family.’

WEXFORD

KEY MAN: A fit Mattie Forde

VERDICT: Improvement on last season.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW:  ’Crossroads’ – One hit season.

WICKLOW

KEY MAN: Mick O’Dwyer

VERDICT: Another impressive Football qualifiers run.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘The Odd Couple’ – Micko and Wicklow

11 April 2010; A general view of Fitzgerald Stadium during the game. Allianz GAA Football National League Division 1, Round 7, Kerry v Monaghan, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

MUNSTER

TIPPERARY

THE biggest threat to Kilkenny’s hurling crown will come from Liam Sheedy’s men. They are the up and coming team and should have a huge bearing on the Liam McCarthy Cup race. John Evans has done wonders with the footballers and an U-21 Munster football title is already a huge deal. Expect them to rattle a big team in Munster and through the back door.

KEY MAN: Barry Grogan (Football)/Eoin Kelly (Hurling)

VERDICT: All-Ireland hurling threat/ Munster football title aspirations.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Some Mothers Do Ave Em’ – Tipp fans should thank Mother Kelly for having Eoin and Paul.

WATERFORD

DAVY Fitz is turning them into a team with strength and resolve, so expect another rollercoaster Deise season. The footballers will be less entertaining.

KEY MAN: Eoin Kelly

VERDICT: All-Ireland hurling semi-final

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Any Dream will Do’ – Always dreaming of silverware

KERRY

LOSING big players in the off-season wasn’t the best preparation, but they have rallied somewhat and once they have a settled team through the Munster Championship, they will be a danger again at the business end of things. Replacing Darragh O’Shea and Tommy Walsh will be massive.

KEY MAN: The Gooch.

VERDICT: Will be in one of the teams to beat – again

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘The Front Line’ – the team to catch.

CORK

POWER, pace and now the hurt from an All-Ireland football loss will be massive incentive on Leeside to do some Football damage this season. For the hurlers, it is a pre-season for the first time in a while and they showed well in the league.

KEY MAN: John Gardiner (hurling)/ Pearce O’Neill (Football)

VERDICT: It could be double honours on Leeside come September

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Double Trouble’ – if they can lift Liam and Sam

CLARE

KEY MAN:  Darach Honan (Hurling)

VERDICT: Watch for the footballers to go further than the hurlers.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Birds of Prey’ – Ger Sparrow O’Loughlin

LIMERICK

IT could be a long summer in Limerick. Expect the footballers to get more and more support as the season wears on. Unless there is a major turn-around, Justin McCarthy will suffer some serious beatings in the heat of the hurling Championship.

KEY MAN: John Galvin (Football)/ Any hurler who turns out for Justin

VERDICT: Look away now.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘War and Peace’

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CONNACHT

GALWAY

JOE Kernan has his hands full in the West, but they were showing signs of life towards the back end of the National League. They will be hard working and hard to beat, but must get Micheal Meehan and Padaric Joyce fit to stand any hope come August time. A Connacht title could be on the cards, but more likely a day out in Croke Park with a good performance. A Provinicial title for the hurlers would do nicely as well.

VERDICT: Rattle someone in Croke Park

KEY MAN: Michael Meehan (Football)/Joe Canning (Hurling)

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Orange County’ – Joe is bringing Armagh tactics with him.

MAYO

GENUINE contenders for the Football title.  A good system, with good players will always go far. It is just a matter of Mayo becoming mentally strong enough to get over the Sam Maguire line.

KEY MAN: Aiden O’Shea

VERDICT: All-Ireland finalists.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Gardiner’s World’ – the flying defeats life.

NEW YORK

KEY MAN :  Mark Dobbin

VERDICT – Big Joe will make hay in New York in May.

FAVOURTIE TV SHOW: ‘Sex and the City’ – It’s the best thing ever to come out of the big apple.

LONDON

KEY MAN: Kevin McMenamin

VERDICT – Back to the drawing board.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘London’s Burning’  - if they win a match.

ROSCOMMON

KEY MAN: Donie Shine

VERDICT: A Connacht Final is on the cards.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Teens in the Wild’ – any of those All-Ireland winning minors about ?

SLIGO

KEY MAN: Eamonn O’Hara

VERDICT: An unknown quantity.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW:  ‘The Waltons’ – they never change.

LEITRIM

KEY MAN:  Michael Foley

VERDICT: An improvement in Connacht expected.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: ‘Chewin the fat’- Mickey and John style.

GAA President Christy Cooney officially re-opened the GAA Museum and welcomed the many changes and developments made to the museum. Also present were GAA stars, Aisake Ó hAilpin, Sean Cavanagh and Kieran Donaghy.

The GAA president said of the new opening “The refurbishment of the GAA Museum is a most welcome development and will no doubt help improve what is already a superb visitor experience.

I am confident that the work recently undertaken will further enhance a leading destination on Dublin’s tourist trail. I acknowledge the contribution of the Museum team in this work to date and wish them every best wish in the future success of what is a most important historical focal point for the Association as a whole in the months and years ahead”

The upgrade of the GAA Museum was completed earlier this month on April 9th, following a substantial €1million investment by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and grant aid from Fáilte Ireland.

Visitors can now enjoy many new and innovative features when visiting the GAA Museum. One such addition is a distinctive club-focused wall at the main entrance; Falla na gClub, which welcomes all visitors to the Museum with an outstanding display of every GAA Club’s logo. Further renovations to the GAA Museum include a specially commissioned central display unit for the original Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy trophies which forms the centre piece of the museum.

By Martin Crummy

As Walsh Cup’s go, this was a little more interesting for the Dublin hurlers than expected and that was because of one man, with the number 11 on his back.

THE first thing you notice about Eliza Downey is that she loves to talk.

The next thing you notice is her passion and her drive to succeed – it’s infectious.
I’ve met Eliza a few times now, and played against her once or twice too on the Gaelic pitch, and each time I come away with the thought, ‘Wow, I wonder if I could do that too?’
Eliza plays Ladies Gaelic Football for Down and she also plays rugby for Ireland.

She captained Down Ladies in 2009 to Division Two glory.  She has represented Ulster in the Ladies Gaelic Inter-provincials, won two Dowd Cup and one O’Connor Cup with UUJ, Ulster Colleges All-Stars, a Sunday Life Merit Award and a Ladies Gaelic All-Star nomination in 2008.

She also played netball for the Northern Ireland Under-17s and basketball for the Ulster Under-19s, winning All-Ireland medals in junior athletics and achieving green belt status in judo.
And if that wasn’t enough, the Annaclone player is now finding her feet at international level with the Ireland rugby squad.
The 23-year-old graduate in Sports Studies was in her first year at the Poly when she thought she’d give rugby a go.  She knew the ins and outs of the game having watched her brother and her father play for Banbridge RFC, but it was in fact a chance opportunity that saw her go down the rugby road, when she decided to help a friend out by playing in a university sevens tournament.

When Eliza eventually joined the club at UUJ she quickly made an impression after playing a few Varsity games and at the Carrick 10s, and was invited to trial for the Ulster squad.
She joined Belfast club Cooke ladies, established herself in the Ulster squad and was part of the Irish Vixen Sevens rugby team that took part in the Dubai Sevens.
In the space of a few short years, Eliza has put herself firmly on the rugby radar, earning her first Ireland cap when she came on as a replacement in the victory over Italy in the Women’s Six Nations Championship at the beginning of February.

“It will be a moment in my life that I will always remember,” said Eliza.

“The lead up to the match and getting my first cap was an amazing experience that I got to share with my friends and family that travelled down.

“It’s an absolute dream come true to get a call up to represent my country, but I’m also aware that I am on a steep learning curve and hope the experience as a whole will enhance me as a player.”
A steep learning curve it is.  After being named in the squad to play against Italy, she was then overlooked the following week for the defeat away to France.

“Obviously, when you commit a lot of your time and effort into something it is disappointing not to be given a chance to prove yourself, but it’s important to channel the disappointment into a positive thing,” she said.

“It acts as a motivator for me for the next opportunity I get, whether that’s in training or selection for another game.  It’s important for me to keep focused and concentrate on progressing as a player.”
She has made the transition from Ladies Gaelic football to Women’s rugby with relative ease, and has even retained her ‘full back’ position, although they do mean quite the opposite in both codes.

The two sports have many transferable skills, and one has complimented the other for Eliza, improving her all-round game.

The commitment with Ireland has however meant that her Gaelic Football career has been set to one side, in the short term at least.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to turn my back on Gaelic.  I’ve been  playing for the last 14 years and it is very much a part of my life and how I’ve been brought up, but at the moment I am giving my commitment to rugby and seeing how far I can progress as a player.  Sometimes you are given opportunities in life and you just have to take them,” she said.

“To be honest, it will be very difficult [to balance both sports in 2010] as I am not available to really play a proactive role in our league campaign.  Ideally I would love to give full commitment after that for training and matches, but that will really be at  the management’s discretion.”

And looking ahead to the summer, Eliza’s Championship ambitions are likely to be hampered by Ireland’s training preparations for the World Cup which gets underway in England in August.
She added: “I want to just keep playing, training and hitting hard and looking forward to continually learning.  Nobody knows what’s around the corner, so I’m just going to enjoy every minute of it.”
And of course Eliza will be keeping a close eye on how her county team- mates are doing.  She sees 2010 as a year for new players to step up and with the experienced hands, take the county forward.

“I think this year the Division Two league the girls are playing in is highly competitive.  With a number of girls not returning, there are quite a few inexperienced girls on the Down panel, but this is their time to now step up,” she said.

“Again it will be about taking every match as it comes but the commitment, determination and skill of the players on the squad this year will hopefully shine through in each of their games.”
FIVE MINUTES WITH ELIZA

DOB: 24/04/1986
POSITION GAELIC & RUGBY: Full Back – Gaelic

Full Back/Winger – Rugby
CLUB GAELIC & RUGBY: Annaclone – Gaelic
Cooke RFC – Rugby
LEFT OR RIGHT HANDED/FOOTED: Right
WHERE WERE YOU BORN: Daisy Hill, Hospital, Newry
WHERE DO YOU LIVE:  Good old Rathfriland on the Hill
FAVOURITE FOOD: Toast and Tea / Italian
FAVOURITE DRINK: Tea / Moscow Muel
FAVOURITE SPORTSPERSON: I was a big Linford Christie fan when I was young.
FAVOURITE MOVIE: Beaches
SCARED OF: Anything ever happening to family/friends
MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION ON & OFF FIELD: Lifting Div 2 All Ireland
league trophy for Down and two months travelling around Europe
BEST WAY TO RELAX: A big long walk or bath, dvds, pamper myself. Done
HOW DO YOU PREPARE BEFORE A GAME: Listen to a little music, usually
don’t talk too much, go through the routine, sort the hair out, get the Vicks and Deep Heat on and maybe a quick rub from the physio.

At the start of the year, Derry manager Damian Cassidy pulled Gerard O’Kane to one side and mooted the possibility of handing the county captaincy to the young Glenullin man.

Cassidy told Gerard to go away and think about it for a while, but before the conversation between the two men had even finished, the latter had his mind made up.
Taking on the captaincy of any team is undoubtedly a privilege, but it’s by no means easy either. Taking on the captaincy of Derry, a team with so many great players, but which is at times frustratingly inconsistent is a role some wouldn’t envy.
“I had no doubt in my mind I was going to accept it and felt it was something I was going to fully throw myself into,” said Gerard.
“Damian would not just throw that upon someone and would make sure that the individual felt they were happy with it, that’s why he left it with me, but having shown faith to ask me, I felt that I had the confidence to take it on.”

11 March 2007; Gerard, in action against Charlie Vernon, Armagh. NFL Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen

Clearly Cassidy, an All-Ireland medal winner in 1993, has faith in the young man who watched his idols lift the Sam Maguire in Croke Park almost two decades ago.
And with Gerard’s track record it’s no surprise. Since 2002 the defender has amassed an impressive collection of honours for club, county, college and university.
He captained Derry minors to All-Ireland glory in 2002 and just a few months later he led St Patrick’s College, Maghera to MacRory and Hogan success.
That led to a call up to the senior county squad in 2004 however, he had to wait until 2008 to taste his first success at senior inter-county football when the Oak Leafs claimed the National League title.
With Queens University he finally won the Sigerson Cup in 2007, after finishing runner-up the previous two years, as well as the Ryan Cup. And with his club Glenullin, 2007 also saw him collect the Derry Senior Football Championship and the Ulster Senior Club Football League.

Maybe Cassidy looked back on the 25-year-old’s achievements, and in particular his success with the teams he has captained, and thought O’Kane could be the key to unlocking the closed trophy cabinet, particularly the Championship one. It might well be that as a captain, Cassidy has that little bit of luck that every team needs to succeed.
“Yeah, I feel luck has a lot to do with it. But having been successful in other areas before carries no guarantees. For any team to win anything, they need a large slice of luck so hopefully I can carry that on through with me and it may reap the rewards at some point in the year,” he said

As an accountant, Gerard is well used to working with numbers, and while everyone else sees the odds as stacked against Derry, he prefers to see this current era as similar to the fallow period after the county won three successive Ulster titles in the seventies.
It doesn’t make it any less frustrating but armed with the statistics, Gerard lays it down in black and white.
“The most frustrating part is the lack of consistency that we have shown as a team,” he said.
“In the period from ‘05-’09 we have been beaten in five Ulster semi-finals by five different teams. It not like there is one team continually turning us over and from that point of view it has been very disappointing.
“One national league in seven seasons with no Ulster final appearance is pretty disappointing but since 1976 when Derry won the three in-a-row, they have only won three Ulster titles. Aside from the ’93 team, this era is similar to that one.”
O’Kane believes Derry can make the breakthrough but only if they manage to get over the mental barrier of failure – or success – in the Championship arena.
He added: “If success is measured by trophies then we are on a level par with all of the other counties in Ulster. We are consistently playing Division One football and in terms of Championship we have been to a few All-Ireland semi-finals and quarter-finals over the last eight or nine years.
“Only one team can win the All-Ireland and only three counties have won the last seven, but it is up to the rest of the counties to work that bit harder to break that stranglehold.

21 June 2009; Gerard in action against Sean Cavanagh, Tyrone.

“For us the National League is all about building a squad capable of playing championship football. It will not be until the last three or four league games that a team will start to take shape. That is by no way demeaning the league, but trying to balance out everything in its context.
“I want to raise the bar this year in terms of consistency and level of performance but I realise that will not only take serious hard work and commitment but a large slice of luck as well.”

Dick Clerkin bursts past Graham Geraghty, left, and Niall McLoughlin, Meath,NFLDivision 2 Final

Name: Dick Clerkin
Age: 28 ONLY!!!
Ht: 6ft 1in
Debut: NFL vs. Cavan, Breifne Park, 1999
Club: Currin
County: Monaghan
Position: Midfield
Honours: Railway Cup 2007, NFL Div 2 2005, Dr McKenna Cup 2003, Ryan Cup 2007 (DCU)

How is pre-season preparation going for Monaghan so far?
The McKenna cup was a success in terms of giving new players on the panel sufficient playing time and to see whether they can make the step-up, and some of them have certainly shown that to be the case. A few of our more experienced lads had injuries and took some time out to recover, therefore allowing the new lads to cut their teeth with a couple of competitive games each. The addition of Paul Grimley to the backroom team has certainly brought a new impetus to the training sessions. Marty is one of the best in the business and has had us in peak condition for the past three years so between both of them the training we have done so far this year is as intense and involved as I have ever experienced.

How has your own training been coming on after the winter break?
To be honest, aside from a few days off in between St Stephens’s day and New years I didn’t really get a ‘winter break’ this year. Our club scene didn’t finish until mid December and due to my involvement in a boxing fundraiser over Christmas I’ve been kept busy. Thankfully I have no major injury concerns at present (touch wood), so not getting a long break was not that big of an issue and I have been back training at full tilt since we started back.

What are your personal short and long term goals for the year?
My short-term goals at this time of year are the same as every year. Firstly get my fitness levels up to the required level and then get myself into the team for the national league. Following on from that, I aim to put in a consistent level of performance that justifies my selection come Championship time, its as simple as that. Competition for places looks like it will be more intense than ever this year so I can’t take anything for granted. If you look at any successful team the key factor behind their success is the competition for places within the panel and the knowledge that any dip in performance, no matter how long you have been on the scene, will leave you watching from the sidelines.
Further to that I would like to bring back the more creative/attacking element to my game. One of the biggest criticisms levelled against me in recent years, and is probably a fair enough assessment in ways, was that I played too defensively minded and this certainly plays out in the statistics when you look at my scoring record over the past few seasons. Considering that I started my days with Monaghan as a forward and used to regularly chip in with a point or two in games, I need to get back to contributing on the scoring/attacking front on a more regular basis. When I tell people that I used to take the frees for Monaghan back in 2005 they laugh at me, but having failed to score a point in any of the past 3 Championship seasons its hard to blame them!!

And what is Monaghan’s outlook for the year? Can Monaghan pull Ulster out of the bag?
Considering the calibre of teams in Ulster, being good enough to beat anyone on ‘your day’, as we arguably are, is not sufficient to win an Ulster title. What is needed is a level of consistency that the Tyrone’s and Armagh’s of this world have had over the past ten years. That is something we need to bring to our game if we are to have any notions of lifting the Anglo Celt come July. We have had bad luck with regard to draws over the past few years but when you put it in the context of getting to an Ulster Final, I would argue that this years draw is the best we have had for some time. Ulster aside I have no doubt that we can go further than Clones this summer. Look at Meath last year and Wexford the previous year, over the past few seasons we have been a better team than either of them and they both reached an All Ireland semi. So as far as this Monaghan team is concerned there is nothing we can’t achieve with a higher level of consistency and a bit of luck on our side.

Ulster Championship- A class action shot of Shane McDermott and Mark Murphy, Fermanagh, in action against Eoin Lennon and Dick Clerkin.

With Armagh or Derry being the first test for the team this year, are you optimistic about the game?
Well if you look at our record against both teams over recent years I would be very optimistic. Since 2007 we have played Derry 4 times in the championship and we have each won twice. With regard to Armagh we have played them twice in the league and once in the Championship and won on all three occasions. Combine that with the fact we will be playing at home, there is no reason why we shouldn’t have every confidence going into our first game. It will still take a huge effort, as whatever team comes out of Celtic Park with a victory will be full of confidence and have the benefit of having a match under their belts, so we will have to be ready for whoever comes our way.

There is no doubt that on your day you’re one of the best midfielder’s in the country, do the expectations set upon you by the media and the Monaghan faithful bear heavily on your shoulders?
It’s fair to say that as Monaghan’s stock has risen over the past year, so has the expectations of everyone involved both inside and outside the county. With such expectation your performances are going to be analysed and criticised to a greater extent than what we would have been used to. I would like to think the pressure of big games and the expectations from both media and supporters does not have that much of an influence on my performance. Whether it’s praise or criticism, I take everything on board and use each as either confidence building or motivating tools to build on my performances from one game/season to the next. I suppose like anything you have to learn to take the rough with the smooth as the one thing I was quick to learn in football is that ‘it is a very short distance between a pat on the back and a kick in the arse’!!

How do you cope with the inter-county pressure? (Have you any preparation or traditions that you carry out?)
To be honest I have tried numerous routines over the past few years to get me ready for big games but I can’t honestly say that one has worked better than others. That being said I would always follow the professional advice about nutrition and hydration and over the past few years I have tried to work more on my mental preparation using various recommended techniques. Usually on the Saturday before Championship matches I would head away for the day with my girlfriend to try and take my mind off the match as best I can. On match days I generally try to keep relaxed and not to get too uptight and I wouldn’t really be one for putting the ipod on and keeping to myself. I did have a thing there for a couple of seasons that I would buy a new pair of fancy designer boxers for each championship game. I always went for a weird design or colour and that generated a bit of craic in the dressing room and helped to lighten the mood, but after a while I was well stocked up and to be honest, it was costing me a fortune so I had to knock that on the head!

Seamus Scanlon, Kerry, keep close tabs on Dick Clerkin in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier

Is it difficult juggling work with the intensity of inter-county training?
At present I am working as a production engineer in Drogheda and living in Monaghan so it is not too difficult, especially considering the location of our training grounds which is basically in between the two. I have always made it a priority as much as possible not to allow my football career to conflict with my professional life and try to give equal levels of energy and enthusiasm to both sets of interests. However I wouldn’t be human if I said there weren’t mornings when going into work felt a struggle especially after a really tough session or after a bad defeat the day before.

How is the squad shaping up for the year ahead? Any new names to watch out for?
There were a few lads who definitely showed plenty of promise during the McKenna cup, so I can confidently say there will be a few new faces on show during the course of this year, which is a major positive for the squad. Great strides have been made at underage and school level in Monaghan over the past few years and these players are starting to come through and will hopefully continue to do so over the next few years. If I had to suggest who might raise a few eyebrows over the coming months I would say Dermot Malone and Marty McElroy should get the terraces talking!

Can you list any major influences in your GAA career, people, a certain game or anything that has stuck with you?
My family and especially my father have probably been the biggest influence on my career to date in terms of giving me support, advice and criticism when necessary. I generally don’t talk too much about football with friends and family but when I do he will be the first person I go to for council. I grew up going to watch him and my uncle Ray McCarron playing and winning with Monaghan back in the 80’s so it has always been a huge desire for me to try and emulate their achievements.