But what about [insert your county here]? Don’t worry, we’ll be producing a series of articles that will cover every county in Ireland – even yours – over the next few weeks. See the ones we’ve already covered here.
1. Benny Coulter’s GAA career was celebrated after he announced his retirement
Any excuse to watch this goal again really …
2. Ballynahinch survived a playoff to remain the only Ulster club in Division 1A of the AIL
3. Gary Wilson was named Surrey captain, and went on to score an unbeaten 160 against Leicestershire at the Oval
4. Kevin McKernan lined out for Ireland in the International Rules Test against Australia
5. September was a phenomenal month for the ladies who clinched the All-Ireland premier junior camogie title …
6. … and the All-Ireland intermediate football title with a 21-point demolition of Fermanagh
7. There was no shortage of individual honours either: Camogie captain Niamh Mallon was one of seven players to win a Soaring Star
Karen Tinnelly, Ciara McGovern, Lisa McAliskey, Fionnuala Carr, Karen McMullan and Catherin McGourty were also recognised for their performances
8. Aileen Pyers won a football Allstar — her first and only the county’s second ever — and was also named Junior Players’ Player of the Year
9. Hollywood kid Rory McIlroy dominated the golf world, winning his third Major with a brilliant performance at the Open …
10. … and then following it up a few weeks later with his fourth at the PGA Championship in Valhalla
11. The 25-year-old finished the year as world number one, dominated the end-of-season awards, topped the PGA Tour money list, won the Race to Dubai … oh, and he won another Ryder Cup with Europe at Gleneagles
Not bad, Rory, not bad at all.
– First published 07.30
The return of Marty Clarke and Caolan Mooney from the AFL to play with Down next year probably merited inclusion.
Hearing Marty may not be lining out for definite but Caolan alone could be a huge addition. Up there with Dublins Jack Mc as the fastest man in gaelic football.
What about portaferry winning ulster?