So the inter county season has finished and the roll of hour for 2007 is complete.

• Senior - Kilkenny
• Under 21 - Galway
• Minor - Tipperary
• League - Waterford

It was an exciting season, some great games, an unexpected all ireland pairing but the usual winner. Kilkenny emphasised their dominance again with a hugely impressive campaign where their average winning margin was around 10 points. Waterford did however turn them over in the league final to prove the cats aren’t unbeatable. Unfortunately for the Deise they then ran out of steam in the championship after a hectic schedule unfolded for them. Limerick and Richie Bennis provided the real drama of the season and they’ll surely be looking towards next season with relish although whether they can reproduce that level again is debatable.

In the other grades the Dublin under 21s provided some small ball excitement in the capital on their run to the final and along with the Leinster victory of their minors they’ve provided hope that in the coming years the Dubs may be able to produce a strong senior team capable of doing battle with Kilkenny. Galway deservedly won the under 21 in the end. The sideline cut taking of their young prodigy Joe Canning was a joy to watch. Joe decided not to play with the Galway seniors and and reports are he may do the same again next year. I’m sure Ger Loughnane would love to have him on board but he’s right to take his time, the amount of games that talented guys in that 17-21 group have to play between club/minor/under21/third level and senior is outrageous.

Tipperary put together back to back minor titles to provide the premier county with hope that their return to the senior roll of honour isn’t far away.

All that’s left now is the All Star team to be announced later in the year. Kilkenny, Waterford and Limerick should take most of those with perhaps Damien Fitzhenry of Wexford picking up one aswell.

Now our attention turns to the club scene. The county finals are starting to arrive and we’ll have some great action through that and into the provinical campaigns. The All Ireland champions Ballyhale Shamrocks have to do without their superstar Henry Shefflin as they bid to retain their titles. And if you can’t make it all around the county to catch these gamesTG4 can again be relied on to provide some great action on a Sunday afternoon.

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