Leinster SHC, preliminary round: Dublin 1-16, Carlow 2-12 (Dr Cullen Park, May 6th)Dublin record a one-point victory, grabbing the decisive score through Gordon Glynn four minutes from time. Goals from Michael Ryan and John Byrne are not enough for Carlow whose concession of a soft goal to Dermot Daly proves costly. Thought: close Leinster SHC, preliminary round: Laois 3-18, Westmeath 2-8 (Mullingar, May 7th) Under new management, Laois field six newcomers and - without ever having to be at their best - cruise to their first championship win since 1989. Thought: mismatch Leinster SFC, preliminary round: Wexford 3-9, Longford 0-12 (New Ross, May 7th) Despite playing with 14 men for 31 minutes following the expulsion of Mattie Forde, the Slaneysiders gain an unexpected victory. The midlanders' winter heroics are banished by two first-half John Hegarty goals and another from Jason Lawlor late on. Thought: avenged Leinster SFC, preliminary round: Wicklow 1-8, Carlow 0-7 (Aughrim, May 7th) The home team takes the points but no comfort from one of the year's drabbest encounters. Trevor Doyle's 20th minute goal is crucial and Carlow rue 17 wides. Thought: uninspired Munster SFC, first round: Clare 0-15, Waterford 1-7 (Ennis, May 14th) Waterford offer some resistence but Clare book their place in the semi-final. The Banner lead is a mere point with 14 minutes left but they cut loose for a comfortable win. Thought: why? Leinster SFC, preliminary round: Wexford 2-11, Carlow 0-10 (Dr Cullen Park, May 14th) Carlow fight a losing battle after having Willie Quinlan sent off in the sixth minute. They resist grimly but goals from Jason Lawlor (62) and Jack Berry (68) seal their fate. Thought: euthanasia. Ulster SFC, first round: Derry 2-13, Cavan 1-5 (Breffni Park, May 14th) Cavan are humiliated on home soil as Derry cruise on. The Oak Leafers dominate an ill-tempered game without ever having to shift into top gear. Thought: breeze Leinster SFC, preliminary round: Longford 2-12, Wicklow 1-10 (Pearse Park, May 14th) Longford have full back Donal Ledwith sent off after three minutes but prevail thanks to Niall Sheridan's goal brace. Goalie Gavin Tonra chips in with two penalty saves and Wicklow also have a man lined. Thought: eventful Ulster SFC, preliminary round: Fermanagh 3-12, Monaghan 1-10 (Enniskillen, May 14th) Fermanagh run Monaghan ragged and advance. Monaghan's goalkeeper is their best player and Fermanagh's forward division - without Tom Brewster - is full of menace. Thought: well-Erned Leinster SHC, preliminary round: Dublin 1-20, Westmeath 0-7 (Mullingar, May 14th) Westmeath are outclassed again as hurling's round-robin system demonstrates remakable futility. Full forward Tomas McGrane is granted The Freedom of Cusack Park and takes home 1-6. Thought: *?@... Leinster SHC, preliminary round: Laois 2-16, Carlow 1-10 (Dr Cullen Park, May 17th) After surprisingly trailing by four points at the interval, the O'Moore County men storm back, hitting 1-5 without reply on the resumption to knock Carlow out of contention. Thought: Wednesday Leinster SFC, preliminary round: Longford 0-18, Carlow 2-8 (Dr Cullen Park, May 20th) Pauric Davis registers nine points as Longford get the result which could have kept them in the championship but didn't. Thought: inconsequential Leinster SFC, preliminary round: Wicklow 0-13, Wexford 1-10 (Aughrim, May 20th) John Hegarty's 15th minute goal is the crucial score which books Wexford's place in the next round proper. Despite Wicklow's storming second-half fightback, it's 'Roll on Dublin' for Ger Halligan's team. Thought: accompli Munster SFC, first round: Cork 3-13, Limerick 2-8 (Kilmallock, May 20th) With just over ten minutes remaining, Limerick trail by a point. But the chance of a shock is dispelled by late goals from Podsie O'Mahony and Kieran Daly. Thought: awakening Leinster SHC, preliminary round: Carlow 3-12, Westmeath 2-11 (Mullingar, May 23rd) A rarity: a championship game doubling up as a league game, with the latter having more significance. Pat Coady's late goal from a controversial penalty seals Westmeath's fate and the referee is booed off the pitch. Thought: madness Munster SHC, first round: Cork 2-32, Kerry 0-4 (Killarney, May 27th) Why are Kerry still playing at this level? Are the spectators getting their money back or just £100 worth of Eircom shares apiece? Thought: farce Ulster SFC, first round: Antrim 0-13, Down 1-7 (Casement Park, May 28th) Antrim emerge tenaciously through the storm, gripping their first championship win in 18 years. Down have no answer to the infectious determination and workrate of Brian White's team, typified by penalty-saving goalkeeper Sean McGreevy, whose heroics contribute to the biggest shock of the year. Thought: incredible Leinster SHC, preliminary round: Laois 0-18, Dublin 0-18 (Nowlan Park, May 28th) A thrilling encounter sees the Dubs fight back from a six-point half-time deficit to earn a draw . . . and yet another outing in this year's competition. David Cuddy (Laois) and Thomas McGrane (Dublin) do most of the scoring as the 2000 Leinster SHC springs to life. Thought: absorbing Munster SHC, first round: Tipperary 0-17, Waterford 0-14 (Pairc Ui Chaoimh, May 28th) The expected fireworks are not evident. The loss of Ken McGrath through injury costs Waterford dearly - as does the sheer brilliance of Tipp's John Leahy. Tipperary's superiority is never in doubt and they record an easier victory than the scoreline suggests. Thought: vindication Ulster SHC, first round: Down 3-14, New York 1-10 (June 3rd) Goals from Gerald McGrattan, Gary Savage and Noel Sands are enough for the Down men. New York put in a respectable enough performance and Kevin Kennedy's major is an historic score but Down always look a different class. New York goalie Finbar Flood keeps the floodgates from opening. Thought: canter Connacht SFC, first round: Roscommon 4-18, London 0-10 (Ruislip, June 4th) The visitors dominate every sector from start to finish, recording a facile 20-point victory. Frankie Dolan and Gerry Lohan net a brace apiece in the final 15 minutes as Gay Sheerin's men cruise into the semi-final. Thought: exiled Ulster SFC, first round: Armagh 0-12, Tyrone 0-8 (Clones, June 4th) A typical hard-fought encounter. Without ever over-extending themselves, the defending champions still have a solid look and Oisin McConville's five points are enough to send Tyrone packing. Thought: machine Leinster SFC, first round: Offaly 0-13, Meath 0-9 (Croke Park, June 4th) Offaly have their homework done and stun the out-of-sorts All-Ireland champions with an impressive display. Inspired by Finbar Cullen, Vinny Claffey and Colm Quinn, the Faithfuls seem to want it more. Thought: pride Munster SHC, semi-final: Cork 2-17, Limerick 1-11 (Semple Stadium, June 4th) The Rebels signal their intent for the year by seeing off Limerick's determined but limited challenge. Seanie McGrath and Joe Deane score the goals; the half back line of Wayne Sherlock, Brian Corcoran and Sean Og O'hAilpin is awesome. Thought: ominous Leinster SFC, first round: Westmeath 1-12, Laois 0-11 (Tullamore, June 5th) Westmeath defy the odds with an invigorating performance. Inspired by centre forward Martin Flanagan who helped himself to the Goal of the Season, the maroons play like men possessed and make a mockery of both the bookies' odds and their poor league form. Thought: deliverance Leinster SHC, preliminary round: Dublin 2-15, Laois 1-14 (Tullamore, June 5th) All Dublin's hard work finally pays dividends. Sean Duignan and Shane Martin score the decisive goals as Michael O'Grady's team takes full advantage of the 21st minute dismissal of PJ Peacock. The O'Moore men are emphatically outplayed in the closing ten minutes. Thought: perseverance Connacht SFC, first round: Galway 1-15, New York 1-5 (Tuam, June 10th) Galway won. Thought: (sic) Leinster SFC, first round: Dublin 2-20, Wexford 1-8 (Croke Park, June 11th) A 28th minute goal from Paul Curran finally breaks Wexford's stern resistence and the injury-ravaged Dubs pull away for a less impressive victory than the scoreline suggests. Thought: sufficient Leinster SFC, first round: Kildare 1-12, Louth 0-12 (Croke Park, June 11th) A game that could have gone either way is settled by a penalty six minutes from time. Padraig Graven converts after John Finn had been hauled down. Kildare escape with a win, despite missing the target 18 times. Thought: lottery Munster SHC, semi-final: Tipperary 2-19, Clare 1-14 (Pairc Ui Chaoimh, June 11th) A blistering race. Tipp cross the line even though their second goal (credited to Paul Shelly) didn't. Nicky English's team prevails thanks to gargantuan efforts from Eugene O'Neill, Brian O'Meara, Philip Maher and John Leahy. Clare are well beaten and can have no complaints. Thought: restoration Connacht SFC, first round: Sligo 1-13, Mayo 1-10 (Markievicz Park, June 11th) Sligo do what they've been threatening to do for years. The Yeats County display hunger and determination to see off tired Mayo. Eamonn O'Hara leads by example as Mickey Moran's men show their true class. They have an answer for anything Mayo can throw at them. Thought: arrival Ulster SFC, first round: Fermanagh 1-12, Donegal 0-13 (Ballybofey, June 11th) Another stunning goal from Rory Gallagher seals Donegal's fate. Fermanagh advance after playing the entire second half with 14 men following the dismissal of Tony Collins. Tony Boyle misses a penalty. Pat King rejoices. Declan Bonner resigns. Thought: shapeshift Ulster SHC, semi-final: Derry 2-15, Down 0-8 (Casement Park, June 11th) Down are destroyed by the game's most progressive power. Kieran McKeever and Michael Collins deliver the goals, three players are sent off and Colin McEldowney is magnificent for the winners. Thought: one-sided Ulster SHC, semi-final: Antrim 2-23, London 0-12 (Casement Park, June 11th) A wasted journey for the exiles as they are easily brushed aside by an Antrim team which never moves out of first gear. Gregory O'Kane scores 1-9 for the Glensmen and his uncle's replacement at centre back - Malachy Molloy - gives a Man of the Match exhibition. Thought: kaned Ulster SFC, semi-final: Antrim 2-8, Derry 0-14 (Casement Park, June 18th) Derry lead by seven points at the break but a remarkable second half fightback - highlighted by Kevin Brady's two excellent goals - earns the saffrons a draw. At the death, Anthony Tohill levitates miraculously to deny Antrim a winning point. Thought: amazed Munster SFC, semi-final: Kerry 2-15, Cork 1-13 (Fitzgerald Stadium, June 18th) Dara O'Cinneide converts two first half penalties and Kerry lead by eleven at the break. Inspired by Colin Corkery's unerring accuracy, the Rebels fight back but Kerry finish strongest. Thought: hectic Leinster SHC, semi-final: Offaly 3-15, Wexford 1-8 (Croke Park, June 18th) Offaly are on top from start to finish and the outcome is obvious long before Liam Dunne's 50th minute dismissal. Johnny Dooley contributes nine frees. Brendan Murphy, Joe Errity and Gary Hanniffy score the winners' goals. Thought: longevity Leinster SHC, semi-final: Kilkenny 3-16, Dublin 0-10 (Croke Park, June 18th) Kilkenny are easy winners and the 15-point margin reflects their superiority. Thought: miaow Ulster SFC, semi-final: Armagh 0-13, Fermanagh 0-12 (Clones, June 25th) Fermanagh give it everything but fall marginally short. Armagh prevail through a Man of the Match performance from John McEntee and a telling contribution from substitute Barry O'Hagan. Thought: narrow Leinster SFC, semi-final: Kildare 0-11, Offaly 1-8 (Croke Park, June 25th) Kildare do most of the running but they don't put Offaly away and the Faithfuls - having trailed by five points - escape thanks to a last-gasp goal from substitute Donie Ryan. Thought: Alcatraz Munster SFC, semi-final: Clare 0-15, Tipperary 0-10 (Gaelic Grounds, June 25th) The outcome is never in doubt. A backheeled point from Martin Daly is one of the year's highlights. Tipp have little to offer. Thought: lambs Leinster SHC, final: Kilkenny 2-21, Offaly 1-13 (Croke Park, July 9th) Kilkenny make it three provincial titles in a row with an emphatic victory. Offaly look alright for half an hour but DJ Carey's excellent solo goal is a clear turning point. Charlie Carter adds a second goal and Offaly disintegrate. Thought: comfortable Connacht SFC, semi-final: Galway 0-22, Sligo 0-4 (Markievicz Park, July 9th) Sligo embarrassingly lose the game many thought they would win. Galway are a class apart and go on a scoring spree as Mickey Moran's team shows no resistance. Thought: thought Ulster SHC, final: Derry 4-8, Antrim 0-19 (Casement Park, July 9th) Three first-half goals give Derry an eight-point interval cushion but they trail by two points with a minute remaining. A goal and a point at the death gives the Oak Leafers their first senior provincial crown in 98 years. Thought: scorpions Ulster SFC, final: Armagh 1-12, Derry 1-11 (Clones, July 16th) Armagh survive Derry's late fightback which culminates in Johnny McBride's thunderbolt equalising goal. Oisin McConville's free (66) is the difference. Armagh's heroes are Kieran McGeeney, John McEntee, Cathal O'Rourke, Paul McGrane and goalscorer Stephen McDonnell. Thought: twotimers Munster SFC, final: Kerry 3-15, Clare 0-8 (Limerick, July 16th) It's all too easy for the Kingdom. Dara O Se runs the show from midfield and the winners are way too strong for Clare in all departments. Thought: final Leinster SFC, semi-final replay: Kildare 0-17, Offaly 2-8 (Croke Park, July 16th) Offaly race into an early lead with goals from Colm Quinn and Ciaran McManus but Kildare find their shooting boots and point their way to victory. Pauric Brennan scores 0-8 for the hard-working winners. Thought: accuracy All-Ireland SHC, quarter-final: Offaly 2-23, Derry 2-17 (Croke Park, July 23rd) The Ulster champions make a real fight of it and are level with only fourteen minutes remaining. But it isn't to be. A twelve-point haul from midfielder Johnny Dooley and two goals from Brendan Murphy give Offaly the edge. Thought: hook All-Ireland SHC quarter-final: Galway 1-14, Tipperary 0-15 (Croke Park, July 23rd) Galway slam the back door in Tipperary's face. A tense and dour struggle ends with the Tribesmen narrowly ahead. Late points from Joe Rabbitte and Eugene Cloonan send Tipp packing. Thought: underwater All-Ireland SHC, quarter-final: Offaly 2-23, Derry 2-17 (Croke Park, July 23rd) The Ulster champions make a real fight of it and are level with only fourteen minutes remaining. But it isn't to be. A twelve-point haul from midfielder Johnny Dooley and two goals from Brendan Murphy give Offaly the edge. Thought: hook All-Ireland SHC, quarter-final: Galway 1-14, Tipperary 0-15 (Croke Park, July 23rd) Galway slam the back door in Tipperary's face. A tense and dour struggle ends with the Tribesmen narrowly ahead. Late points from Joe Rabbitte and Eugene Cloonan send Tipp packing. Thought: underwater Leinster SFC, final: Dublin 0-14, Kildare 0-14 (Croke Park, July 30th) Never more than three points separate the teams. Neither side does enough to deserve victory but the loss of Ian Robertson through injury affects Dublin's chances. The game flows from end to end and is very enjoyable. Thought: entertaining Connacht SFC, final: Galway 1-13, Leitrim 0-8 (Hyde Park, July 30th) Galway can afford the luxury of 18 wides and still run out comfortable victors. The winners play well within themselves and go through with plenty to spare. A bore if ever there was one. Thought: yawn All-Ireland SHC, semi-final: Offaly 0-19, Cork 0-15 (Croke Park, August 6th) Inspirational hurling from the Faithfuls catapults them to this unlikely victory. The entire Offaly team clicks even better than ever before. Simon Whelehan and Gary Hanniffy rise to new heights as the rattled defending champions strike 16 wides. Thought: 3/1 Leinster SFC, final replay: Kildare 2-11, Dublin 0-12 (Croke Park, August 12th) A game of two halves. In the first, Dublin look like the best team ever as they move 0-11 to 0-5 ahead. It could've been more. Goals from Dermot Earley and Tadhg Fennin within a minute of the restart turn the game on its head. The dazed Dubs manage only one point in the second half. Thought: zombies All-Ireland SHC, semi-final: Kilkenny 2-19, Galway 0-17 (Croke Park, August 13th) Ultra efficient Kilkenny inflict a first competitive defeat in over a year on the maroons. Denis Byrne grabs eight points. The Cats obliterate Mattie Murphy's team with a ruthless second-half display. The outcome is never in doubt from the moment DJ's excellent 39th minute goal hits home. Thought: deja-vu All-Ireland SFC, semi-final: Armagh 2-11, Kerry 2-11 (Croke Park, August 20th) Game of the Year. Kerry rush into a 1-3 lead, Armagh storm back. It ebbs. It flows. Maurice Fitzgerald comes off the bench and scores a dream goal. Andrew McCann scores an equalising goal on 68 minutes. Kieran McGeeney edges Armagh ahead. Maurice levels it with the last kick. Thought: football All-Ireland SFC, semi-final: Galway 0-15, Kildare 2-6 (Croke Park, August 27th) Brian Murphy's 45th minute goal puts Kildare three points clear . . . John Finn is sent off in the 56th . . . with three minutes remaining, Kildare still lead by a point. Galway's superiority finally registers on the scoreboard as they finish with a four-point scoring flurry. Thought: jangly All-Ireland SFC, semi-final replay: Kerry 2-15, Armagh 1-15 AET (Croke Park, September 3rd) Kerry dig deepest. MF Russell's two brilliant goals are decisive as are the performances of Declan O'Keeffe, Seamus Moynihan and Darragh O Se. Oisin McConville's mighty goal on 34 minutes seems to have set Armagh on their way but the Kingdom come back to draw and eventually wear them down. Thought: character All-Ireland SHC, final: Kilkenny 5-15, Offaly 1-14 (Croke Park, September 10th) This time, the Cats make no mistake. They are on top in all sectors and have the capacity to score goals at vital stages. DJ Carey gives a masterful performance, as do Eamonn Kennedy, Peter Barry, Andy Comerford, Philly Larkin, Denis Byrne . . . I could go on! All-Ireland SFC, final: Kerry 0-14, Galway 0-14 (Croke Park, September 24th) Kerry race out of the blocks and lead by eight points to one after 21 minutes. Having looked second best for long periods, Galway somehow manage to claw their way back into it. An intriguing contest is turned on its head and ends with the Kingdom hanging on as the Tribesmen squander three great match-winning opportunities. Thought: cardiac Tweet

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