Kevin Cassidy – Five teams with major potential in 2021

AS we all look forward to the resumption of the inter-county season I would like to look at the movers and shakers for the 2021 season. Although even at this early stage the season looks like being greatly impacted again by the current situation with growing concerns surrounding the National League.

We may have a shorter season than normal and who knows, we may even see a straight knockout with an open draw format should these restrictions continue well into the New Year.

All things considered, here are my top five teams as we head onto this new season.

1) Dublin
I don’t think it will surprise too many that Dublin remain top of the pile.

We asked ourselves could they do three in-a-row, then four, five was a big ask but as they now prepare to land their seventh in-a-row it really will take something special to stop them.

I do feel that last season’s low-key championship, lack of crowds and short season helped them massively and if it had been a normal season then I’m not sure they would have come through as easily.

Listen, they are the benchmark and they continue to set their own standards but I do feel that teams numbered two, three, four and five are not that far off them at this point and they will be beaten sooner rather than later.

2) Kerry
A disastrous season for them last year but I do still believe that they are the closest team to the Dubs.

There is no doubt about it they took their eye off the ball last year against Cork and they paid the ultimate price.

Last year’s hurt will drive them this year as they will be eager to make up for that slip and deep down they know that if they can get at Dublin they have the talent to cause them serious problems.

I like the look of them defensively as they have some very good ball players in defence who can cause you as much problems going forward as you cause them.

Their forward line is stacked with potential and now for them it’s all about showing that they can be consistent and turn up when it matters most. I expect big things from them in 2021.

3) Tyrone
This may come as a surprise to some but I feel that Tyrone will return to the top table now over the next few years.

The change in management will be refreshing and I feel that it will ignite this Tyrone team which is laden with talent.

With Cathal McShane back this year and young Darragh Canavan and Conor McKenna having a season under their belts at this level, there is an argument to be made that they might possibly have the best forward line in the country. No matter how you play against them these boys will take some watching.

We will keep an eye out to see if there is a major shift from Feargal Logan, Brian Dooher and their management team in terms of playing style, but when I look at their squad I put them at number three with no hesitation.

4) Mayo
I was impressed by Mayo last year and, in particular, the young lads they introduced. I felt the likes of Tommy Conroy. Eoghan McLaughlin and Mattie Ruane gave them something different and there was a spark about them.

Granted they have lost a rake of players to retirement over the last few weeks but for me that team had to change if they had any chance of making the breakthrough.

Teams must evolve every two years if they are to stand any chance of staying at the top and up until last year we got used to seeing the same old approach and personnel for Mayo, so it was refreshing to see some new faces last year and they looked a better team.

Galway will push them hard this year, so for Mayo it’s about backing up their work from last season and continuing to improve.

5) Donegal
Like Kerry they took their eye off the ball last year and paid the price against Cavan.

Early on they showed signs that perhaps they might have the tools to tackle Dublin but that fell flat on its face against the Breffni county.

Like Kerry, they will have to harness that hurt this season and use it to help them to drive themselves onto the next level.

Odhran McNacNiallais is back in the squad which is a massive boost and they will also be able to call upon Ciaran Gillespie after returning from injury so their squad will be improved massively.

Competition will be fierce up here this year with Tyrone coming strong, Monaghan will be there or there abouts and then it will be interesting to see if Cavan push on after last year’s win.

Donegal will be keen to hit the ground running this season and their approach will have to be one game at a time and ensure that they are not caught like last season.

After that the best of the rest include the likes of Monaghan and Cork, but I’ll also be keeping a close eye on Antrim this year with their impressive management team that they have in place.