For future reference, what you see is (not) what you get

SPORTING PREDICTIONS:So, who predicted last year that the Republic of Ireland would be denied a World Cup spot by a Thierry Henry handball in Paris? That's right. No one. JOHN O'SULLIVANon what they did get right.

THERE IS normally massive scope to ridicule the Shamans that are press-ganged, sorry volunteer, to do a little soothsaying for the upcoming sporting year, but for some reason, those that stepped forward ahead of 2009 managed to be far more prescient in their predictions than previous years.

There were quite a few nuggets amongst the Fool’s Gold and those with strong mining instincts would have enjoyed a reasonably lucrative year.

The Irish Times’ Phil Reid and Mary Hannigan, as well as tennis player Conor Niland, all plumped for Barcelona to win the Champions League and all endorsed Bohemians to prevail in the race for the League of Ireland title.

Niland also advised that Kerry would win Sam, Kilkenny would keep Liam and forecast that South Africa would beat the Lions 2-1 during the summer. His future when his tennis career no longer enthrals is assured on his basis of such foresight.

Given the generally pithy tone of these articles in previous years it’s apposite to point out that most people opted for Bohemians, virtually everyone went for Kilkenny to win a fourth hurling title in succession, while Kerry were roundly supported in the football – in some respects celebrating these choices is like applauding half-time. It naturally follows in the sporting firmament.

There were one or two nuggets of the 24-carat variety such as racing correspondent Brian O’Connor’s assertion that Sea The Stars “looks good for the 2,000 Guineas/Derby double”.

The following paragraph is an advertorial paid for (in threats) by the Sports Editor of The Irish Times, Malachy Logan, in which he stresses that he correctly forecast the Republic of Ireland soccer team would finish second in their World Cup qualifying group; that they would go through to a play-off, but lose out at that juncture.

He further added that his razor-sharp instincts were in marked contrast to some of the woolly sentiments expressed elsewhere with regard to whether the Irish team would qualify or not.

As a counterbalance and in the interests of fair play, it is only right to draw attention to a disturbing phenomenon known as “Logan’s Run”. Each year those who appear on this page are asked to chose a person to watch the following year. Logan’s Run is a sorry tale of woe where once proud, promising and hugely capable athletes have seen talent and fitness desert them in mysterious circumstances.

His nominees – James Blake (2005), Mark Vaughan (2006), Luke Donald (2007) and Justin Rose (2008) – were blighted by a loss of form, injury or both during those 12-month periods and beyond in some cases. His choice in 2009, Leinster flanker Seán O’Brien, battled manfully against injury to try to counter the curse.

Michael Schumacher – be afraid, be very afraid. Change your mind and return to the permanent pit lane of retirement while there is still time.

The final throes of Ireland’s Grand Slam victory at the Millennium Stadium seemed to captivate as a highlight of 2009, while there is also honourable mention for Sea The Stars’ remarkable run of victories and also the Clare under-21 hurlers.

Enough nostalgia, it’s time to slag off, sorry examine, how the currently crop of Nostradamuses (think that is the plural or is it Nostradami) see 2010 unfolding.

There’s no doubting Brian Cody’s Kilkenny are ear-marked for a rude awakening.

There will no fifth All-Ireland hurling title in a row with this year’s beaten finalists Tipperary chalked as the Cats successors, which might owe more to wishful thinking than cast iron logic.

Tipping Dublin to win the Sam Maguire these days is like doing the lotto – of course there is always a chance. The winning ticket might instead be found in Cork.

The Ireland rugby team win one Grand Slam and some expect another. There are those, though, who warn about the the Stade de France. In that case, it could be déjà vu all over again for Ireland as they say in the best television circles. Is Saint Denis set to become Irish sport’s Wailing Wall?

And what will become of Tiger Woods in 2010?

A casual look at some of the bets available this time last year reveals that one bookmaker quoted 40 to 1 on a Heineken Cup tie to be played at Croke Park, another had Ireland at 9 to 2 to win the Triple Crown. Kauto Star was 4 to 1 to win the Gold Cup and it was 7 to 4 that Ronaldo would be at Real Madrid in December, 2009.

But it’s important to remember that a betting docket is not just for Christmas.

Click here for 2010 Sporting Predictions