County-by-county guide
Antrim
Manager: Liam Bradley. Titles: Ulster 10 (1951) All-Irelands 0.
2011 Championship: Defeated by Donegal. Beat Westmeath and Carlow in the qualifiers before their run was halted by Down.
2012 League: Four wins in Division Three.
Odds: Ulster 25/1, All-Ireland 425/1.
They hit 11-69 in a 2012 league campaign that probably should have earned them more than a mid-table placing. CJ McGourty will not be available for their championship tie against Monaghan but as they showed in 2010 when they shocked Donegal, they are capable of springing a surprise.
Armagh
Manager: Paddy O’Rourke. Titles: Ulster 14 (2008) All-Ireland 1 (2002).
2011 Championship: Fell to Derry in Ulster, just about survived an extra-time qualifier tussle with Wicklow, lost to Tyrone 2-13 to 0-13.
2012 League: Sent down from Division One on the last day of play.
Odds: Ulster 5/1, All-Ireland 40/1
Stephen McDonnell’s retirement is a blow and news that Ronan Clarke – unable to play for two years now – is unlikely to be fit for the crunch meeting with Tyrone on June 10th is a further blow. But the All-Ireland winning Crossmaglen members, including magician Jamie Clarke, will be back for a very daunting opening game.
Carlow
Manager: Luke Dempsey (4th season). Titles: Leinster 1 (1944) All-Ireland 0.
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster semi-final to Wexford 0-10 to 4-12 and qualifier second round to Antrim, 2-9 to 1-13.
2012 League: Lost three and won five matches to finish 7th in Division Four.
Odds: Leinster 125/1, All-Ireland 750/1
Manager Luke Dempsey has publicly acknowledged the rumbling discontent of supporters, as the county failed to kick on from last year’s best championship finish in over 50 years and ended the league ahead of only London and Kilkenny. Opening against a Meath or Wicklow team with a match under belts – so it looks like round one of the qualifiers.
Cavan
Manager: Terry Hyland. Titles: Ulster 39 (1997) All-Irelands: 5 (1952).
2011 Championship: Heavily beaten by Donegal in the first round of the Ulster championship and had their season ended by Longford, who beat them by 2-16 to 0-11.
2012 League: Survived relegation to Division Four, despite winning just two games.
Odds: Ulster 50/1. All-Ireland 500/1.
Interesting times for the fallen bluebloods of the Ulster game. The player putsch against Val Andrews has brought the return of Terry Hyland, who has since cut six players from the squad. Hyland will try and build a team around the Cavan U-21 side who made it to the All-Ireland final a year ago. Face champions Donegal first time out.
Clare
Manager: Michael McDermott (3rd year). Titles: Munster 2 (1992) All-Ireland 0.
2011 Championship: After a heavy defeat to Cork, they showed the better side of their Jekyll and Hyde nature by running Down to a single point in the qualifiers.
2012 League: Lost only twice in eight matches in Division Four.
Odds: Munster 40/1, All-Ireland 750/1.
Straight into the provincial semi-final against either Waterford or Limerick, they can target a first Munster championship final since 2000. Forwards such as Rory Donnelly and David Tubridy are capable of troubling any defence, but they simply lack the squad depth of powerhouses Kerry and Cork.
Cork
Manager: Conor Counihan (5th year). Titles: Munster 36 (2009) All-Ireland 7 (2010)
2011 Championship: Lost to Kerry in the provincial final, beat Down in the qualifiers but came unstuck against Mayo in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
2012 League: Defeated Mayo to retain the Division One title.
Odds: Munster Evens, All-Ireland 10/3.
Counihan’s Cork come into the championship as one of the perennial favourites. This year is no exception; their dominance of Mayo in the Division One league final last month was a reminder that Cork’s hunger for national success is unabated and Colm O’Neill’s form since returning from a cruciate ligament injury gives them added strength in attack.
Derry
Manager: John Brennan. Titles: Ulster 7 (1998). All-Irelands 1 (1993).
2011 Championship: Played wonderful football on the way to the Ulster final against Donegal, where they fell short in a bruising encounter. Lost to Kildare in qualifiers.
2012 League: Never really featured in competitive Division Two, claiming five points.
Odds: Ulster 13/2, All-Ireland 66/1.
Derry go into this year’s championship as a mystery. The team that put on that fine display against Armagh last summer is still out there. You scan the Derry team sheet from Paddy Bradley down and each year the same thought strikes: this team could really do something. And they could. They face either Donegal or Cavan on June 17th.
Donegal
Manager: Jim McGuinness. Titles: Ulster 6 (2011) All-Ireland 1 (1992).
2011 Championship: Ulster champions after a 19-year wait following comfortable win against Derry. Lost All-Ireland semi-final to eventual champions Dublin, 0-8 to 0-6.
2012 League: Won three matches to secure their place in Division One.
Odds: Ulster 9/2, All-Ireland 20/1.
Donegal mixed the good and the bad in Division One and gave the impression their minds were on other matters. Michael Murphy will miss the start of their Ulster campaign. The public can expect a repeat of their defensive system this year but can they refine their attacking set-up? The return of Leo McLoone deepens their half-back options.
Down
Manager: James McCartan. Titles: Ulster 12 (1994) All-Irelands 5 (1994).
2011 Championship: Disappointed to lose by five points to Armagh in their Ulster campaign and went out in qualifiers against a Cork team who put up 2-20.
2012 League: Lost Division One semi-final to Cork in Croke Park.
Odds: Ulster 5/1, All-Ireland 33/1.
Down showed in the 2010 championship that they can still be a potent force. The injury to Benny Coulter, which will keep him out until mid-July, is a terrible blow, but their opening game against Fermanagh is an intriguing test.
Dublin
Manager: Pat Gilroy (4th year). Titles: Leinster 50 (holders) All-Ireland 23 (holders)
2011 Championship: Beat Wexford in Leinster final 2-12 to 1-12, and Kerry in All-Ireland final 1-12 to 1-11.
2012 League: Lost four matches to finish 5th in Division One.
Odds: All-Ireland 5 to 1 and Leinster 8 to 11
Had to campaign as champions without retired coach Mickey Whelan and the two Brogans and still managed to finish as top scorers but Dublin have to be disappointed with the league. Some new talent has been trialled but how hungry can they be after last year’s success?
Fermanagh
Manager: Peter Canavan. Titles: Ulster 0 All-Ireland 0.
2011 Championship: After losing to Derry as expected, Fermanagh suffered an ignominious exit against London in the first round of the qualifiers.
2012 League: Losing Division Four final to Wicklow took gloss of an impressive run.
Odds: Ulster 25/1. All-Ireland 275/1.
Peter Canavan’s appointment has done much to bring about about a new mood in the county. Familiar names have returned and Séamus Quigley has been drawing rave reviews at full forward. Will pose a real threat to Down.
Galway
Manager: Alan Mulholland (1st year). Titles: Connacht 43 (2008) All-Ireland 9 (2001)
2011 Championship: Lost Connacht semi-final to Mayo 1-6 to 1-12; lost qualifier to Meath by one point.
2012 League: Three wins, two losses and two draws to finish third in Division Two.
Odds: Connacht: 11/4. All-Ireland: 25/1.
Definitely a work-in-progress, but with great potential given the underage successes. It will be interesting to see how the new manager – who has guided Galway to All-Ireland minor and under-21 titles – manages to marry the old with the new.
Kerry
Manager: Jack O’Connor (4th year). Titles: Munster 74 (2011) All-Ireland 36 (2009)
2011 Championship: Retained the provincial title and then breezed through the All-Ireland series only to fall at the final hurdle, losing by a point to Dublin.
2012 League: Topped Division One, but lost at home to Mayo in the semi-final.
Odds: Munster 10/11. All-Ireland 2/1.
Once the championship comes around, Kerry – invariably – mean business. Will be determined to atone for their late capitulation to the Dubs in last September’s All-Ireland final. The decision to give Colm “Gooch” Cooper the captain’s armband again signals their intent.
Kildare
Manager: Kieran McGeeney (5th year). Titles: Leinster 12 (2000) All-Ireland 4 (1927)
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster semi-final to Dublin 1-11 to 1-12, and All-Ireland quarter-final to Donegal, 1-12 to 0-14.
2012 League: Promoted to Division One as Division Two winners.
Odds: All-Ireland 8/1 and Leinster 9/4
It’s been a positive spring for Kildare with promotion and silverware secured. Long-term injuries have also abated and in the title win against Tyrone Pádraig Fogarty looked a very promising addition to the attack. On a more cautious note, the defence hasn’t been as tight as previously.
Laois
Manager: Justin McNulty (2nd year). Titles: Leinster 6 (2003) All-Ireland 0
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Dublin 0-11 to 1-16, and qualifier second round to Kildare, 0-10 to 3-16.
2012 League: Lost first five matches to be relegated to Division Two.
Odds: All-Ireland 125 to 1 and Leinster 50 to 1
Relegated into Division Two despite beating the teams immediately above them but Laois were well beaten by the other sides in the division. Justin McNulty can point to difficulties in consistently fielding his best side but scoring proved a consistent problem. Tricky start in Longford.
Leitrim
Managers: Brian Breen/George Dugdale. (1st). Titles: Connacht 2 (1994) All-Ireland 0
2011 Championship: Surprised Sligo in opening game but outclassed by Roscommon inn the semi-final; eight-point drubbing from Down in second round of qualifiers.
2012 League: Won four and lost four to finish mid-table in Division Four.
Odds: Connacht: 30/1 All-Ireland 750/1.
Former county players Breen and Dugdale – members of the last Leitrim team to win the provincial title – have been given a two-year term and know the first step is to avoid a potential banana skin against London away. Mayo await the winners.
Limerick
Manager: Maurice Horan (2nd year). Titles: Munster 1 (1896) All-Ireland 1 (1896)
2011 Championship: Hammered by Kerry, they recovered to beat Offaly, Waterford and Wexford in the qualifiers before a second meeting with Kerry.
2012 League: Four wins, three losses and a draw in Division Four.
Odds: Munster 22/1, All-Ireland 200/1.
Limerick’s championship performances in recent years make them worth a second look. However, a recurrence of a knee injury to veteran, centrefielder John Galvin is a concern heading the campaign and the dual-player issue is one that continues to impede their hopes.
London
Manager: Paul Coggins (2nd year). Titles: Connacht 0 All-Ireland 0
2011 Championship: Almost pulled off the shock of the championship when taking Mayo to extra-time. Took Fermanagh’s scalp in qualifiers before losing to Waterford.
2012 League: One win, one draw and six losses in Division Four.
Odds: Connacht 50/1, All-Ireland 750/1.
Perennial underdogs, but – as the performance against Mayo last year proved – with an ever-greater capacity to bite with their hand strengthened by the current stream of immigrants. Their league form was disappointing but it improved as the campaign progressed.
Longford
Manager: Glenn Ryan (4th year). Titles: Leinster 1 (1968) All-Ireland 0
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster first round to Laois 0-9 to 0-10, and qualifier second round to Tyrone, 0-15 to 2-17.
2012 League: Promoted to Division Two as Division Three winners.
Odds: Leinster 50/1, All-Ireland 125/1
Unbeaten in this season’s league and with Michael Quinn’s return from the AFL in Australia and the Bardens, Seán McCormack and Brian Kavanagh in a strong attack , Glen Ryan’s side will eye a potential route to the provincial semi-final through Laois and Wexford.
Louth
Manager: Peter Fitzpatrick (3rd year). Titles: Leinster 8 (1957) All-Ireland 3 (1957).
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Carlow 0-13 to 0-14 and qualifier first round to Meath, 2-8 to 5-8.
2012 League: Lost three matches to finish fourth in Division Two.
Odds: Leinster 50/1 All-Ireland 150/1 1
A satisfactory league and the retention of Division Two status haven’t made things any easier for Peter Fitzpatrick. Several withdrawals due to injury and travel mean the team have their problems. All Star Paddy Keenan is still there but other centrefield options have been much reduced and Shane Lennon will miss the whole season.
Mayo
Manager: James Horan (2nd year). Titles: Connacht 43 (2011) All-Ireland 3 (1951).
2011 Championship: After surviving a scare in London, Mayo claimed the provincial title – and then beat Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals before losing to Kerry.
2012 League: Beat Kerry in the Division One semi-final, but fell to Cork in the final.
Odds: Connacht 8/13, All-Ireland 14/1.
With a favourable draw in Connacht and the momentum of a good league campaign, Mayo are raging hot favourites to not only win provincial honours but to join the big guns of Kerry, Cork and Dublin as potential Sam Maguire winners. Horan’s hardest task could be to quell the mushrooming expectations of the Mayo supporters.
Meath
Manager: Séamus McEnaney (2nd year). Titles: Leinster 21 (2010); All-Ireland 7 (1999).
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster first round to Kildare 0-10 to 0-16, and qualifier third round to Kildare 0-14 to 2-11.
2012 League: Lost last five matches to be relegated to Division Three.
Odds: Leinster 10/1 All-Ireland 50/1
The only slight positive to be taken out of last month’s farcical attempt to depose Séamus McEnaney is that the air has been cleared in the run-up to the championship. Joe Sheridan’s return from brief exile with his shooting prowess intact has been a more tangible plus but morale is hardly sky-high after a calamitous league campaign.
Monaghan
Manager: Eamon McEnaney. Titles: Ulster 13 (1988). All-Irelands 0.
2011 Championship: Put up a decent display in losing to Tyrone in Ulster before falling flat in the qualifiers against Offaly.
2012 League: Inconsistent, they found themselves relegated to Division Three.
Odds: Ulster 7/1, All-Ireland 150/1.
Monaghan’s best chances for an Ulster title lie in the recent past.
They still have high calibre players like Paul Finlay and Darren Hughes to lead their cause and Tommy Freeman has returned from the United States. A win against Antrim would give them a much-needed boost in morale.
Offaly
Manager: Tom Coffey (1st year). Titles: Leinster 10 (1997); All-Ireland 3 (1982).
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster first round to Wexford 0-8 to 2-16, and qualifier second round to Limerick, 0-15 to 3-13.
2012 League: Won one match and relegated to Division Four.
Odds: Leinster 50/1, All-Ireland 425/1
Another great county apparently in freefall. Manager Gerry Cooney resigned after a catastrophic league that ended with bottom spot in Division Three and the league’s worst scoring difference bar Kilkenny. Tom Coffey has prevailed on a couple of disaffected players to return but with Kildare on the horizon their prospects don’t look great.
Roscommon
Manager: Des Newton (1st year). Titles: Connacht 20 (2010) All-Ireland 2 (1944).
2011 Championship: Big wins over New York and Leitrim only to hit troubled waters in the final against Mayo, losing by two points; well-beaten by Tyrone in the qualifiers.
2012 League: Won four, lost three in Division Three.
Odds: Connacht 9/1. All-Ireland 100/1.
Roscommon have a fantastic conveyor belt of young talent coming through but only one of their beaten All-Ireland under-21s,
Niall Daly, is likely to feature in a tough provincial opener against Galway. The qualifiers route could possibly offer the chance to get real momentum.
Sligo
Manager: Kevin Walsh (4th year). Titles: Connacht 3 (2007) All-Ireland 0.
2011 Championship: A year to forget in many ways, losing to Leitrim by a goal in Connacht and then to Wicklow by six points in the qualifiers.
2012 League: Won four and lost three in Division Three.
Odds: Connacht 8/1, All-Ireland 100/1.
If promotion in the league evaded them, at least life in Division Three enabled manager Walsh to blood new talent. An example of this was Pat Hughes, man-of-the-match against New York. Bigger and tougher matches lie ahead but Sligo shouldn’t be dismissed too lightly in Connacht while in the qualifiers they prove to be stubborn opposition.
Tipperary
Manager: Peter Creedon (1st year). Titles: Munster 9 (1935) All-Ireland 4 (1920).
2011 Championship: Lost to Kerry in the first round in Munster and to Laois in the qualifiers, by the same scoreline of 2-16 to 0-11.
2012 League: Lost first five matches to be relegated to Division Four.
Odds: Munster 100/1, All-Ireland 750/1.
The dreadful league performances led to fall-out with the departure of Johnny Evans, the long-time figurehead of Tipperary football. Hardly the ideal preparation for a championship where the first outing is a poisoned chalice: an opening encounter with Kerry. This could prove to be a tough and short summer for a Tipperary team in transition.
Tyrone
Manager: Mickey Harte. Titles: Ulster 13 (2010). All-Irelands 3 (2008).
2011 Championship: Dumped out by Donegal in a tough Ulster semi-final but still turned up in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, when Dublin ran them ragged in the rain.
2012 League: Showed impressive form, despite losing Division Two final to Kildare.
Odds: Ulster 15/8, All-Ireland 10/1.
Mickey Harte’s decision to commit himself to leading the Red Hand for another three years is significant. By then, he could have built another all-conquering side. Eoin Mulligan and Peter Harte are in form and their opening game against Armagh will not be for the faint-hearted.
Waterford
Manager: John Owens (3rd year). Titles: Munster 1 (1898) All-Ireland 0
2011 Championship: An opening drubbing at the hands of Cork – 5-17 to 2-8 – was followed by a win over London and defeat to Limerick in the qualifiers.
2012 League: Three wins, four losses and a draw means another year in Division Four.
Odds: Munster 100/1. All-Ireland 750/1.
Waterford blew hot and cold in the league, suggesting you don’t know what you’ll get on any given day. The loss of Gary Hurney in a recent club match to a fractured cheekbone deprives the team of one of its strongest players – at least for the opening match with Limerick.
Westmeath
Manager: Pat Flanagan (3rd year). Titles: Leinster 1 (2004) All-Ireland 0.
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster quarter-final to Wexford 0-15 to 1-24, and qualifier first round to Antrim, 1-7 to 0-16.
2012 League: Won three matches to hang on in Division Two.
Odds: Leinster 50/1 All-Ireland 150/1
Survived in Division Two but Garrycastle’s great club run may have drained the last from Des Dolan’s tanks and he isn’t expected back. Denis Glennon is expected to lead the attack but John Heslin’s return from the AFL contributed to the league revival.
Wexford
Manager: Jason Ryan (5th year). Titles: Leinster 10 (1945) All-Ireland 5 (1918).
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster final to Dublin 1-12 to 2-12, and qualifier fourth round to Limerick, 1-17 to 1-18.
2012 League: Lost two matches but promoted as runners-up in Division Three.
Odds: Leinster 18/1, All-Ireland 66/1
Wexford’s revival continues to show great stamina. Jason Ryan’s team came so close to winning a Leinster title last year and have kicked on this year with promotion. Ben Brosnan features in an impressive attack but one concern is the number of goals they conceded in the league.
Wicklow
Manager: Harry Murphy (1st year). Titles: Leinster 0 All-Ireland 0.
2011 Championship: Lost Leinster first round to Kildare 0-5 to 0-12, and qualifier second round replay to Armagh 0-10 to 2-9.
2012 League: Beat Clare on head-to-head for promotion from Division Four. Won title.
Odds: Leinster 66/1 All-Ireland 200/1 .
Great start for Harry Murphy in the post-Micko era – at last securing exit visas from Division Four and giving a fine display in Croke Park to pick up the divisional title. Good balance in the team and in James Stafford they have someone who can exploit Meath’s centrefield problems.
