County-by-County guide - Munster

Clare

Manager: Tommy Curtin.

All-Irelands: 0 Munster: 2 (1992).

1996: Munster semi-final, btn by Cork (replay), 1-16/216 (0-10/1-7).

1997: Munster final, btn by Kerry, 0-11/1-13.

1998: Munster semi-final, btn by Tipperary 0-12/1-16.

1996-98: P5 W1 D1 L3, 30%.

1999: Semi-final v Tipperary or Kerry, June 20th, Killarney or Limerick.

It mightn't be fully recognised but since 1992, Clare have been a more consistent force in the league than in the championship. A couple of good results against Cork notwithstanding, Clare have only won one championship match since the historic breakthrough seven years ago. The success of Doonbeg in the Munster club championship buoyed the county and they survived well in the league to hang on to Division One status. Some talent in attack - Ger Keane and Martin Daly - but they will miss the experience of the retired Francis McInerney. Solid but they need more than that with Kerry their likely first opponents.

Cork

Manager: Larry Tompkins.

All-Irelands: 6 (1990)

Munster: 31 (1995).

1996: Munster final, btn by Kerry, 0-11/0-14.

1997: Munster semi-final, btn by Clare, 1-13/1-14.

1998: Munster semi-final, btn by Kerry 1-11/1-14.

1996-98: P6 W2 D1 L3, 42%.

1999: First round v Waterford, May 23rd, Dungarvan.

The league has settled a developing team and barring an awful flaking tomorrow, they should emerge in reasonable shape for the championship. So far the defence has been impressively tight and mobile - with Mark O'Connor and Steven O'Brien apparently surplus to requirements - but Sean O hAilpin's credentials at full back have yet to be fully tested. Centrefield should have Liam Honohan and Damien O'Neill back and available whereas up front, Joe Kavanagh and a resurgent Mark O'Sullivan have been in form. If Alan O'Regan recovers his form of last July, Podsie O'Mahony's improvement continues and Philip Clifford proves up to championship, Cork are in business. A lot of ifs but none of them outlandish.

Kerry

Manager: Paidi O Se.

All-Irelands: 31 (1997)

Munster: 66 (1998).

1996: All-Ireland semi-final, btn by Mayo, 1-10/2-13.

1997: All-Ireland champions, bt Mayo 0-13/1-7.1998: All-Ireland semi-final, btn by Kildare 1-9/0-13.

1996-98: P11 W9 D0 L2, 82%.

1999: First round v Tipperary, May 23rd, Killarney.

Uncomfortably hot favourites for the Munster title, Kerry had an uninformative league in the second division before losing in a swamp to Meath. Tipperary will provide lively opposition in the first round whereas Cork's challenge looks to be more serious this year than for a while. The strength of the defence won't vary too much and Dara O Se is a quality midfielder. In the attack Michael Francis Russell is on the way back, as is Pa Laide, and the under-21 production line may deliver Noel Kennelly and Aodan MacGearailt. But ultimate aspirations depend on a fully-functional Maurice Fitzgerald and if he's not firing on all cylinders, Kerry will find regaining the All-Ireland very difficult.

Limerick

Manager: Paddy Mulvihill.

All-Irelands: 2 (1896)

Munster: 1 (1896).

1996: Munster first round, btn by Cork, 1-6/2-19.

1997: Munster first preliminary round replay, btn by Tipperary 2-8/1-17 (1-13/0-16).

1998: Munster first preliminary round, btn by Tipperary 1-12/1-13.

1996-98: P4 W0 D1 L3, 13%.

1999: Semi-final v Cork or Waterford, June 19th, Pairc Ui Chaoimh or Limerick.

Football in the county has shown signs of life with last year's minors reaching the Munster final and the usual eye-catching result in the McGrath Cup. The problem for Limerick has been the relentless round of defeats and poor league campaigns which have sapped morale. Despite the uninspired league displays, Limerick have given good accounts of themselves in the championship and only two points over three matches separated Tipperary from them in the last two years.

Tipperary

Manager: Colm Browne.

All-Irelands: 4 (1920)

Munster: 9 (1935).

1996: Munster first round, btn by Kerry, 1-7/2-15.

1997: Munster semi-final, btn by Kerry, 1-10/2-12.

1998: Munster final, btn by Kerry, 1-10/0-17.

1996-98: P9 W5 D1 L3, 61%.

1999: First round v Kerry, May 23rd, Killarney.

After a frustrating league when they were deprived of key players, Tipperary's losses for the summer include former captain Brian Burke who has retired and dual player Brendan Cummins who has opted for hurling this year but early enough for contingency plans to be laid. All Star Declan Browne will be under a ferocious spotlight and has the additional distraction of a fledgling hurling career. Having under-performed in the Munster final last year, Tipperary have concentrated on reducing their reliance on the short game. They will prefer facing Kerry in the first round but the trip to Killarney still looks daunting.

Waterford

Manager: John Cummins.

All-Irelands: 0 Munster: 1 (1898).

1996: Munster semi-final, btn by Kerry, 0-8/3-16.

1997: Munster second preliminary round, btn by Tipperary, 1-5/2-7.

1998: Munster second preliminary round, btn by Tipperary, 0-7/1-16.

1996-98: P3 W0 D0 L3, 0%. 1999: First round v Cork, May 23rd, Dungarvan.

One of the worst records in the championship but perennial ambitions to make some sort of meaningful improvement. Some stirrings at under-age level have seen good results in the minor championship in the last couple of years, including this week, but similar advances at under-21 earlier this decade went unexploited. The opening match against Cork will be a matter of keeping the score down.