As I write, the 2009 campaign is underway as my own Mayo have faced up to the New York challenge in a Connacht championship opener. And before the month of May is out the engine will have cranked into further action with the arrival of The Sunday Game, the other provincial championships, sunny days, big crowds and all the colour, noise and atmosphere of championship days. But before we move forward, let's have a quick look in the rear view mirror. Congress, in their wisdom I believe, did not adopt the rules trialed during the national leagues. The main reason? Those same rules are not yet fit for championship action. It is true they are close to being right and already we have witnessed a move in the right direction. As mentioned in last month's column, it is best if the black card is removed and we return to the old two yellows, you are off and no replacement. While the black is not actually removed, it will no longer be shown to the player, and by extension the rest of us in the stadium, but it will be verbally transmitted to the player. That will lead to a couple of problems immediately: how will the rest of us know what exactly is happening and how the refs will remember who they informed verbally? Perhaps the officials have brilliant memories but I know from commentating on high octane championship matches, unless you are meticoulius with your notes, matters can get confused. For now I am willing to let the championship roll out and a review next September or October will suffice. Already the CCCC, under the chair of Seamus Woods from Tyrone, has laid down a marker by ordering a video review of the hurling league final between Tipperary and Kilkenny. But farce is never too far away in matters of GAA discipline. The proposed suspensions will NOT prevent any of the two players noted from playing in their championship games. Is there any sport that operates a system like this? You get suspended but don't miss a game? On the football league front, Munster flagged just how competitive they will be this year with the Division 1, 2 and 3 titles going south. And certainly Cork have announced they will be up there with the best of them in the race to win out next September. What about the championship for 2009 then? Overall Kerry are my tip for ultimate success this season but before you go racing to the bookmakers shop, let me remind you I went for them in 2008 also! Kerry have kept their form, have deepened their panel and are under a new management team. All told, those factors should provide the freshness and bounce that can often make the difference. The provinces are the usual mix of the predictable and the impossible to know. In Munster, Kerry should win but as ever Cork could beat them. The main point here is Kerry will make it to the All Ireland final no matter what path they travel. Out west it looks like Galway but Mayo will provide stiff opposition in the final. Galway's semi-final clash with Sligo in Markiviez Park has the look of a real tester about it and I cannot discount the challenge Roscommon will provide to Mayo in a semi-final in Castlebar. But home advantage for the Mayo men will see them through and home advantage for Galway in a final against Mayo should see Galway through. The message? Home venue in a championship match provides real advantage. Heading for Ulster is akin to a course in minefield clearance. Every round of the championship makes you stop and wonder just who will emerge? I am going for Derry to win out this year and feel the big losers could be Armagh if they fail to get momentum by defeating Tyrone in the quarter final game. In Leinster, it must be Dublin again. Kildare might be a dark horse after a very good league but outside of those two it is difficult to see a challenge. Looking down the order, teams such as Laois, Offaly and Westmeath added some spice in recent years but their loss of form does not bode well for their chances. I mentioned Armagh being very vulnerable this year. They are in transition, have lost a lot of their best and most inspirational players and no longer look an unbeatable ticket in Ulster. I might add Mayo to that list also and while I'm at it Monaghan are close to 'Last Chance Saloon' time too. All three will be under pressure to perform and get real results which translated means reaching the quarter finals as a minimum. And while the championship unfolds keep an eye out for the rookies we noticed during the league campaign. I am going to go for James Kielt as a star attraction in 2009 but will watch the progress of Aidan O'Shea and Tom Parsons (both from Mayo) David Moran, Anthony Maher and possibly BJ Walsh (Kerry), a last minute addition to their championship panel. All these players add a new dimension to Kerry, Derry and Mayo so, if they get their second wind, we can expect moves from each. In an overall sense, be happy the championship is upon us and even if times are tough, we know the next 20 weekends or so will provide entertainment and joy. At this point nobody knows who will win the provincial or ultimate title and that's the beauty of it all. We all have our goals and ambitions and a single win over a neighbour might be enough to keep us going into the winter. Tyrone won the title last year and remember that night in Newry when they lost to Down? Not many gave them much hope going forward into the Qualifiers. There will be frustrations along the way: your team will under-perform, there will be poor displays by match officials, cheating by players and displays of indiscipline from officials, management and players. It really should be ended once and for all but I am not holding my breath. Let's start positive - get the colours out, put the flags in the boot of the car and slip into the gerseys once again. It's time then to fill the tank and face the car for championship action. Enjoy the trip. Tweet

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