SPORTING PREDICTIONS 2005: It may be a "gap" year in sport, but that doesn't stop a panel of 12 from trying to fill in the blanks, writes Gavin Cummiskey
The soothsayers return. Tradition has it that six of The Irish Times sports department's finest and six popular figures from Irish sport gaze into their crystal balls to inform, or in some cases horribly deceive, the public about how the chips will fall in 2005.
In many respects this is a gap year - no major soccer tournament or Olympic Games - with the main sporting event being the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in June. With Irish rugby riding on the crest of a wave, we asked how many will make the starting 15 for the first Test on June 25th in Christchurch.
Most opted for caution here. Good to see we are not losing the run of ourselves as the sun shines. Yet, it is pleasing to note Padraig Harrington showed his patriotic fervour by stumping for five men in Clive Woodward's line-up. The Six Nations results will reveal more.
Considering Ireland's recent form many believe this could be the year a Grand Slam is delivered - bridging a 56-year gap since Karl Mullen led the team to their only triumph.
However, with the French travelling to Twickenham five of the panel wisely deflected the pressure from Eddie O'Sullivan's men by backing England to prevail.
A similar theme has been adopted with the Heineken European Cup as the traditional powerhouses of Leicester and Toulouse are favoured. Munster folk will be chuckling to see five experts backed Leinster while just one (albeit the rugby correspondent) plumped for Munster to finally scale the summit.
Rarely does a pattern emerge here - nine out of 12 went with the immaculate Roger Federer to retain the men's Wimbledon title and - surprise, surprise - Chelsea are heavily backed to remain top of the Premiership come May.
In the Champions League, three panellists foresee Jose Mourinho achieving the domestic and European double in his first season under the spotlight that Roman Abramovich's millions have created at Chelsea.
On the international front, there will be plenty to whet the appetite as Brian Kerr attempts to ensure qualification for the World Cup in Germany. Remember Stuttgart in 1988? France come to Dublin on September 7th.
In April, the first golf Major arrives with the US Masters in Augusta. All the usual suspects were tipped. Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III and an allegedly refreshed Tiger Woods.
After Phil Mickelson broke his Major hoodoo in 2004, can this be the year when either Darren Clarke or Harrington finally make the step up? Sergio Garcia falls into the same category.
In athletics, the World Championships return to Helsinki in August for the first time since the 1983 inaugural meeting.
Then we have our own private thrills of the GAA championships. Hopefully, the greater number of matches in hurling will not bog things down. Regardless, Waterford have a great chance to claim the Liam McCarthy Cup. In football, it's wide open again as Kerry brace themselves for the Ulster backlash.
As we write, a panel somewhere is prepping for a run akin to the one Fermanagh produced last time out.
Glancing back at the predictions from 12 months ago things don't look too promising. In fairness, no one could have predicted Greece to win European Championship, while it would have taken a brave soul to back Mickelson at Augusta, even at the turn on Sunday.
The sports editor correctly chose France to win the Six Nations and Cork to prevail in the All-Ireland hurling championship, but these were negated by the prediction that Seán Boylan would "work the oracle" in Meath.
The player for the future is also a desperately tricky scenario. Tottenham Hotspur's Irish full back Stephen Kelly was tipped for a big 2004 but this year might actually see him emerge.
The same can be said of Ulster's Roger Wilson, who still seems a season or two off international honours.
US tennis player Taylor Dent failed to make an impact at any Grand Slam event and missed out on the bronze medal in Athens.
Crystal ball gazing or shooting in the dark? You decide.
Looking into the Crystal ball: A mixture of eye-opening predictions and blind faith
Padraig Harrington - Golfer
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Away from golf, the rugby win over South Africa and the way Ireland held on for victory. It was especially pleasing because some South African caddies had made bets with me.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Cork to retain the hurling, and Dublin to win the football.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? Arsenal.
Who will win the Six Nations? I will wholeheartedly go with Ireland.
Who will win the European Cup? Leinster.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer.
One for the future: Jonathan Byrd, on the US Tour, could do very well next season. In Europe, look out for Stephen Browne.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? As someone who suffered in my amateur days when it came to selection on Britain and Ireland teams, I know I am probably pushing it when I say five.
Hopes for 2005: To play like there is no tomorrow!
Philip Reid - Golf Correspondent
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: The Ryder Cup. As an observer on the first tee, the hairs stood up on the back of your neck and from the time that Monty and Harrington started out that Friday up to the very end on Sunday, it was a spine-tingling occasion - especially because of the three Irish players.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Waterford to win the hurling; Kerry to retain the football.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea
Who will win the Champions League? Barcelona.
Who will win the Six Nations? England.
Who will win the European Cup? Leicester.
Who will win the Masters? Retief Goosen.
Who will win Wimbledon? Andy Roddick.
One for the future: Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) in the pro ranks; Rory McIlroy in the amateur.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Three.
Seán Moran - GAA Correspondent
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Brian Corcoran's final point at the end of the All-Ireland final. It was a symbolic celebration of a tremendous comeback that made a big difference.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Kerry to be the first team to win back-to-back titles since Cork 14 years ago and in hurling, Waterford.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? Chelsea.
Who will win the Six Nations? England.
Who will win the European Cup? Leinster.
Who will win the Masters? Tiger Woods.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer.
One for the future: Enda Devenney, stunning displays for Ballina suggest he is ready for the top level - if he wants it.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Three.
Emmet Malone - Soccer Correspondent
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Czech Republic 3 Holland 2, in the European Championship group stages. Probably the best game of soccer I've ever seen. The Czechs came from 2-0 down to win. It had everything: superb goals and saves, wonderful technique and great tactical management by both sides.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Cork and Dublin.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? Barcelona.
Who will win the Six Nations? England.
Who will win the European Cup? Toulouse.
Who will win the Masters? Sergio Garcia.
Who will win Wimbledon? Andy Roddick in the men's, Maria Sharapova in the women's.
One for the future: Aiden McGeady.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Three.
Alan Lee - Soccer Player (Cardiff City)
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Personally, the Holland game when we beat them in the Amsterdam ArenA. I got on with 15 minutes to go. It was a special night.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Being a Galway native I'd have to go for the Tribesmen in the hurling. Kerry in the football.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? Whoever wins the last 16 match between United and AC Milan should go all the way.
Who will win the Six Nations? Ireland.
Who will win the European Cup? Leicester.
Who will win the Masters? Ernie Els.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer.
One for the future: Joe Ledley is a young Welsh left winger who has just come into our team. He is an amazing player and is still only 17.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Four.
Hopes for 2005: For Ireland to qualify for the World Cup in Germany.
Dessie Farrell - GPA Chief Executive
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Cork's hurling triumph, especially after all they've gone through. On the international scene, Greece winning the European Championship as it just epitomised what can be done with a good team spirit. Of course, Ireland winning the Triple Crown and Europe's Ryder Cup success struck a chord.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? I'll go for Cork again in the hurling and Armagh in football.
Who will win the Premiership? Arsenal.
Who will win the Champions League? Real Madrid.
Who will win the Six Nations? Ireland.
Who will win the European Cup? Toulouse.
Who will win the Masters? Tiger Woods.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer.
One for the future: Dublin's Declan O'Mahony in football and Cork's Brian Murphy in hurling.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Five.
Hopes for 2005: To see Dublin football being successful.
Brian O'Driscoll - Rugby Player (Leinster)
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Winning the Triple Crown. It was the most memorable moment because our backs were against the wall five minutes into the second half against Scotland and we came good. Outside of rugby, the Ryder Cup. I loved every second and spent three days on the couch watching the action unfold.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Wexford in hurling and Dublin in football.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? AC Milan.
Who will win the Six Nations? Ireland.
Who will win the European Cup? Leinster. If not, Leicester.
Who will win the Masters? Jose Maria Olazabal.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Five of 15.
Hopes for 2005: For Ireland to qualify for the World Cup, in football.
Malachy Logan - Sports Editor
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Kenenisa Bekele's sensational last lap on his way to winning gold in the 10,000 metres in Athens.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Waterford and Armagh.
Who will win the Premiership? Hard to see anyone catching Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? Juventus.
Who will win the Six Nations? England, unfortunately.
Who will win the European Cup? Leicester.
Who will win the Masters? Davis Love III.
Who will win Wimbledon? Has to be Roger Federer.
One for the future: Kilmacud Crokes and Dublin footballer Mark Vaughan.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? four.
Ian O'Riordan - Athletics Correspondent
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: The 1,500m final at the Athens Olympics. Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco had dominated the event for eight years but had yet to win gold. The thrilling home-stretch battle with Kenya's Bernard Lagat was unforgettable.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Kerry are well positioned to retain the football title, while Waterford will be hard to beat in the hurling.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? Barcelona
Who will win the Six Nations? England.
Who will win the European Cup? Leinster.
Who will win the Masters? Retief Goosen.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer.
One for the future: 2004 saw Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele break the 5,000 and 10,000m world records, but apparently his younger brother Tariku is even more talented.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Four.
Gerry Thornley - Rugby Correspondent
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Plenty to choose from: Munster's rout of Gloucester at Thomond or THAT semi-final, but most happened on the same day. Girvan Dempsey sliding in by the Twickenham corner flag, the build-up to that brilliant try, Malcolm's tackle and, most of all, the full-time whistle.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Cork and Kerry.
Who will win the Premiership? Arsenal.
Who will win the Champions League? Milan look the strongest, but I've backed Arsenal at 10 to 1.
Who will win the Six Nations? Ireland have a great chance, and maybe the time is now.
Who will win the European Cup? Er, um, Lei . . . Munster.
Who will win the Masters? Vijay Singh.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer and one of the Russian girls.
One for the future: Denis Leamy.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v NZ? Five or six.
John Allen - Cork Hurling manager
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: When the final whistle was blown on All-Ireland final Sunday last September in Croke Park and we were definitely champions.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? I'll go with Cork but Kilkenny and Waterford will have a say. If Kerry can hold off the northern challenge they should retain their football title.
Who will win the Premiership? Chelsea, although Manchester United are coming good. Who will win the Champions League? Chelsea.
Who will win the Six Nations? Ireland.
Who will win the European Cup? Toulouse.
Who will win the Masters? Ernie Els.
One for the future: I like Laois hurling manager Paudie Butler's style. If they get a fair break and the players are made available they could make the breakthrough.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Three.
Hopes for 2005: To see good quality in hurling and football. Hopefully the new trial period rules will add to the games. And, of course, for Cork to be crowned All-Ireland champions.
John Treacy - CEO, Irish Sports Council
Favourite sporting moment of 2004: Ireland's win against England at Twickenham.
Who will win the All-Ireland hurling and football championships? Waterford in the hurling and Kerry to retain the football.
Who will win the Premiership? It's hard to bet against Chelsea.
Who will win the Champions League? A Chelsea double.
Who will win the Six Nations? Ireland to build on their recent success. Having both France and England at home may be the crucial factor.
Who will win the European Cup? I've seen Leinster a few times this year and they look good enough to win it.
Who will win the Masters? Ernie Els always shows well, but I think this will be the year when Padraig Harrington wins a major.
Who will win Wimbledon? Roger Federer.
One for the future: The boxer Andy Lee will make an impact this year.
How many Irish players will start for the Lions v New Zealand? Six.
Hopes for 2005: That Ireland can qualify for the World Cup in Germany.
