Columns at this time of year being full of predictions for the season ahead, Sideline Cuts decided to look into its own crystal ball. The following events are guaranteed to happen in the "rst half of 2007, apparently.

January Wicklow win the O'Byrne Cup. A party is called across the garden to celebrate but 17 minutes later Rathnew and St Patrick's announce the withdrawal of their players due to a dispute dating back to a controversial point at an under-12 league game in 1952.

February Dublin and Tyrone open a new floodlit era in Croke Park. With Mickey Harte's comment that God himself couldn't have refereed that game still ringing in his ears, the Almighty decides to make an appearance. Six sendings off later, God is forced to abandon the match.

Mickey Harte says "I told you so", Nickey Brennan orders a replay with Gearoid O Conamha as referee.

The venue also hosts Ireland v France in the Six Nations. Both teams complain about the state of the pitch afterwards. Sean Boylan announces that he'd be interested in having a number of the Irish players on the next International Rules team.

"They're far better footballers than some of the lads I had in my panel last autumn, " he adds.

March Croke Park hosts Ireland v Wales in the Euro 2008 qualifier. Both teams complain about the state of the pitch afterwards. Sean Boylan announces that he wouldn't be interested in having any of the Irish players on the next International Rules team.

"Most of them wouldn't get a game in the Meath junior soccer league, " he says.

April The National Leagues are in full swing and Ger Loughnane is in full spate, complaining about the state of pitches everywhere. At his request, priests must sit by themselves at Galway matches rather than in groups of three.

May New York defeat Sligo in the first round of the Connacht championship. Having jumped out of a white van before their dismissal of former manager Dom Corrigan last year, the Sligo county board decide surprise is the best way forward. Tommy Brehany is awarded a new fouryear contract that allegedly makes him the highest paid manager in the country.

June John O'Mahony's General Election hopes fade after Mayo's disastrous league campaign. He resigns with Mickey Moran, John Maughan and Jack O'Shea announced as jointreplacements. John Morrison is heard to praise the appointments.

More prognostications next week.