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.

A Magnificant End To Summer

Yeah, yeah I know Summer was months ago. Or was it, considering the weather was awful and we seem to have bypassed Autumn and are straight into Winter already. However I wanted a big post to kick things off with and the events of the Sunday 21st September were indeed huge.

You see it was All-Ireland gaelic football final day (and for those who don't know what gaelic and hurling for that matter are, check down some information and videos about it. Because honestly, they are probably the two best sports in the world in terms of skill, excitement and just the sheer quickness they are played at). Anyway it was the biggest day in the Irish sports calender and the match was between my home team Tyrone (going for their 3rd title in 6 years) and Kerry (going for their 3rd in a row). It was a match billed to determine the 'Team Of The Decade'. Here's how the day unfolded...

Croke Park, in Dublin and one of the best stadiums in Ireland, packed with over 80,000 fans and the weather was superb.






There was then all the pre-match build-up including the obligatory giant flags.




One of the best things about Croke Park is that the fans are usually all mingled in together so you get a great sea of colours and it allows for a bit of ribbing but things hardly ever get out of hand.


The two teams then made their way onto the pitch for the pre-match photos and then to get warmed-up.



Flags!


Both teams line up to meet the Irish dignitaries and then parade around the park with the brass band.



Confetti...



...and game on!


So ultimately Tyrone triumphed which lead to an inevitable pitch invasion while the captain made a celebratory speech next to the huge cup.


These two men, the manager and captain, are just fantastic. Mickey Harte is just such a tactical genius while Brian Dooher rolled back the years to put in some fantastic performances.


It was just such a fantastic day, the atmosphere was great and it was a thrilling match. And I've saved the best for last.