We reflect on the football year and give our verdict on where each county stands in the overall pecking order.
Last year’s placing in brackets.
1: (2) Dublin
It was success all the way for Jim Gavin’s troops in 2015. The last Sunday in April saw them make short work of Cork while landing a third consecutive league title. A fifth Leinster crown on the trot was achieved with a minimum of fuss in mid July.
Mayo asked many questions, particularly in the All-Ireland semi-final replay, and had the chance to kick for home in a crucial period in the second-half. But the mark of champions is all too evident in power surges that sap their opponents’ energy. Dublin hit Mayo with a three-goal salvo in the final 15 minutes to set up a final date with Kerry.
We expected a classic on the third Sunday of September between the aristocrats of the game. What we got was a dogged affair, a real war of attrition, not helped by a darkened sky above and an incessant downpour. The Dubs had players who were more up for the battle and collectively made fewer mistakes than Kerry.
In the end, Sam Maguire was heading back to the capital city for a 25th time. Few can have any arguments about that outcome – a triumph also based on a pillar of defensive solidity that the Dublin management have added to their game.
2016 prospects: The Dubs are well placed to pick up more silverware and will be keen to land back-to-back All-Irelands and so repeat the feat achieved in 1976-77 by sides managed by Kevin Heffernan and Tony Hanahoe.
2: (4) Mayo
It was another year when Mayo just fell short in their quest to win Sam Maguire - and we are placing them second, despite not making the final two. Should they have adopted a more positive approach in the first half of the drawn All-Ireland semi-final? The momentum was with them when they reeled the Dubs in late on in the second period, but they couldn’t get their noses in front.
In the replay, the westerners went four points up at a crucial period. Again, they failed to drive on and were left to rue what might have been.
Throughout the year, there were murmurings that all wasn’t well in the Mayo camp. In late September, the players voted 27-7 in favour of a measure of no confidence in the management team of Pat Homes and Noel Connelly.
A few days later that duo had stepped down. Much sympathy came their way amid talk of increased player power. When all is said and done, the Mayo players have now brought a bit more pressure on themselves in their quest to finally bring home September silverware.
2016 prospects: New manager Stephen Rochford comes with an impressive coaching CV and won’t lack for support in having Donie Buckley and Tony McEntee alongside him. The All-Ireland remains the Holy Grail, but as I've said before in this review, collecting silverware in the shape of league success would be no bad thing for Mayo as they strive to end a 65-year wait for Sam.
Rochford’s arrival will certainly give the squad a boost. Added to that is the importance of having a fully fit Cillian O’Connor available for the heat of summer battle.
3: (1) Kerry
The late Páidí Ó Sé got into trouble when he described Kerry supporters as “f***in animals”. While many got overly exercised by Páidi’s remark, thankfully there were just as many within the county who knew exactly where he was coming from.
Football is all consuming in the Kingdom and an assessment of 2015 within the county would surely not make for pretty reading when taking the All-Ireland final into account. Kerry may have only lost by three points to Dublin but that scoreline was kind to Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s side.
A number of their key players failed to sparkle and too many passes went awry. Earlier in the season, Cork were within seconds of reclaiming the Munster crown, only for Fionn Fitzgerald’s late long-range point to earn them a reprieve. Kerry comfortably won the replay.
Kildare were well and truly put to the sword in the All-Ireland quarter-final. The next day out saw Tyrone ask many questions of the Kingdom but Fitzmaurice’s men held their nerve when it mattered most. And then the flatness in September. All told, a strange sort of season.
2016 prospects: The current manager and his backroom team are to remain in place. James O’Donoghue’s surgery on a recurring shoulder injury will see him miss the Allianz League. A shoulder problem will also see Colm Cooper absent, though probably not for all of the league.
The desire in the squad will be to make amends and recapture Sam. Confidence will be high that they can win a fourth consecutive Munster title. Beyond that, a potential rematch with the Dubs awaits in the All-Ireland semi-final.
4: (11) Tyrone
Mickey Harte’s troops may have dropped out of the league’s top tier but their run through the qualifiers suggests that they could again be a force to be reckoned with. If they had taken some decent goal chances that came their way, they might have beaten Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Indeed, turn the clock back to the 17 May and there were positive signs in the preliminary-round loss to Donegal in Ulster. Mattie Donnelly won an All Star, while many believe Peter Harte should have been similarly recognised. The contribution of All-Ireland U-21 winner Mark Bradley was also noteworthy.
2016 prospects: Back in Division 2 alongside four other Ulster counties. Not a bad way to prepare for the provincial campaign and an opening tussle with Derry. Tyrone haven’t won Ulster since 2010 and after the progress made this year, you’d give them every chance of reigning supreme again.
5: (5) Monaghan
Another Ulster title and a league semi-final where they ran the Dubs to a point would suggest a productive season for the Farney, but the nature of their All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Tyrone did put something of a dampener on the year.
Malachy O’Rourke’s men had real ambitions to make the last four and the question now is whether this current generation will get such a chance again?
Still, for a county of Monaghan’s size, for them to be mixing it regularly with the big guns is to be applauded and in Conor McManus they have one of the best footballers in the country.
2016 prospects: Another year in Division 1 won’t do the side any harm, but last August’s defeat to Tyrone did highlight their inability to cope with fast-running, stylish forwards. That's something they are going to have to address.
6: (3) Donegal
We had a bit of everything from Donegal this year. From the early brilliance that saw them flatten Armagh in the Ulster quarter-final, to Michael Murphy’s catch, turn and then point against Galway, and the error-strewn display that saw them lose their provincial title.
Their final act in the summer drama saw them comfortably brushed aside by Mayo. By then they had nothing left in the tank.
2016 prospects: Can Rory Gallagher get the same tune out of the side that Jim McGuinness did in 2014 after a flat previous season? That is the question. The Ulster title, for one, will be hard to regain.
7: (6) Cork
It’s a case of what might have been for the Rebels. If they had hung to win a Munster title, they more than likely would have ended up in an All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone, and maybe the final after that. Instead, Kerry wore them down in the provincial final replay and won with a bit in hand at a sodden Fitzgerald Stadium.
After that, Cork’s heart was no longer in it and a hungrier Kildare ran riot at Semple Stadium.
Manager Brian Cuthbert called it a day and after a few weeks of deliberation the Rebel board chose Peadar Healy as his successor.
2016 prospects: There is still enough talent at Healy’s disposal to ensure that Cork will be competitive again on all fronts. Poaching Eamonn Ryan from the ladies' football set-up is a shrewd move.
8: (24) Fermanagh
For many, Fermanagh were the team of 2015 after their run to the All-Ireland quarter-final and promotion to Division 2. Even though they went down to Monaghan in the Ulster semi, they showed enough that day to suggest they could have profitable run through the back door.
And that’s what happened, with wins over Antrim, Roscommon and Westmeath. Their fans brought much colour and excitement to Croke Park on 2 August to take on the Dubs and the team responded with a gutsy display.
2016 prospects: After the defeat to Dublin, manager Pete McGrath spoke about the goal of winning Fermanagh’s first Ulster title. They are, however, going to have to do it the hard way as they start in the preliminary round against Antrim. Donegal await if they get over that hurdle.
9: (8) Galway
The Tribsemen had a mixed league campaign before finding Mayo a bit too hot to handle in the Connacht semi-final. Back-door success against Armagh and Derry showed a steeliness in the Galway make up, but the nature of the loss to Donegal ultimately proved that Kevin Walsh’s side still have a bit to go before threatening the big guns.
2016 prospects: Will need to seriously have a go at escaping from Division 2. A Connacht semi-final with Mayo is on the horizon again, with the view to getting back to Croke Park in August.
10: (10) Kildare
It was a tough enough year at the office for the Lilywhites. Relegation to Division 3 wasn’t in the script and then there were those chastening defeats at the hands of Dublin and Kerry – the latter reversal was particularly humiliating. Some positivity came in the shape of qualifier wins over Longford and Cork.
Interestingly, new manager Cian O’Neill has said his sense from working with the panel in the last six weeks is that they're not burdened by any psychological scars from those losses to Dublin and Kerry. Time will tell on that front.
2016 prospects: Should be capable of promotion in the spring and would be disappointed thereafter if they don't reach a Leinster final.
11: (13) Roscommon
Reaching Division 1 may have taken its toll on Roscommon as they failed to sparkle in the championship. They were fancied to get to a Connacht final, but surprisingly came unstuck against Sligo. They did get the show back on the road with a fine victory over Cavan and then looked to be on track against Fermanagh. However, a late surge from the Ernesiders saw them prevail by the bare minimum.
The Rossies’ season was over by 12 July.
John Evans, who oversaw successive promotions and spoke passionately (maybe too passionately for some!) about the heights that Roscommon could reach, subsequently stepped down. The ticket, some are calling it a dream ticket, of Kevin McStay and Fergie O’Donnell, have now been entrusted with delivering on the promise shown under Evans.
2016 prospects: Mixing it with the big guns in Division 1 can only help Roscommon's further development. It’s unlikely they’ll slip up in their pursuit to reach a Connacht final, though winning a first Nestor Cup since 2010 may just be beyond them.
12: (14) Derry
The Oakleafers pushed Donegal all the way in the Ulster semi-final before losing narrowly. Their defensive strategy, while not pretty, had previously served them well when they accounted for Down. Galway eventually got the better of them in the qualifiers on an afternoon where Brian McIver felt the referee Conor Lane did them no favours.
The league saw relegation from the top flight but overall McIver, in his final year in charge, has handed new boss Damian Barton a decent crop of players to work with.
2016 prospects: Aside from last season’s relegation, Derry have a good league pedigree and this should stand to them in what is bound to be a mighty scrap to make it back to the top tier. Come the championship, all the focus will be on a date with Tyrone.
13: (22) Westmeath
After a few barren years, Westmeath certainly found its voice again in 2015. Three championship wins, highlighted by that stirring success over Meath, brought much joy to the county and a Leinster final appearance against the Dubs where they managed to keep things competitive in the opening half.
The season, however, did end on a rather limp note with the defeat to Fermanagh and the spring did see relegation from Division 2, but there is something there for Tom Cribbin and his management team to build on.
2016 prospects: Expect a big push to get back to the second tier and with Dublin on the other side of the draw, there is no reason to suggest that they won’t be in the running to contest another Delaney Cup decider.
14: (7) Armagh
2014 ended on a positive note for the Orchard County and the expectation was that they would build on that. Promotion from Division 3 was achieved, albeit not impressively.
Perhaps that was a warning sign for what was to come. Donegal blitzed Kieran McGeeney’s charges in the Ulster quarter-final, while the back door was firmly shut by a much more focused Galway side.
2016 prospects: Playing better opposition and most of their neighbours for that matter in Division 2 should aid their effort in trying to win a first Ulster crown since 2008.
15: (9) Meath
The Royals just missed out on promotion to Division 1 on the head-to-head rule. They looked set for another Leinster final appearance until Westmeath caught them late on in that classic semi-final. It’s fair to say that a first ever championship loss to their neighbours did not go down well within the county. Meath’s year ended with a two-point defeat to Tyrone in the qualifiers.
To the surprise of some, Mick O’Dowd keeps his position as manager for a fourth season but has made changes to his backroom team.
2016 prospects: O’Dowd has promised to unearth a few players that can push Meath on that extra step. The jury is out, however, on whether he’ll be able to achieve that. The fans will no doubt demand that the side are again pushing for promotion and that their summer does not end by mid July
16: (16) Down
Early season joy for the Mourne County came in the shape of promotion to Division 1. That was as good as it got. A one-point defeat to Derry in Ulster left much frustration. A trip to Wexford in the qualifiers was meant to re-ignite their season but Jim McCorry’s side fell on their sword as goals from brothers Naomhán and Tiernan Rossiter set the Yellowbellies up for a famous victory.
When the dust had settled, McCorry vacated his post after one year in charge. Two-time All-Ireland winner Eamonn Burns takes over and his immediate focus is getting the side prepared for their return to the top flight.
2016 prospects: Four of Down’s games in the spring are away from home so it’s not going to be easy. It’s now been 22 years since the county won the Anglo Celt Cup and the draw isn’t kind with Monaghan and possibly Donegal standing between them and a place in the final.
17: (12) Tipperary
There was much expected from Tipp but in truth they failed to cut a real dash. A narrow defeat to Armagh in the first round of the league ultimately cost them promotion to Division 2. However, the failure to properly lay a glove on Kerry in the Munster semi - and then the hammering by Tyrone in Round 3 of the qualifiers - proved most disappointing.
Peter Creedon called time on his tenure as manager, with former Limerick and Laois boss Liam Kearns taking over.
2016 prospects: If Kearns and his backroom team can make Tipp competitive from the off, then they should be in the shake-up for promotion come April. The Munster draw, for once, has them on the opposite side to Kerry. A major breakthrough would be reaching the provincial decider.
18: (17) Cavan
Pushing Monaghan all the way in the Ulster quarter-final was the only positive to take from a year where Cavan in general failed to excite. The manner of the season-ending loss to Roscommon said much about their overall effort. Questions will now be asked as to whether recent underage success will ever bear any real fruit?
Pressure of sorts on manager Terry Hyland as the new season looms.
2016 prospects: Seanie Johnston is back in the fold, but Hyland must still unearth a few more players with an eye for a score as Cavan lack a real edge up front.
19: (20) Sligo
Reaching a Connacht final after a terrific win over Roscommon and being top scorers in the Allianz League should have indicated a productive year’s work for the Yeats County, but then there was that horror show against Mayo in the provincial decider.
Pride was restored somewhat in their efforts against Tyrone in the final round of the qualifiers.
2016 prospects: In his second season in charge, Niall Carew will have to sort out some defensive frailties if Sligo are to make a real push to escape from Division 3. A repeat date with Roscommon in the provincial semi-final looks likely in the middle of June and the opportunity to leave the Rossies red-faced again.
20: (16) Laois
A spring campaign where they failed to pull up too many trees was the precursor to an indifferent summer for Laois that saw them crash out of the championship to Antrim at O’Moore Park. At the end of it all, Tomás Ó Flatharta stepped down as manager.
Former minor boss Mick Lillis is the new man in charge.
2016 pospects: Laois have many talented players and Lillis will be hoping that the squad responds to his ways ahead of a Division 2 campaign that will be most competitive. The prospect of facing Dublin outside Croke Park, though not at O’Moore Park, should also focus minds come early June.
21: (23) Longford
Heavy championship defeats to Dublin and Kildare left a bit of a black mark on the year, but still the promotion to Division 3 and subsequent summer wins over Offaly and Clare gave Longford fans something to cheer about in Jack Sheedy’s final year in charge.
2016 prospects: Denis Connerton returns for a second stint at the helm and avoiding an instant return to Division 4 would be a success before meeting an Offaly side, intent on revenge, in their championship opener.
22: (18) Clare
It’s fair to say more was expected from Clare in 2015. Much disappointment followed their loss to Longford in the qualifiers and before that were the many missed chances that blighted their Munster semi-final loss to Cork.
2016 prospects: They do have the players that can make a push for promotion from Division 3 ahead of making it back-to-back championship wins over Limerick.
23: (29) Offaly
It was a solid enough first year in charge for Pat Flanagan and those in attendance would have enjoyed their Division 4 final win over Longford. Three weeks later, the latter gained revenge when the sides met in the championship, leaving the Faithful camp somewhat deflated.
That said, the Midlanders went on to defeat Waterford in the qualifiers and certainly weren’t disgraced when pushing Kildare all the way in the subsequent round.
2016 prospects: Flanagan will no doubt want further improvement. A successive promotion may be beyond them but the Leinster campaign offers a decent chance of making a semi-final.
24: (19) Wexford
It was a difficult enough first season in charge for David Power, with relegation to Division 4 a major setback before Westmeath dumped them out of the Leinster championship. However, a bright spot on the horizon was the stirring home win over Down in the qualifiers.
2016 prospects: Instant promotion is what Power will be expecting from his troops. If that is achieved, spirits will no doubt be high for a Leinster quarter-final joust with Kildare at the end of May.
25: (25) Limerick
Just about held on to their Division 3 status in a year when John Brudair’s men failed to make much of a stir.
A narrow loss to Clare in Munster was followed by a nine-point defeat against Tyrone in the qualifiers. Season over.
2016 prospects: Will have home advantage against Clare in their provincial opener and the chance to avenge this season’s loss. Before that they may again have to scrap to preserve their third-tier status.
26: (27) Antrim
One of the standout moments in a not so memorable year for football was Antrim coming back from the brink to beat Laois in Round 1 of the football qualifiers. What made it even more remarkable was that manager Frank Fitzsimons dropped some notable players, including the McGourty brothers, prior to the game for playing in a hurling club match the night before.
That day of delight was sandwiched between successive championship losses to Fermanagh.
2016 prospects: Should be vying for promotion from Division 4, though the championship draw has not been kind as Fermanagh are their opponents again, this time in the preliminary round. Get over that and next up is Donegal.
27: (21) Louth
Aside from the win over Leitrim in the qualifiers, it was a wretched year for the Wee County. Relegation from Division 3 saw them ship 9-107 in their seven games. And then there was the 23-point trimming at the hands of Tipperary in the qualifiers.
2016 prospects: Will be expected to push for promotion. Minds will also be focused on a potential date with bitter rivals with Meath in the Leinster quarters, assuming they first get over Carlow in the preliminary round.
28: (26) Wicklow
Spirited summer displays against Meath and Armagh were in stark contrast to a disastrous league showing that culminated with a home defeat against London.
2016 prospects: If manager Johnny Magee can instil the drive that saw them end 2015 in reasonable shape then the year ahead should bring a further upturn. There is also the target of a date with Dublin in a Leinster quarter-final in Nowlan Park
29: (30) Leitrim
Leitrim again failed to feature in the mix for promotion from the bottom tier – a position they have now occupied since 2009. The championship saw defeats to Galway and Louth. Good news came with Emlyn Mulligan’s decision to rejoin the squad.
2016 prospects: A bye to a Connacht semi-final has again eluded Shane Ward’s side, though they won’t lack for support in Carrick against in all likelihood Roscommon in the quarters on 22 May. Before that the outcome of early away games against Wexford and Antrim will tell us much as to their quest to finally escape from Division 4.
30: (28) Carlow
Carlow’s league campaign was decent, as they went unbeaten in their first four games. The wheels did come off somewhat at the business end, but still there was the expectation that they could have a right cut off Laois in their championship opener.
However, Turlough O’Brien’s troops were well off the pace against the O’Moore County and slipped to a 17-point defeat. They did recover their pride, however, in their subsequent showing against Longford.
2016 prospects: Won’t be one of the frontrunners to emerge from Division 4, but a Leinster opener against Louth should not hold too much fear.
31: (31) Waterford
Hopes were raised that Tom McGlinchey’s side could raise a gallop after their McGrath Cup success. However, the spring campaign only yielded a haul of three points and what followed was heavy championship defeats at the hands of Tipperary and Offaly.
2016 prospects: It’s hard to get excited if you’re are a Déise fan. Division 4 has a competitive look about it and Tipperary are again their opening opponents in Munster.
32: (32) London
In his final year in charge, Paul Coggins can take some satisfaction from a decent effort against Roscommon in Connacht, before Cavan ended their season in the qualifiers. Former Wexford captain Ciarán Deely is the new men at the helm.
2016 prospects: The question is can Deely’s charges make an impact in the league? Early trips to Louth and Wexford won’t be easy as they ultimately prepare for facing Mayo in the championship – five years on from scaring the daylights out of the Green and Red.
33: (33) New York
New York’s championship adventure again ended in defeat, despite a bright start against Galway on the May Bank holiday weekend. Former Wexford player PJ Banville scored seven of the Exiles’ eight points on a day when Galway’s class eventually told with a strong second-half showing.
2016 prospects: Roscommon are next up to visit the Big Apple and the home side will be looking to be competitive for most of the contest.
