Indeed throughout the world and Ireland a myriad of athletes have put their bodies and souls through the wringer, gone for the six o'clock in the morning run on the beach and pushed that one last bench press in the gym at ten 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.
Rugby
Without doubt it was a great year for rugby. New Zealand finally ended their 24 year hoodoo against a resilient and brave France. The courageous tackling machine Thierry Dusautoir nearly led France all the way but World Cup glory was all that was missing from messrs McCaw and Carters CV's. They deserved their medals for nearly a decade of sensational exploits around the rugby world. With Ireland and Wales also impressing, the northern hemisphere is slowly but surely catching up with its southern counterparts. Of course Ireland will be distraught with the defeat at the hands of Warren Gatland's Wales, but they should remain proud of turning the tournament on its head.
There is life in this team yet and if Jonny Sexton and Sean O'Brien can replicate their Leinster form for Ireland and with one or two new additions a la Eoin O'Malley they can dare to dream of replicating the heroics of 2009.On the provincial front it was an enthralling year for the Irish. For the 1st time in 13 years Munster were not well enough equipped to gain access past the group stages, a feat that may never be achieved again, but sometimes a team must learn from defeat to progress in the longer term.
They may not be the finished article but with four wins from four in this year's competition they are set to return back to their rightful place in the knockout stages and with the grizzled Paul O'Connell and nerveless Ronan O'Gara alongside the bristling Conor Murray and industrious Peter O'Mahoney they will present any side with a great challenge.
Their old foes Leinster however continue to be the best side in the continent closely followed by Toulouse. For the whole of 2011 they simply played outrageously scintillating rugby. Brian O'Driscoll remains the most amazing player I have ever witnessed and his aura is still integral to the team.
However once again the likes of the mercurial Sexton, the rampaging O'Brien alongside the air traffic controller Isa Nacewa and powerful Jamie Heaslip also shine like the stars in the darkest of nights for this team. Indeed they obliterated all comers in the Heineken Cup in 2011. One can only hope they go one step further in cementing their greatness by succeeding in completing the two in a row, and there would be no better team to meet them in the final than Toulouse to finish their epic trilogy over the last number of years.
Ulster meanwhile continue to make to make gradual but good progress. Having made it out of their pool last year was a good success. Unfortunately they have been drawn in an awful pool this year. Progress from there would be an exceptional statement. If they don't it is no great disaster either. With the dynamic Steven Ferris in the pack Ulster are going in the right direction. 
The same cannot be said of Connacht however. Having lost the likes of Fionn Carr and Sean Cronin to Leinster they were already fighting an uphill battle on their maiden sojourn in the Heineken Cup. They have been hugely committed in the Heineken Cup thus far. Eric Elwood is doing an incredibly manful job but he needs resources if Connacht are to ever make a lasting impression on the European stage.In spite of that however a bright and interesting year lies in wait for Ireland and its provinces and with players of the calibre and quality of Sexton, O'Brien, and Ferris allied with the emerging talents of Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahoney and Eoin O'Malley, this isle is set to strike more gold .....and there might just be one more big year in Brian O'Driscoll yet.
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