Leitrim and New York got the ball rolling in the football on May 5th and it was a satisfying day for all connected with football in our wee country as we came away from the Big Apple with a 4-19 to 0-7 win. Fellow Eslin native, Tomas Beirne is pictured above running through a tackle by Lonan Maguire during his Man of the Match performance. However this was as good as it got for Leitrim and Beirne as he was one of the South Leitrim Four removed from the panel before the Connacht semi-final against London. ©INPHO/Ed Mulholland
"...And in the year 2013, Eoin Price descended from heaven...". On the same day that Leitrim were dismantling New York at the Gaelic Grounds, Westmeath lacked divine intervention as they lost to Antrim at Cusack Park ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
The road to Sam ended in final pain once again for Mayo, but the journey started in thrilling fashion as they destroyed Galway in the opening round in Connacht on May 19th. Andy Moran marked his return from injury with the fourth goal in a 4-16 to 0-11 rout. A list of adjectives to describe Moran's emotions would run out fast ©INPHO/James Crombie
So many people half-expected to see 2012 All Ireland champions Donegal come unstuck against Tyrone in the battle of the blanket defences. But Jimmy won again in Ballybofey. However, Tyrone would go further in the championship. Above, Sean Cavanagh had no-one to turn to as Donegal men piled on him ©INPHO/James Crombie
The first huge shock of the summer came in the hurling championship as Limerick disposed of one of the favourites Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds ©INPHO/James Crombie
A changing of the guard? There had been signs that the Cats' lives were running out but Dublin's victory over Kilkenny in a replay still proved to be a surprise. Dublin manager Anthony Daly and Kilkenny manager Brian Cody at the final whistle in Portlaoise ©INPHO/James Crombie
Jimbo First Blood!!! Jimmy Barry Murphy's Cork beat Clare in the Munster semi-finals. As Padraic Collins and the Banner lost their balance in this game, they would find their feet again in the punishing sequels. ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
The following day, London caused a shock as they reached the Connacht final after a replay at Dr Hyde Park - unfortunately at the expense of Leitrim. But the win was thoroughly deserved as London won a provincial tie for the first time since 1977.
The photo above shows the diverging direction of both teams' fortunes. ©INPHO/James Crombie
Both Kilkenny and Tipperary had been knocked out of their respective provinces earlier than anticipated. So the Gods of hurling decided to throw them together in a winner-takes-all grudge match in the qualifiers. The Cats lived to fight another day as Tipp's journey ended before the summer had really taken hold. ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
July 7th was a historic day for Dublin hurling as they won their first Leinster title in 52 years. After beating 2012 All Ireland finalists Galway in the final, David O'Callaghan's joy is understandable. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
The Limerick lads look happy about something...That something was a first Munster Hurling title since 1996 as they beat Cork in the final. And an added bonus was the fact the win came on home soil at the Gaelic Grounds. ©INPHO/James Crombie
Donegal had gone into the Ulster final expecting a third consecutive triumph. But pundits hadn't factored in Monaghan who beat Donegal at their own game by restricting the reigning All Ireland champions to 0-7. From Monaghan's perspective it was also a first provincial triumph in 25 years which is a good reason to break out the bubbly. ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Monaghan were not quite so happy in their next match as THAT Sean Cavanagh tackle marred proceedings against Tyrone in the All Ireland quarter final. The fallout would be of nuclear proportions but the Red Hand county progressed to the semis where they lost to Mayo, who had an easier time in their last-8 match...
Mayo sent a real signal of intent to the rest of the country at Croke Park on August 4th as they annihilated Donegal in the All Ireland quarter finals. Getting revenge for the 2012 All Ireland final defeat, Mayo put four goals past one of the best-drilled defences in the Championship. Donal Vaughan was one of the goalscorers. ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Kerry were on the end of a fair bit of flak in 2013 but won Munster before THE game of the Football Championship as they fell short against Dublin in a semi-final thriller. The respect between both sides is tangible in this post-battle photo of Bernard Brogan of Dublin with Marc O'Se of Kerry at the end of the game ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
And as we all know, Brogan went on to become the hero for Dublin as they beat Mayo in the All Ireland final on September 22nd.
A touching moment which represents what the All Ireland championships should be all about - passion and respect. Dublin's Jonny Cooper consoles Mayo goalkeeper Rob Hennelly at the final whistle. ©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
Davy Fitz was already a cult hero in Clare before his young team won the All Ireland hurling championship. Having built up a tough exterior and siege mentality during the journey, it all falls away as he collapses to his knees as he realizes the magnitude of Clare's achievement ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
An mhaith!
