Indeed, throughout the world and Ireland, a myriad of athletes have put their bodies and souls through the wringer, gone for the six in the morning run on the beach and pushed that one last bench press in the gym at 10 o'clock at night. Blood has been spilled, tears have been shed and every last ounce of energy has been expended. There has been ecstasy and agony, hope and despair. Certainly 2011 has had it all.
Gaelic Football
In 2010 Cork shook up the old order of modern Gaelic football. They were the first team outside of Tyrone or Kerry to win the All-Ireland since 2002. In 2011 a resurgent and resilient Dublin team continued the revolution in spectacular fashion. Kerry and Tyrone's duopoly is certainly gone.
They will however remain prominent figures for the foreseeable future. Kerry still possess the most clinical set of forwards in the country as well as one of the greatest magicians the game has ever seen in the form of Colm Cooper. On the other hand Tyrone's exquisite youth structure allied with Mickey Harte's ingenuity will make them fierce opposition if not quite right away.
However, it was a year for rehabilitation and renaissances. Indeed Dublin were the biggest story of the year but they were not the only outfit to make the headlines. Certainly one of the most discussed topics throughout the year was the performance of Donegal. It is without doubt that Donegal got pilloried from pillar to post for their tactics; however, they should be given more credit.
Firstly they are not in the entertainment business. They are not being paid, so results without doubt come first. Secondly in their previous two seasons they had exited the championship in the meekest of fashions. Indeed they were humiliated by both Cork and Armagh by nine points in 2009 and 2010 respectively. If ever a radical change was needed for a proud football county this was it.
Yes it is not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but progress has been made. The real challenge for Donegal is now to build upon their success. They will have to incorporate a measure more positivity in their play if they wish to conquer the championship, but for now they should be proud of their achievements in 2011.
Donegal were not the only side to make exceedingly efficient progress this year. Certainly Mayo had their own annus horribilis in 2010, but James Horan, like Jim McGuinness with Donegal, has transformed their fortunes. Their character shone through in the midst of a stormy Connacht championship, whilst they turned the championship on its head by defeating an excellent if under strength Cork team. With the likes of Andy Moran going from strength to strength allied with a great deal of new blood coming through, they too will look to continue their progress in 2012.
However Mayo and Donegal are not alone in attempting to dine permanently at the top table with the likes of Kerry, Cork and Dublin in All-Ireland finals. Indeed Kildare's quest under the watchful eye of Kieran McGeeney continues to astound. Their fitness and doggedness has brought them so far under the Armagh man, but they desperately need a mercurial forward who can see them over the line when it gets to the quarter final stages.
Since McGeeney has taken over they have lost three quarter finals by a combined total of six points as well as agonisingly losing to Down by two points in the semi-final in 2010. Fitness and determination will only get you so far. The vast majority of All-Ireland winners have an exceptionally good spread of forwards to help reach their Everest and Kildare don't quite have enough at this moment in time.
Ultimately though however there is only one side to end with. This Dublin team have endured an array of desperately tough defeats down the years. They have been humiliated by both Tyrone and Kerry whilst equally narrowly missed out to Mayo and Cork, as well as also suffering again to Kerry in 2007.
It is to their credit however that they kept coming back for more. Indeed when Kerry went four points ahead in this year's decider with five minutes to go I assumed they would see out the remainder of the game like they had done so on numerous occasions over the years previous.
Dublin however took their opportunity when it presented itself. They showed nerve and courage in those final moments and are worthy champions whilst players such as the electric Bernard Brogan and his evergreen brother Alan alongside the unerringly accurate Stephen Cluxton deserve their medals.
They now face an even bigger task in holding onto their crown as a whole of host sides will now be gunning for All-Ireland glory for the first time whilst others will look to sip the finest champagne in Gaelic Football one last time. Dublin however should savour their triumph for as long as possible. The 2012 season promises to be a long and absorbing one.
They will however remain prominent figures for the foreseeable future. Kerry still possess the most clinical set of forwards in the country as well as one of the greatest magicians the game has ever seen in the form of Colm Cooper. On the other hand Tyrone's exquisite youth structure allied with Mickey Harte's ingenuity will make them fierce opposition if not quite right away.However, it was a year for rehabilitation and renaissances. Indeed Dublin were the biggest story of the year but they were not the only outfit to make the headlines. Certainly one of the most discussed topics throughout the year was the performance of Donegal. It is without doubt that Donegal got pilloried from pillar to post for their tactics; however, they should be given more credit.
Firstly they are not in the entertainment business. They are not being paid, so results without doubt come first. Secondly in their previous two seasons they had exited the championship in the meekest of fashions. Indeed they were humiliated by both Cork and Armagh by nine points in 2009 and 2010 respectively. If ever a radical change was needed for a proud football county this was it.Yes it is not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but progress has been made. The real challenge for Donegal is now to build upon their success. They will have to incorporate a measure more positivity in their play if they wish to conquer the championship, but for now they should be proud of their achievements in 2011.
Donegal were not the only side to make exceedingly efficient progress this year. Certainly Mayo had their own annus horribilis in 2010, but James Horan, like Jim McGuinness with Donegal, has transformed their fortunes. Their character shone through in the midst of a stormy Connacht championship, whilst they turned the championship on its head by defeating an excellent if under strength Cork team. With the likes of Andy Moran going from strength to strength allied with a great deal of new blood coming through, they too will look to continue their progress in 2012.Since McGeeney has taken over they have lost three quarter finals by a combined total of six points as well as agonisingly losing to Down by two points in the semi-final in 2010. Fitness and determination will only get you so far. The vast majority of All-Ireland winners have an exceptionally good spread of forwards to help reach their Everest and Kildare don't quite have enough at this moment in time.
Ultimately though however there is only one side to end with. This Dublin team have endured an array of desperately tough defeats down the years. They have been humiliated by both Tyrone and Kerry whilst equally narrowly missed out to Mayo and Cork, as well as also suffering again to Kerry in 2007.
It is to their credit however that they kept coming back for more. Indeed when Kerry went four points ahead in this year's decider with five minutes to go I assumed they would see out the remainder of the game like they had done so on numerous occasions over the years previous.Dublin however took their opportunity when it presented itself. They showed nerve and courage in those final moments and are worthy champions whilst players such as the electric Bernard Brogan and his evergreen brother Alan alongside the unerringly accurate Stephen Cluxton deserve their medals.
They now face an even bigger task in holding onto their crown as a whole of host sides will now be gunning for All-Ireland glory for the first time whilst others will look to sip the finest champagne in Gaelic Football one last time. Dublin however should savour their triumph for as long as possible. The 2012 season promises to be a long and absorbing one.
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