All-Ireland Gaelic & Hurling Draws 2009

So the draw happened a month or so ago which caught me unaware seeing as this year's season had only just finished.

Some points of note in the hurling...

• The Munster side of things should be as competitive as ever, there are no easy draws in that one. Cork/Tipp should kick things off nicely.
• It is strange to see Antrim (from Ulster) and Galway (from Connacht) in Leinster but it will do both teams a world of benefit. Antrim are too good in Ulster but get whipped by everyone else so they will get some experience against better competition. While Galway will get the added benefit from getting a few extra games under their belt. Kilkenny getting a bye is no big worry as it will give one of the weaker teams a chance to have a proper go in their quarter-final match.

And on the gaelic side of things...

• Maybe London and New York will actually win for a change, doubt it as they play the two strongest teams. And with them being kept apart, both Galway and Mayo should make the final.
• Meath and Dublin meeting in their first matches is huge and should be a really good game. If Dublin come through that they will probably walk Leinster again, if they lose it is anyone's for the taking.
• Cork should meet Kerry in the semi-final which means we will be denied a proper final. Whoever wins their clash will be a certainty to win the province.
• Ulster is the toughest province and neither Tyrone nor Armagh could have asked for a harder start. The All-Ireland Champions versus the Ulster Champions is one tasty clash. Luckily Tyrone should have home advantage. Whoever wins will be favourite to win the final but it is not usually that clear-cut.

So there is plenty to look forward to next year but that's a long way away yet.