Alan Good
Q1: Who’ll be sport’s big winner in 2011?
Pains me to say it, but I can’t look past Richie McCaw. One of the most decorated All Blacks of all time looks set to lead his side to the biggest prize of all on home soil at what should be his last World Cup.
Q2: You’ll soon be hearing about…
Darren Sweetnam — it just depends what sport he chooses. The multi-talented Bandon Grammar schoolboy has represented his country at hockey and badminton, Munster at schools rugby and Cork in minor hurling; specialisiation will surely be the key to success for him.
Q3: Your own wish for 2011?
A successful end to the Barber Cup odyssey for UCC hockey’s Mighty Thirds — a Munster Division 4 title wouldn’t go amiss either — and for an Irish hockey team to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Q4: The defining sports moment of 2010?
Barcelona’s 5-0 demolition of Real Madrid in El Clasico. There are no superlatives left to shower Barca with, but few, if any, other sporting moments left me feeling like I’d just witnessed history in the making afterwards.
Q5: Most bizarre moment of the 2010 season?
Football punditry on TV has long been more clichéd guesswork than science — certainly when compared to the more forensic analysis applied to cricket and rugby. Proof of this duly arrived during the World Cup, when an octopus called Paul ended the tournament with a 100% success rate in his predictions.
Q6: If the All Blacks screw up again, who’ll win Rugby’s World Cup?
I think the AB’s will actually pull it out of the bag this time. But if not, Australia must be the next best bet, provided they can keep their first-choice front-row fit. Of the rest, the Springboks’ game-plan is outdated but they have a lot of players due off the treatment table,France don’t know their best team, it’s a year or two too soon for England.
Q7: France again for the Six Nations?
Doubtful. Marc Lievremont still seems to have no idea how to balance the wealth of talent at his disposal, and I can’t see them winning in both Twickenham and the Aviva. England look best-placed to edge what’ll be a more open tournament than usual.
Q8: No Irish bias please, the Heineken Cup?
Difficult to look past Toulouse again, though the lopsided nature of their pool — Wasps are breathing down their neck — means a home quarter-final isn’t guaranteed. Leinster look the best of the rest at the moment, with Northampton the dark horses.
Q9: Tipperary and Cork set for further All-Ireland glory this year?
How Kilkenny deal with a feeling they’d almost forgotten — championship defeat — is the key. But my money’s on Tipp if, as is likely, there’s a repeat of last year’s final. The football is far more open; whether Down can kick on and Kerry can kick back will have big bearings on the outcome, but the Rebels must start as favourites.
Q10: The biggest Irish sports story of 2011 will be...
With any luck, something without the words “Paul Galvin”, “refereeing controversy” or “Central Competitions Control Committee” in it. Here’s hoping we’re celebrating Rory McIlroy joining Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell as a Major winner instead.
Paddy Heaney
Q1: Who’ll be sport's big winner in 2011?
All the British Olympic sailors, shooters and dressage experts getting funded to the gills for the London 2012
Q2: You’ll soon be hearing about?
David Beckham and how the English media have finally realised that he’s past it.
Q3: Your own wish for 2011?
That Tiger Woods continues his current slump, that Liverpool continue their current slump, that Chelsea continue their current slump, that the Australian cricketers continue their current slump and that the English cricketers enter an even bigger one.
Q4: The defining sports moment of 2010?
Wayne Rooney’s transfer request. Further depressing evidence of how any vestiges of personal integrity have evaporated from the English Premier League.
Q5: Most bizarre moment of the 2010 season?
Man commits adultery. Man gets caught committing adultery. Man apologises to his?.. business partners? Tiger Woods's stage-managed act of contrition.
Q6: If the All Blacks screw up again, who'll win Rugby's World Cup?
Australia
Q7: France again for the Six Nations?
Ireland (home games against England and France)
Q8: No Irish bias please, the Heineken Cup?
Northampton
Q9: Tipperary and Cork set for further All-Ireland glory this year?
Nope. Kilkenny and Tyrone
Q10: The biggest Irish sports story of 2011 will be...
Paul Galvin finishes the season without a yellow card or dislodged notebook to his name.
Darren Norris
Q1: Who’ll be sport's big winner in 2011?
Arsenal may still be defensively suspect but this might be a year where they can end their title wait. The Gunners have - by a long distance - the best midfield in the league and if they can keep Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie fit they should be celebrating in May.
Q2: You’ll soon be hearing about…
Conor Clifford: With there being something of an age of austerity at Stamford Bridge the talented 19-year-old should get a chance to show what he can do in 2011. Clifford impressed during a recent loan spell at Plymouth and with Chelsea's squad threadbare he should see action for the Blues this year.
Q3: Your own wish for 2011?
Given that no horse over the age of 10 has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup since 1969 the task facing Denman in March is mammoth. But the gutsy 11-year-old is a true great and it would be wonderful for him to crown his career with one last big race win.
Q4: The defining sports moment of 2010?
It wasn't a vintage sporting year but the day in September when Tipperary brilliantly derailed Kilkenny's drive for five was an unforgettable one. Tipp produced an awesome display to shatter Kilkenny in one of the best All-Ireland deciders of the last 20 years.
Q5: Most bizarre moment of the 2010 season?
An obvious choice perhaps, but referee Martin Sludden's incredible decision to allow Joe Sheridan's goal in Meath's controversial Leinster SFC final to stand took some beating. Sludden's failure to disallow the goal and his refusal to properly consult his lineman was scarcely believable and cost Louth a famous victory.
Q6: If the All Blacks screw up again, who'll win Rugby's World Cup?
In the event of another New Zealand implosion South Africa or more likely Australia will win it. England and Ireland have teams in transition while the gifted French, like the All Blacks, tend to be mentally brittle in World Cups when the going gets tough.
Q7: France again for the Six Nations?
Yes but there'll be no Grand Slam in 2011 as the French will fall to England in Twickenham. Wales will push France for the title but Marc Lievremont's side should prove too strong. Ireland will have to settle for third.
Q8: No Irish bias please, the Heineken Cup?
Munster and Leinster will go close but it will be the French who will be celebrating again with Toulouse retaining their crown. They have star quality and experience throughout their team and are the side everyone will have to beat.
Q9: Tipperary and Cork set for further All-Ireland glory this year?
Yes and yes. The age profile of the Tipperary hurlers means that they should be capable of retaining their crown even though Kilkenny will still be a threat. And having finally won Sam, Cork should play with more confidence this year which will help them reign supreme again in September.
Q10: The biggest Irish sports story of 2011 will be...
Rory McIlroy winning his first major. At times in 2010 McIlroy looked the real deal, most notably when he shot a 63 on the opening day of the British Open. It looks a matter of when rather if he wins his first major.
Colm O’Connor
Q1: Who’ll be sport's big winner in 2011?
Rory McIlroy. 2010 was plenty sweet for the Holywood tyro and with growing confidence and a decision to concentrate on the European Tour we predict a Major title or two will be joining GMac's US Open silverware up north any time soon.
Q2: You’ll soon be hearing about…
The impact the recession is having on Irish sports. Clubs in various sports struggling to field teams due to emigration, ticket sales and attendances plummeting, government funding drying up. Well, you did ask...
Q3: Your own wish for 2011?
That sport continues to give us something to talk about other than the IMF, dole queues and mass migration.
Q4: The defining sports moment of 2010?
Noel McGrath’s handpass for Lar Corbett’s second goal in the All-Ireland SHC final. In that millisecond it showed the spirit and unity of a Tipperary side that was playing not as individuals but as a team - perhaps the cornerstone of Kilkenny’s dominance of the previous four years.
Q5: Most bizarre moment of the 2010 season?
Our choice comes courtesy of YouTube which brought the brawl between Avangard Omsk and Vityaz in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League to a worldwide audience. Six seconds after the tip off both sides dropped their sticks to start punching, grappling and kicking in a surreal orchestrated boxing ballet that would give the Central Competitions Control Committee a few sleepless nights.
Q6: If the All Blacks screw up again, who’ll win Rugby's World Cup?
Australia. You think the rivalry between us and our cross channel neighbours is bad, then have a stint with rugby fans on either side of the Tasman Sea. How Rocky Elsom and company would love to claim the William Webb Ellis trophy in the heartland of the enemy. South Africa, France, England and Ireland make up the chasing pack.
Q7: France again for the Six Nations?
Even the Fianna Fáil press office would struggle to spin that one. Marc Lièvremont seems to be nuttier than squirrel shite in his Autumn selections and the more the French are talked up the bigger the disappointment. With the World Cup filling the horizon, does anyone want to win the thing? England seem the likely candidates.
Q8: No Irish bias please, the Heineken Cup?
Leinster. The eastern province are continuing to develop a harder edge up front and are not over-reliant on the skill set of O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Fitzgerald and company to save the day. Toulouse, as always it seems, have to be in the reckoning.
Q9: Tipperary and Cork set for further All-Ireland glory this year?
I wouldn't be heading down to Paddy Power just yet. Teams that have ended title famines often struggle in the follow up ‘second album’ season. Kilkenny along with Galway must be the biggest threat to the Premier men while Dublin and Kerry are the sides best positioned for Sam Maguire. A barren silverware cabinet for the 2010 champions is our prediction.
Q10: The biggest Irish sports story of 2011 will be...
Irish boxing to make more headlines at amateur and professional level. Expect a few Olympic berths to be secured and a world title belt or two on these shores before Santa trundles around again.
John Riordan
Q1: Who’ll be sport's big winner in 2011?
At the risk of pre-empting a question further down the track, after two decades of Rugby World Cup debacles, New Zealand's moment will finally arrive - and on home soil no less. There will more expectation than usual in the Land of the Long White Cloud but that shouldn't be a problem.
Q2: You’ll soon be hearing about…
Frankel has been installed as favourite for the 2,000 Guineas after blowing away the rest of his fellow two-year-olds in the Dewhurst Stakes in October. Us non-racing types will know him as the next Sea the Stars.
Q3: Your own wish for 2011?
I'd like for Andy Schleck to make up for last year's Tour de France heartbreak by keeping the yellow jersey going into the Champs-Élysées on July 24. He just needs a proper chain and a gracious rival who doesn't take advantage.
Q4: The defining sports moment of 2010?
By sheer weight of numbers, a World Cup year will always ensure that football eclipses everything else but Spain winning their first ever trophy in the manner they did means they put every other possible candidate in the ha'penny place.
Q5: Most bizarre moment of the 2010 season?
It was more like over a hundred bizarre moments: despite only four hours of sleep and three pizzas, John Isner managed to get back on the court at Wimbledon in his truly epic first-round clash with Nicolas Mahut. The deciding set was tied at 59-59 when play restarted that morning. Isner eventually won 70-68.
Q6: If the All Blacks screw up again, who'll win Rugby's World Cup?
Holders South Africa are the only realistic alternative despite a mediocre November in the northern hemisphere. Once some key players return from injury, they can take advantage of any hometown nerves for New Zealand.
Q7: France again for the Six Nations?
Australia hammered the French in Paris in November while England, Les Bleus' nearest rivals in what could be a weak Championship, are in a confident mood having beaten the Wallabies. The only thing stopping Martin Johnson's men is complacency. France's to lose then.
Q8: No Irish bias please, the Heineken Cup?
Toulouse and Northampton each have 100% records going into Round Five of the pool stages and both are riding high in their respective domestic championships. But the four-time winners from the south of France will be driven on by the desire to defend the title in Cardiff.
Q9: Tipperary and Cork set for further All-Ireland glory this year?
The pressure will be on both teams to solidify the merit of last year's successes by replicating them next September. Kilkenny will be gunning for Tipp in the hurling but the Rebels will benefit from having shaken the football monkey off their back.
Q10: The biggest Irish sports story of 2011 will be...
Giovanni Trapattoni will fail to guide the Republic of Ireland to Euro 2012, thus bringing to an end over three years at the helm and maybe even his half-century career in the game. The FAI will begin their hunt for a successor with tighter resources.
Ray Silke
Q1: Who’ll be sport's big winner in 2011
Rory McIlroy. He can go out and win his first major this year, and become an even bigger international star than he is already. With his boyish good looks, charm and relaxed manner he can fill the void left by Tiger’s fall from grace.
Q2: You’ll soon be hearing about…
Daithí Burke (Galway hurler). Was full-back on the team that won the minor All-Ireland in 2009. Centre-back and captain last season. Plays with Turloughmore hurling club and a terrific prospect in both hurling and football. He plays like a younger version of Cork’s Eoin Cadogan.
Q3: Your own wish for 2011?
To see the Galway senior hurlers come out of the wilderness and win an All-Ireland. 1988 was too long ago, and two generations (at least) of Galway hurlers have not tasted a senior success. It would be good for hurling too. (A Galway man would say that).
Q4: The defining sports moment of 2010?
In the world of Gaelic football it was Donnacha O’Connor’s goaled penalty against Dublin. If Cork had not gotten that penalty after a silly foul by Ross McConnell, they would not be All-Ireland champions. In hurling, Henry Shefflin’s knee injury was a big factor in Kilkenny’s defeat.
Q5: Most bizarre moment of the 2010 season?
Joe Sheridan’s incredible “three-pointer” in the Leinster final for Meath, and the decision or lack of the correct one by the umpires as they watched on. The reaction to referee Martin Sludden is not something we normally see in Croke Park either. Thankfully.
Q6: If the All Blacks screw up again, who'll win Rugby's World Cup?
Australia look the safest Plan “B”. South Africa have a lot of potential too and they will probably face Ireland in the quarter finals, which should see them into the last four. However, if New Zealand come up short, Australia should pick up the pieces.
Q7: France again for the Six Nations?
No. I don’t fancy them in 2011. It is wide open and could go down to the last game. England are well organised and will be hard stopped, and Ireland, despite their injuries are not without hope. They have France and England at home and that is to their advantage.
Q8: No Irish bias please, the Heineken Cup?
Leicester Tigers. They have won it twice before and if they get up a head of steam they will be hard to stop this Spring. Toulouse are the other “likely lads”. Don’t see Munster or Leinster getting back to their the top of the pile.
Q9: Tipperary and Cork set for further All-Ireland glory this year?
No and yes. Kilkenny will be out for revenge, and they have the talent coming through to get it. Cork have a very fine squad, and a few scoring forwards and with a few new U21s, and if they retain their focus, they can collect again.
Q10: The biggest Irish sports story of 2011 will be...
My first reaction was to say athletics, then I thought… nope. Be more realistic, not enough people follow it closely. So, golf it is: More success for the Holy Trinity - McDowell, McIlroy and Harrington – more international success and a first Major perhaps for Rory McIlroy.
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For more 2011 predictions from top Irish Examiner writers, including Donal Lenihan, Dara Ó Cinnéide and Ruby Walsh, pick up tomorrow's (Saturday January 8) printed edition of the newspaper.
