Gaelic football
The new playing rules will bring about the biggest upheaval in the game since it came into being almost 150 years ago – and the big question is… which county will the changes suit best?
Of course it’s impossible to know the answer at this point, but it would be fair to speculate that the traditionally stronger counties like Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone, Mayo, Derry and Galway will all probably get a handle on the rules quicker than most. My fancy for the All-Ireland title is in fact Donegal.
Jim McGuinness is as clever and capable a coach as there is around, and with Michael Murphy returning to the dressing room they will be the team to beat. Murphy didn’t come back just to win an Ulster title. Donegal are gunning for Sam.
What of Roscommon in 2025? I actually think they will have a good year. Promotion in the league and a Connacht title are certainly achievable targets for Davy Burke and his men.
Locally, St Brigid’s will surely be back as contenders with Roscommon Gaels and Padraig Pearses the most likely closest challengers.
Hurling
There are at least five genuine contenders to win the MacCarthy Cup and if there is even a fraction of the drama and excitement that we saw in 2024 then it will be another championship to savour. Limerick will be back for sure, but Cork look the most likely to take over from defending champions Clare.
Locally, the big question is can St Dominic’s kick on from 2024 and capture the Mickey Cunniffe Cup? It will also be an interesting year for Roscommon hurlers who could do well in the league and in the championship.
Ladies football
and camogie
Roscommon ladies footballers face a huge test in the league in Division Two. They have some glamour ties to look forward to, and those big games should bring them on.
The success of Leitrim in 2024 should give them great hope and inspiration for the championship too. With Finbar Egan in charge it will be a big year for the team.
There are great strides being made in camogie and hopefully all the young talent that we have seen in recent years can begin to come through at senior level.
Rugby
It’s another massive year for Ireland. Stuart Lancaster will be in charge of the team for the Six Nations as Andy Farrell is on Lions duty. Ireland are as good as any of the other top teams but it is hard not to fancy France for the title this year.
Leinster will be trying everything in their power to finally win that elusive Champions Cup this year after three final losses in a row. With a full team they might just do it this time around.
Golf
The Rory McIlroy debate will go on again this year as his winless streak in the majors continues. But he might end that famine this year in Portrush.
If Scottie Scheffler continues to play the way he did in 2024 he is set to dominate once more. The Ryder Cup in New York in September will be compulsive viewing again.
The British Open will once again be held in Portrush this year. Don’t rule out another win for Shane Lowry – who won at the same venue in 2019 – but McIlroy must be the favourite on one of his home courses.
Locally, watch out for the progress of young Roscommon Town star Olivia Costello who is gearing up for another big year in 2025.
Soccer
The Premier League title is now Liverpool’s to lose and they don’t look like slipping up. The demise of Manchester City looks inevitable now and Manchester United will continue to struggle until their new manager gets a number of new players in.
In the Champions League there could be a surprise winner this year. I am going to take a punt on Dortmund.
Here at home Ireland will be trying to qualify for the next World Cup. It will be an uphill struggle.
And finally…
The National Hunt scene and Cheltenham is set to be dominated once again by Willie Mullins, with Aidan O’Brien’s success on the flat also set to continue.
On the local scene we will be keeping a close eye on the progress of the O’Rourke sisters as they continue to shine in the boxing ring and Daire Feely will be front and centre on the cycling circuit both here and abroad. We wish them all the best of luck.
Seamus Duke’s CRYSTAL BALL
All-Ireland SFC: Donegal.
Connacht SFC: Roscommon.
Munster SFC: Kerry.
Leinster SFC: Dublin.
Ulster SFC: Donegal.
All-Ireland SHC: Cork.
Munster SHC: Limerick.
Leinster SHC: Dublin.
All-Ireland Ladies SFC: Armagh.
All-Ireland Senior Camogie: Galway.
Roscommon SFC: St Brigid’s.
Roscommon IFC: Strokestown.
Roscommon SHC: St Dominic’s.
Roscommon Ladies Football SFC: Clann na nGael. Roscommon Senior Camogie: Oran.
Premier League: Liverpool.
Relegated: Southampton, Leicester, Ipswich.
FA Cup: Chelsea.
Champions League: Borussia Dortmund.
League of Ireland Premier Division: Shamrock Rovers.
Six Nations: France.
Champions Cup: Leinster.
US Masters: Scottie Scheffler.
British Open: Rory McIlroy.
World Snooker Championship: Judd Trump.
Gold Cup: Galopin Des Champs.
Champion Hurdle: Lossiemouth.
