2016 All - Ireland Winners predictions?

The finals are 8-9 months away and each season takes on its own shape but at this stage it's hard to make an argument for anyone bar the obvious two. Kilkenny and Dublin.

In the hurling, the big question is who is equipped to beat Kilkenny in a knockout match and it's hard to make a strong case for any team.

Waterford took big steps forward last year and looked genuine contenders in May and June but on the bigger days their game plan was a bit limited to be anything more than competitive. Can they evolve this year and give themselves the platform to put a winning score on the board in big games. 14-17 points may win 1 in 10 big games but usually isn't near enough even in a defensive battle. More importantly can they generate the belief within their squad that they are good enough. Their game against Clare is huge for both sides season. Don't see either making a significant impact if they lose that.

Clare have strengthened their backroom team and to me they are the one team who if they get themselves right may make a big impact on the championship. They do start in division 1b though and you'd question after 4 years of Davy if the mood is right in the camp. Clare limped out badly in 2014 which was forgivable but last year never even raised a gallop.

Hard to know where Tipperary are at. Plenty of underage promise but with the clearout of older players we'll have to see how the squad and new management blend. Would expect to see them in the Munster final at least.

Limerick had a good u21 team this year but were a huge let down last year. I think the spine of the older lads took them as far as they could. They'll take a year or two to rebuild imo.

Cork are Cork and will probably come up with a big result at some stage. Its easy forget they were seconds away from winning an All-Ireland in 2013 with a mediocre side so they can never be completely ruled out but they are going to take time to re-emerge as All-Ireland contenders imo.

I'd love for Galway to do it but we usually follow up a season of promise with a bad year. The change in management situation leaves big questions and places huge pressure on the players. The capitulation when Kilkenny upped the tempo on both big days last year and in 2014 (as well as against Tipp in 2014) leaves even bigger questions over the mentality of the team. The performances against Cork and in particular Tipperary show the capability of this team. Galway did make progress last year but for me we need to find replacements for the likes of Tannian, Smith, Collins even Donnellan. Full back was kind of a make do job last year too. Potential is there but a whole host of question marks as always with Galway.

Wexford are slowly improving but the u21 collapse following on from the hiding against Kilkenny and being blown away in the first half against Cork stalled any momentum they got from 2013. They may take Dublin in the quarter final but that would mean having to face Kilkenny. Dublin look in disarray and will have a short season imo.

The only real thing I can see stopping Kilkenny is a bad run of injuries as undoubtedly 16-30 isn't anywhere near as strong as a few years back. Kilkenny and Cody never seem to run out of motivation. They were very stale in 2013 following on from an extended 2012. Hard to see them making the same mistake again.

In football the contenders are limited. Dublin never pushed on the following year after their previous AI victories in 2011 and 2013. 2012 they were never at the right level. 2014 they were hyped up too much and were deservedly blitzed by Donegal. They picked it up just when they needed to last year. They were poor against Westmeath and Fermanagh and the first day against Mayo were there for the taking. 2nd day against Mayo they were vulnerable after Mayo's goal but stepped it up at the right time and had the bench to kill the game off. They deservedly beat Kerry in the final. They have the best panel in the country but again have the challenge of peaking at the right time after demolishing everyone in Leinster.

Eamonn Fitzmaurice has done superbly with Kerry imo but last year's final was a big let down. Like Kilkenny they deal with retirements and lads getting old and still stay strong. They are setup for an earlier meeting with Dublin this year. I have a feeling Cork may be due to take them at home in Munster.

Mayo have a new management team but its the guts of the same panel who have come up short over the last 5 years. Mayo have played some great stuff and have played a huge part in saving the championship from being a complete washout over the last couple of years. This year they are on Ulster's side of the draw so are mapping a course to the final but they may hit a roadblock before then. It'll be interesting to see if they run in to Roscommon how they fare even if it is in Castlebar.

Tyrone, Donegal and Cork may take a provincial crown and/or a scalp like Kerry or Mayo but aren't All-Ireland contenders imo. I'd hope to see further evidence of progress from Tyrone this year.

Being honest, the only excitement in the championship up to the latter stages will likely be seeing how the likes of Kildare, Roscommon and Tipperary progress.