2012 Alamo Bowl, Teams, Texas
Following a second and final bye week, Texas faced recently joined Big 12 member TCU on Thanksgiving. Prior to 2012, Texas annually played against Texas A&M on Thanksgiving in the Lone Star Showdown, but ended after Texas A&M joined the SEC. Texas would lose the homecoming game, 13–20. Texas' final regular season and Big 12 Conference game was against No. 6 Kansas State. Texas lost the game 24–42. Notably, Kansas State scored 35 points in the second half of the game alone. Kansas State would be the eventual 2012 Big 12 Champion.


2012 Alamo Bowl, Teams, Texas
The Texas Longhorns finished the regular season with eight wins and four losses, matching the previous season's win total for the entire season, including the win against California in the Holiday Bowl. Texas also recorded a 5–4 conference record, which placed third in the Big 12, an increase of three places from 2011. In addition, Texas finished unranked in both the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll, but remained ranked No. 23 in the BCS Rankings.


2012 Alamo Bowl, Teams, Oregon State
Oregon States has a 2-0 record in bowl games played in the State of Texas (2-0 in Sun Bowl). The 2012 team has the school's best points per game record averaging 33.0 points per game. Its scoring defense ranks 22nd in FBS allowing 19.75 points per game, while its rushing defense ranks 28th allowing 130.5 yards per game. The Beavers led the Pac-12 for red zone efficiency at 90.6 percent (48-53).


2012 Alamo Bowl, Teams, Oregon State
Under the school's winningest head coach Mike Riley (81 victories), All-America senior cornerback Jordan Poyer led the Pac-12 with seven interceptions and was second in FBS with 0.64 interceptions per game. During the season, wide receiver Markus Wheaton set a career reception record with 224 catches. Wheaton had 88 passes for 1,207 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Brandin Cooks had 64 receptions for 1,120 yards. At the end of the season Wheaton was 11th (100.6 ypg) and Cooks was 21st (93.3 ypg) in the nation.


2012 Alaska Republican presidential caucuses
The 2012 Alaska Republican presidential caucuses were held Super Tuesday, March 6, 2012. The presidential preference poll portion of the caucuses was scheduled between 4 pm and 8 pm local time (which is 8 pm to midnight EST) at locations across the state and one caucus in Washington, D.C.


2012 Alaska Republican presidential caucuses
Similar to the 2012 Nevada caucuses, the results of the presidential preference poll will be used to directly and proportionately apportion 24 national convention delegates among the candidates. Another 3 super delegates are unbound and not determined by the caucus results.


2012 Alaska elections
The 2012 Alaska general elections were held on November 6, 2012. Primary elections were held on August 28, 2012.


2012 Alaska elections, U.S. House of Representatives
Republican incumbent Don Young, who has represented Alaska's at-large congressional district since 1973, was running for re-election. He defeated John Cox, a retired Navy officer who also ran for the seat in 2010, and Terre Gales, an asset manager and Air Force veteran, in the Republican primary.


2012 Alaska elections, U.S. House of Representatives
State Representative Sharon Cissna sought and received the Democratic nomination to challenge Young. She defeated Debra Chesnut, a nurse and businesswoman; Matt Moore, a businessman; Doug Urquidi, a construction worker and Army veteran; and, Frank Vondersaar, a lawyer and perennial candidate, in the Democratic primary.


2012 Alaska elections, U.S. House of Representatives
Jim McDermott, a business professor, ran as the Libertarian nominee. Ted Gianoutsos was running as an Independent, while Clinton Desjarlais, Fletcher Fuller Jr., and Sidney Hill were running as write-ins.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, Senate
Because of redistricting, 19 out of the 20 members of the Alaska Senate were up for election. The state Senate was evenly split between 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans, but consists of a bipartisan coalition majority made up of all 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans, with the remaining 4 Republicans making up the minority.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, Senate
District C: This was a new seat, with no current incumbent.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, Senate
District D (old District G): Republican incumbent and Coalition member Linda Menard was defeated in the primary.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, Senate
District H: This was a new seat, with no current incumbent.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, Senate
District O (old District Q): Republican incumbent and Coalition member Thomas Wagoner was defeated in the primary.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
All 40 members of the Alaska House of Representatives were up for election. The state House currently consists of 24 Republicans and 16 Democrats, of which 22 Republicans and 4 Democrats make up the majority caucus.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 1: This was a new seat, with no current incumbent.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 5: This was a new seat, with no current incumbent.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 9: This was a new seat, with no current incumbent.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 13: This was a new seat, with no current incumbent.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 15 (old District 24): Democratic incumbent Berta Gardner was running for the District H state Senate seat.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 16 (old District 25): Democratic incumbent Mike Doogan  was retiring.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 17 (old District 22): Democratic incumbent Sharon Cissna was running for the at-large congressional seat.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 26 (old District 17): Republican incumbent Anna Fairclough was running for the District M state Senate seat.


2012 Alaska elections, State Legislature, House of Representatives
District 40: Democratic incumbent Reggie Joule was retiring, running for mayor of Northwest Arctic Borough.


2012 Albanian Supercup
Albanian Supercup 2012 is the 19th edition of the Albanian Supercup since its establishment in 1989. The match was contested between the 2011–12 Albanian Cup winners KF Tirana and the 2011–12 Albanian Superliga champions Skënderbeu Korçë.


2012 Albanian presidential election
Indirect presidential elections were held in Albania on 30 May, 4, 8 and 11 June 2012, the seventh such elections since the collapse of the communist regime in 1991. The first through third rounds of voting were inconclusive. The fourth round resulted in the incumbent party's member Bujar Nishani being elected as President.


2012 Albanian presidential election
The President of Albania is elected through a secret vote and without debate by the Parliament of Albania by a majority of three-fifths majority of all its members. The Constitution of Albania sets a limit to a maximum of two terms in office. When this majority is not reached in the first round of voting, a second round takes place within seven days. If such a majority is still not reached, a third round must take place within a further period of seven days.


2012 Albanian presidential election
If even in the first three rounds no candidate has attained the necessary majority, a further two rounds must be held within seven days, with the majority needed to win being reduce to an absolute majority or 50% +1 vote of the total Members of the Parliament. If after five rounds of voting no candidate has attained the necessary majority outlined for each round of voting in the Parliament, the Parliament will be dissolved and a general election must occur within 60 days.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Candidates
While the two major parties (the ruling Democratic Party and the oppositional Socialist Party) are bickering about the name of the new Head of State, some smaller parties have already proposed their candidates. The Albanian Christian Democratic Movement has formally announced the current Speaker of Parliament Jozefina Topalli as their presidential nominee, this was a surprising choice as Topalli has widely been seen and speculated upon by the media as the potential Democratic Party candidate for the post.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Candidates
Other smaller parties have also presented their candidates. The Democratic Alliance Party has officially proposed the name of its current leader Neritan Ceka as the party's nominee for the presidential race. For the representative of this party Ceka has all the chances to be chosen as a compromise candidate and win the support of all the parties.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Candidates
Aleko Gjergjo and Hajredin Fratari are the two candidates that have been proposed by the Democratic National Front Party.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Candidates
A name that has been speculated upon by the media to be a strong contender in the presidential race is that of former Prime Minister and presidential candidate Fatos Nano. He received only 3 votes in the previous presidential election held in 2007 because most members of the opposition coalition led by the Socialist Party did not support him, however, and chose to boycott this Presidential Election.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Candidates
Unity for Human Rights Party have officially stated its support for Nano's nomination.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Candidates
The full name list proposed by the majority Berisha-Meta Cabinet:


2012 Albanian presidential election, Candidates
The full name list individually proposed by the deputies of Socialist Party:


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, First round
The Socialist Party rejected Zaganjori, as the first round of voting on 30 May failed without a vote. It accused the Democratic Party of not consulting them over the move to elect Zaganjori. Parliamentary speaker Jozefina Topalli said that "I urge all political parties to pursue a spirit of acceptance, and then the solution will come in the second or third round."


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Second round
The Democratic Party insisted on naming Zaganjori, with Prime Minister Sali Berisha saying that "we've done our part, we gave up our initial positions, renouncing a political candidature and take a step towards the opposition in order to reach a mutual agreement. Let's hope the opposition do their part now." The Socialist Party countered in saying that Zaganjori's nomination was put forward unilaterally and asked for more negotiations to reach a compromise. The Leader of the Opposition Edi Rama said that "our objective is to give the country a head of state who receives support both from the government and the opposition. We aren't laying out any conditions. The government must make it possible for us to also make a contribution."


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Third round
On 8 June, no vote was taken as there was no candidate following the Socialist Party's rejection of Zaganjori. Zaganjori then  withdrew his candidacy, stating that he wanted to be elected as a consensus candidate and as the opposition did not trust him he did not want to be elected with the governing party's votes alone.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
On 10 June, the day before the vote, a meeting between the leaders of the Socialist Party, the Democratic Party, the Socialist Movement for Integration and Justice for Integration and Unity was inconclusive, the proposed candidates for the first list were: Arben Imami (Minister of Defense), Bujar Nishani (Minister of Interior), Artan Hoxha (columnist), Petraq Milo (prime minister's adviser). A second non-political list included: Edmond Islamaj (member of Supreme Court of Albania), Vitore Tusha also member of Supreme Court, Ledio Bianku. The Socialist Movement for Integration's Ilir Meta said the consensus candidate would be Hoxha, although the opposition was rumoured to have named Pandeli Majko as their candidate


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
On the day of the vote, Hoxha withdrew his candidacy saying:


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
Until yesterday night I hoped that the presidential process would have the minimal spirit of understanding and consensus, and this morning, after receiving hundreds of congratulatory messages, with some of them coming from Socialist Party members, I have continued to hope that the presidential process still promised consensus. But seeing the aggressive stances of Socialist exponents and their media, including slander and blackmail, I reached the conclusion that the presidential process cannot have the minimum of civilization, and due to the political interests, the process will not be allowed to contribute the civil factors. I have followed the presidential process very closely and have commented for a reasonable and consensual reason. I thought to contribute in the last session for the same goal, but based on what I declared above, I cannot be part of this process which apparently warns a storm.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
The Democratic Party's parliamentary leader, Astrit Patozi, said that Nishani would be the candidate at a voting session at 17:00. The Socialist Party's Edi Rama also said that Fatos Nano would not be the party's candidate: "If Nano’s candidacy would be consensual, we would not break the consensus, but he cannot be our candidate, because we cannot break our principles and ruin Albania’s opportunity for the EU candidate status." He also said the Socialist Party would never support Hoxha as "it is unacceptable for a minister to become president, especially in a time of crisis like the one we’re in."


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
Nano reacted to the Socialist Party's decision in saying that "this is the moment when the party leaders should think beyond their close political accounts that have deteriorated Albania, and show their full responsibility for the love of the country, with its values and merits that a European country deserves." He also said that he proposed himself as a consensus candidate to bring about a solution and preface a possible Socialist Party win in the next parliamentary election, as well as a win for all Albanians.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
The vice leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration, Petrit Vasili, would support an agreement with the Democratic Party to choose a president. The head of the United for Humans Right party, Vangjel Dule, said that: "The majority still showed that they cannot elect the President, even with simple majority. I appeal the opposition and Edi Rama, since we have an incapable majority, to not allow the opposition to avoid the political battle, but offer its alternative through Fatos Nano." The Party for Justice, Integration and Unity's Shpetim Idrizi also said that the Socialist Party should support Nano’s candidacy. Gazmend Oketa, one of the founders of the New Democratic Spirit, added to calls for a consensus candidate president. "Our country needs consensus, and our country seems on the brink of early elections."


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
The final vote came despite calls from the Western world for a consensus candidate. On 11 June, 76 voted were cast. However, two MPs filed a white vote. Nishani was elected with 73 votes. He then shook hands with MPs but did not make a speech.


2012 Albanian presidential election, Election, Fourth round
European Union's ambassador to Albania, Ettore Sequi, issued a statement that read: "The role of the president in anchoring Albania's state institutions in independence and in helping the country unite its efforts will be of crucial importance for Albania to successfully address the challenges it faces on its path towards the European Union."


2012 Albany Great Danes football team
The 2012 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany, SUNY in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by 40th year head coach Bob Ford and played their home games at University Field. They were a member of the Northeast Conference.


2012 Albany Great Danes football team
The 2012 season was the end of an era for Albany football. It was the Great Danes' final season as a member of the Northeast Conference as they will join the Colonial Athletic Association in 2013. It was also their final season at University Field, as they will begin CAA play at the new Bob Ford Field.


2012 Albany Great Danes football team
The Great Danes finished the season 9–2, 7–1 in NEC play to claim a share of the conference title with Wagner. Due to their head to head lost with Wagner, Albany did not receive the conference's automatic bid into the FCS playoffs and they did not receive an at-large bid.


2012 Albany Panthers season
The 2012 Albany Panthers season was the third season as a professional indoor football franchise and their first in the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL).


2012 Albany Panthers season
The team played their home games under head coach Lucious Davis at the James H. Gray Civic Center in Albany, Georgia.


2012 Albany Panthers season
The Panthers finished their 2012 regular season at 10-2, with their two losses coming on the road and by a combined score of three points, clinching the #1 seed in the playoffs. They beat the Columbus Lions 60-36 in the first round, ensuring they would host their second straight championship game. The Panthers were quarterbacked by both Cecil Lester and Darnell Kennedy. On June 30, 2012, they won PIFL Cup I, 60-56, against the Richmond Raiders. The win gave the Panthers back-to-back Championships, while playing in two different leagues. The win also increased their home winning streak to eleven games.


2012 Albany Panthers season, Roster
Rookies in italics updated July 1, 201318 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS


2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament
The 2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament was the 26th edition of the Albert Schweitzer Tournament. 16 teams featured the competition, held in Mannheim and Viernheim from April 7–14.


2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament, Group stages, First Round
In this round, the 16 teams were allocated in four groups of four teams each. The top three advanced to the Second Round. The last two teams of each group played in the Classification Games.


2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Alberta's women's provincial curling championship, was held from January 25 to 29 at the Leduc Curling Club in Leduc, Alberta. The winning team of Heather Nedohin, represented Alberta at the 2012 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Red Deer, Alberta, where they finished round robin with a 7-4 record, which was enough to finish 4th place and clinch a spot in the playoffs. The team would go on to win both the 3-4 game and the semi-final. They would face British Columbia in the final, where for the first time in fourteen years, Alberta would win the Scotties.


2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Qualification Process
Twelve teams will qualify for the provincial tournament through several berths. The qualification process is as follows:


2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Teams
* McRorie replaced Bronwen Webster, who is pregnant and sitting out the rest of the season.


2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying Events, Northern Qualification
The Northern Qualification for the 2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts took place from January 6 to 8 at the Thistle Curling Club in Edmonton. The event qualified three teams to the provincial playdowns.


2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying Events, Northern Qualification, Teams
* Appleman withdrew from the competition but was included in the event. Each team scheduled against Appleman received a bye to the next draw.


2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying Events, Southern Qualification
The Southern Qualification for the 2012 Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts took place from January 6 to 9 at the Airdrie Curling Club in Airdrie. The event qualified three teams to the provincial playdowns.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election
The 2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, formally the 4th Senate nominee election of Alberta, was held to elect three nominees for appointment to the Senate of Canada to represent the province of Alberta. It was to be held in the fall of 2010, but was delayed by then-Premier Ed Stelmach. His successor, Alison Redford, announced that it would be held in conjunction with the 2012 provincial election, before June 1, 2012. On March 26, it was announced that it would be held April 23, 2012. The results followed the provincial election closely, with the Progressive Conservatives winning all three positions, and the Wildrose Party a close second.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Background
Alberta is the only province to hold elections for nominees to the Senate. The elections, held under Alberta's Senate Selection Act, are not binding on the prime minister when he advises the governor general on appointments to the Senate. Under the act, the number of Senate nominees, also known as senators-in-waiting to be elected is set by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council when issuing the writ of election.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Background
The Lieutenant Governor, also on the advice of ministers, also sets the term for senators-in-waiting. At the time senators-in-waiting were elected at the 2004 election, the term was six years from the date of the election. As discussed below, those terms were extended to the earlier of December 13, 2013, or the issuance of writs for a new election. Under regulations issued January 20, 2012, senators-in-waiting will be elected for terms ending when new writs are issued. This gives the premier the flexibility to call new Senate nominee elections at will. As seen with Premier Stelmach, the premier effectively had this power under the previous regulations by retaining the ability to amend them.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Background, Reversal and term extension
Premier Ed Stelmach announced in October 2009 that new Senate nominee elections would be held because the incumbents' terms were set to end on November 22, 2010. The PC Government announced on April 29, 2010, that it was extending the terms of the three senators-in-waiting beyond November 22, 2010, to December 2, 2013, unless elections were called earlier. The Government said the move would save Albertans the cost of the election. The announcement came two days after the federal government introduced Senate election legislation and urged the other provinces to follow Alberta's lead in Senate reform.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Background, Reversal and term extension
Reaction from the incumbent senators-in-waiting was mixed. Independent Link Byfield panned the decision and has stated he would refuse an appointment without a new mandate. Betty Unger stated the term limits should be respected and fresh elections should be called that fall.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Background, Reversal and term extension
Progressive Conservative Cliff Breitkreuz supported the decision to extend the appointments and stated that he won't run again in a new election. All three incumbents and other pundits agreed that the move was made to help the Progressive Conservatives avoid an election loss to the Wildrose Alliance. The Wildrose Alliance stated it would proceed with nominating new Senate candidates at its 2010 convention.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
There are thirteen candidates registered, nominated between three provincial political parties and independents. The governing Progressive Conservatives, who won three positions in the 2004 Senate nominee nominated a full slate of three candidates.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
Mike Shaikh, who is chair of Calgary Police Commission, former member of the Canadian Association of Police Boards and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team, Current Board of Governors member and past Senator of the University of Calgary, and a Board Member of the Alberta Children's Hospital. One of his visions as a Senator would be to build a National Safe Communities Program. He also believes in recognizing, rewarding and celebrating volunteerism and philanthropy. However, his top priority in his platform would be to help all Canadians understand the importance of Alberta's energy resources to the nation. Mike Shaikh, has received both the Premier Klein Leader Service Award and the University of Calgary Distinguished Alumni MAX Award.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
The Wildrose, who ran three candidates under its former Alberta Alliance banner in 2004, has three nominated. On March 27, 2012, Elections Alberta determined that one candidate, Jeff Callaway, was ineligible to run, due to not filing a financial statement on time in the 2008 provincial election.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
The new Evergreen Party of Alberta has nominated a single candidate, Elizabeth Johannson, in the hope to have a better chance to elect its candidate under the multiple vote ballot. The federal Green Party of Canada and its leader Elizabeth May have endorsed running a Senate nominee.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
Rounding out the field are six independent candidates, including, David Fletcher, an original member/supporter of the Canadian Committee for a Triple E Senate and a 3rd generation Albertan, William Exelby, a Certified Management Accountant; Len Bracko, a former provincial Liberal MLA for St. Albert; Paul Frank, BA, JD, LL.L (summa cum laude), graduate of the National Law Program at the University of Ottawa, a lawyer and a Prosecutor for the City of Calgary and University of Alberta professor Ian Urquhart.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
Fletcher is a licensed Real Estate Appraiser who holds a CRA (Canadian Residential Appraiser)  designation. He is a founding member/supporter of the Canadian Committee for a Triple E Senate and presented a brief to the Senate Committee on Banking in 1990 against the GST. He plans on proposing a constitutional amendment on Senate Reform which would better reflect the Canada of 2012 vs 1867 in order to increase the representation from the west. He also plans on sitting as an Independent in order to lobby senators from all parties.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
Exelby is a graduate and distinguished alumni of Grant MacEwan Community College. He joined Deloitte and Touche where he earned his CMA designation and Trustee License. Exelby is also an acclaimed specialist in forensic accounting. His firm Exelby & Partners Ltd. has seven offices in northern Alberta and is a leading financial service firm in the province. As a senator, his priorities include, fighting for an accountable, effective and elected senate. He plans to lobby the government to scrap committee pay at all levels of Government.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
He also has the goal of building a better "capture" system for public opinion through public forums, direct mail campaigns, phone contact and digital media. Exelby has committed to channel his senatorial salary into improving data collection so as to represent Albertans' views and making the Canadian Senate work for Albertans.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
Urquhart worked for the federal Progressive Conservatives in 1980s, but has been critical of Stephen Harper's current government. He's running to push for environmental issues and a less toxic partisan tone in Ottawa.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Candidates
Frank has an undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary and law degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Ottawa. He is a long-time public servant whose legal career is based on representing the public interest in all levels of court. Frank is running as an independent conservative candidate as he believes that Senate candidates should not be tied to provincial parties or provincial party platforms. His only political affiliation is with the Conservative Party of Canada. Frank believes in and supports Senate elections, Senate accountability and set term limits for all senators.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Results
Electors voted for up to three candidates. The three candidates with the most votes were elected Senate Nominees, and as Senate vacancies arose, each was recommended to the Governor-General by order of total votes. On January 25, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Doug Black to the Senate, and on March 25, 2013, Scott Tannas was appointed.


2012 Alberta Senate nominee election, Results, By candidate
Official poll results as per report posted by Elections Alberta:


2012 Alberta general election
The 2012 Alberta general election was held on April 23, 2012, to elect members of the 28th Legislative Assembly of Alberta. A Senate nominee election was called for the same day.


2012 Alberta general election
During the 2011 Progressive Conservative Association leadership election, eventual winner Alison Redford stated that if she became Premier she intended to pass legislation setting a fixed election date. After taking office, her government introduced a bill relating to the timing of elections, which was passed on December 6, 2011. Unlike other fixed election date legislation in Canada, the 2011 Election Amendment Act fixes the election to a three-month period, between March 1 and May 31 in the fourth calendar year. However, like other legislation, this does not affect the powers of the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the Legislature before this period. The writs of elections were dropped March 26, 2012.


2012 Alberta general election
Although the Wildrose Party led opinion polls for much of the campaign, on election night the Progressive Conservatives defied expectations to win 61 seats – a net loss of only five – en route to their 12th consecutive majority government. The victory made Redford the third woman elected in her own right as a provincial premier in Canada (after Catherine Callbeck in Prince Edward Island in 1993, and Kathy Dunderdale in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011), and the first woman elected premier in a province outside Atlantic Canada. On September 4, 2014, the Alberta PC Party became the longest-running provincial government in Canadian history.


2012 Alberta general election, Background, 27th Legislature
The 27th Alberta Legislature saw a significant decline in the polls for the governing Progressive Conservatives (PCs) and the popularity of Premier Ed Stelmach.


2012 Alberta general election, Background, 27th Legislature
The Wildrose Party has been the primary beneficiary of voter migration in opinion polls from the governing party, after former leader Paul Hinman won a by-election, and the party elected Danielle Smith as leader. On January 4, 2010, the Wildrose caucus became the third party, displacing the New Democrats, when PC MLAs Rob Anderson (Airdrie-Chestermere) and Heather Forsyth (Calgary-Fish Creek) joined the Wildrose. Later in 2010, former PC cabinet minister Guy Boutilier (Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo) joined the Wildrose, becoming its fourth MLA. However, their support has waned in the past year, as have polling fortunes for the Liberal Party. Alberta's NDP has doubled their results in recent polls compared to their percentage in the last election.


2012 Alberta general election, Background, 27th Legislature
The Liberals have lost two MLAs since the previous election — Dave Taylor (Calgary Currie) to sit as an independent, before becoming the first MLA for the Alberta Party; and Bridget Pastoor (Lethbridge-East) who crossed the floor to join the PC caucus, in November, 2011. However, the Liberals gained one in selecting Raj Sherman (Edmonton-Meadowlark) as their leader in September 2011, who had been ejected from the PC caucus in November 2010.


2012 Alberta general election, Background, 27th Legislature
On January 25, 2011, Ed Stelmach abruptly announced that he would not seek re-election, and would resign as leader of the Progressive Conservatives and as premier after a successor was chosen. Alison Redford was chosen as Stelmach's successor on October 1, 2011, and her election has improved the fortunes of her party in opinion polls. Her new government presented six pieces of legislation, the most notable of which regarded fixed election dates, an investigation into health care, and tougher penalties for impaired driving. All six bills were passed in the fall 2011 sitting of the 27th Legislature.


2012 Alberta general election, Background, 27th Legislature
The 2012 election is a result of the fixed election legislation, which fixed the date of the next provincial election in Alberta between March 1 and May 31, 2012, and requires subsequent elections in that period in the fourth calendar year thereafter. The law does not affect the ability of Alberta's Lieutenant-Governor to dissolve the assembly and call an election before that time. However, that is not likely to occur during majority governments. The legislature was dissolved and the writs were dropped on March 26, 2012.


2012 Alberta general election, Background, Green Party dispute
A year after the previous general election the Alberta Greens became mired in an internal dispute that resulted in the collapse of the party, and its de-registration by Elections Alberta. Some of the former Green party executive, including former deputy leader Edwin Erickson, eventually joined the Alberta Party, while others regrouped and founded the Evergreen Party of Alberta.


2012 Alberta general election, Results
As indicated on the maps, the rural vote split largely on regional lines. Wildrose support was concentrated largely in Southern Alberta while the party won only one seat north of the 53rd parallel, while the PCs were reduced to just one seat in rural Southern Alberta. Wildrose won only three urban seats (two in Calgary and one in Medicine Hat) while the PC's won the majority of seats in both Calgary and Edmonton, swept Edmonton's suburbs and swept the two seats contested in each of Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and Red Deer. The Liberals were confined to the two largest cities, winning three seats in Calgary and two in Edmonton. The New Democrats won all four of their seats in Edmonton.


2012 Alberta general election, Results
The PCs polled about 44 percent of the popular vote, and four cabinet ministers were defeated. The Wildrose won 17 seats to become the Official Opposition for the first time. It was a net increase of thirteen seats for the party, although two of the four Wildrose incumbents (Guy Boutilier and Paul Hinman) were defeated by their PC challengers. The party polled more than 34 percent of the popular vote, more than five times their share in the previous election, and finished a close second in dozens of constituencies.


2012 Alberta general election, Results
The Liberals saw their share of the vote plummet by almost two thirds and polled under ten percent for the first time since 1982. The result therefore appeared to give credence to speculation that Liberal voters from last election would vote "strategically" in a bid to defeat the Wildrose Party. Nevertheless, the five Liberal incumbents seeking re-election all managed to hold on their seats, with the Liberals losing the three seats where their incumbents did not run again. It is the Liberals' lowest seat total since the 1986 election. The Liberals were relegated to third party status in the Legislature for the first time since 1993.


2012 Alberta general election, Results
The New Democrats won four seats, double their previous total and enough to secure official party status in the Legislature. Both NDP incumbents were re-elected. The NDP polled just under ten percent of the vote, marginally less than the Liberals' share and a modest increase from the last election.


2012 Alberta general election, Opinion polls
Graph of polling from the 2008 election to the 2012 election


2012 Alberta general election, Opinion polls
Graph of polling during the 2012 election showing trends by polling firm and party


2012 Alberta general election, Opinion polls
The following is a summary of opinion polls leading up to the 2012 election.


2012 Alberta municipal censuses
Alberta has provincial legislation allowing its municipalities to conduct municipal censuses between April 1 and June 30 inclusive. Municipalities choose to conduct their own censuses for multiple reasons such as to better inform municipal service planning and provision, to capitalize on per capita based grant funding from higher levels of government, or to simply update their populations since the last federal census.


2012 Alberta municipal censuses
Alberta had 359 municipalities between April 1 and June 30, 2012, up from 358 during the same three-month period in 2011. At least 58 of these municipalities (16.2%) conducted a municipal census in 2012. Alberta Municipal Affairs recognized those conducted by 55 of these municipalities. By municipal status, it recognized those conducted by 8 of Alberta's 17 cities, 23 of 108 towns, 8 of 95 villages, 4 of 51 summer villages, 1 of 5 specialized municipalities, 3 of 64 municipal districts and all 8 Metis settlements. In addition to those recognized by Municipal Affairs, censuses were conducted by the City of St. Albert, the Village of Beiseker and Strathcona County (a specialized municipality).


2012 Alberta municipal censuses
Some municipalities achieved population milestones as a result of their 2011 censuses. Calgary surpassed 1.1 million while the cities of Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan surpassed the 25,000 and the 20,000 marks respectively. Chestermere, Alberta's fourth-largest town, surpassed 15,000 residents.


2012 Alberta municipal censuses, Municipal census results
The following summarizes the results of the numerous municipal censuses conducted in 2012.


2012 Alberta municipal censuses, Breakdowns, Hamlets
The following is a list of hamlet populations determined by 2012 municipal censuses conducted by Strathcona County and the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo excluding the urban service areas of Fort McMurray and Sherwood Park that are presented above.


2012 Alberta municipal censuses, Shadow population counts
Alberta Municipal Affairs defines shadow population as "temporary residents of a municipality who are employed by an industrial or commercial establishment in the municipality for a minimum of 30 days within a municipal census year." The RM of Wood Buffalo conducted a shadow population count in 2012. The following presents the results of this count for comparison with its concurrent municipal census results.


2012 Albirex Niigata season
The 2012 Albirex Niigata season is Albirex Niigata's 9th consecutive season in J.League Division 1. It also includes the 2012 J.League Cup, and the 2012 Emperor's Cup.


2012 Albirex Niigata season, Players, First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2012 Alcorn State Braves football team
The 2012 Alcorn State Braves football team represented Alcorn State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Braves were led by first-year head coach Jay Hopson, and played their home games at Casem-Spinks Stadium. Hopson is the first non-black head coach to coach at a historically black university in either the MEAC or SWAC. They were a member of the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and finished the season with an overall record of four wins and seven losses (4–7, 4–5 SWAC).


2012 Alcorn State Braves football team, Media
All Braves games were broadcast live on WPRL 91.7 FM.


2012 Alderney general election
General elections were held in Alderney in November 2012 in accordance with the rules governing elections in Alderney. Five of the ten seats in the States were up for election. There were 12 candidates.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes
The 2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes were a series of battles as part of the early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war in the Aleppo Governorate of Syria.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes
The clashes began following the twin bombings in Aleppo city on 10 February 2012, which were conducted by the jihadist anti-government organisation, the Al-Nusra Front. Over the next five months, major clashes left large parts of the rural countryside under rebel control, with the capital of the province, Aleppo city, still being firmly under government control. On 19 July, rebel forces stormed the city and a battle for control of Syria's largest city and economic hub had begun.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Background
There were anti-government protests in Aleppo, reported since 13 April 2011. However, the city itself was mostly peaceful and spared the violence of the war, unlike the rest of the country, being a government stronghold for the better part of the first year of the conflict.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Background
Anti -government activists called for a huge turnout on 30 June, although two small protests were held that day with only 1,000 demonstrators showing up. On 12 August, Syrian security forces fired at protesters in the Sakhur neighborhood, killing four people. On 17 August, "thousands" protested in the central square (Saadallah al-Jabiri square) of Aleppo and in other parts of the city. Opposition activists claimed that the security forces again opened fire at the protesters. On 6 September, there were reportedly huge crowds (20,000–40,000) protesting against the government after the killing of the Syrian Sunni Sheikh Ibrahim Salqini.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Background
On 21 December, four protests were reportedly held at the university, where a student at the Faculty of Science was reportedly killed by government forces.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Bombings
On 6 January 2012, the head of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria warned that the government was plotting a bombing in the city, "just to terrorize the people". Ammar Qurabi told Al Arabiya that he had learned about the alleged plot from Syrian security officials. This came after bombings in Damascus in December 2011 and in January 2012. Qurabi and other opposition groups accused the government of staging those attacks to justify its crackdown on the uprising.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Bombings
On 10 February, twin bomb attacks targeted the military intelligence building in Aleppo and killed 24 members of the security forces.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 14 February, five army soldiers, including two officers, were killed in fighting on the outskirts of Aleppo.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
During March, the northern city of Azaz in the region of Aleppo experienced heavy fighting, with three soldiers being killed on 23 March. Activists posted a video showing what appears to be a helicopter engaged in a firefight over the town. A rebel or civilian was also reported killed during the heavy fighting in Azaz.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
According to state media, two colonels were killed in Aleppo in late March.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
A general of the air force intelligence was killed in Aleppo on his way to work, according to the Syrian government.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
An army intelligence base and air force base were attacked in northern Aleppo province, killing three soldiers including an officer.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 6 April, seven civilians and four soldiers were killed north of Aleppo. Two soldiers were killed on 12 April.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 21 April, heavy clashes occurred in the early morning between opposition fighters and the Syrian army in Aleppo province. At least 14 Syrian army soldiers and one opposition officer were said to have been killed in the fighting. A Syrian army weapons cache and two cannons were said to have been destroyed by the opposition fighters, another cannon was seized from the army. They also said to have destroyed two armoured vehicles at a Syrian army checkpoint and attacked a Syrian helicopter.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 22 April, 26 members of the pro-government militia called the shabibha, accused of the worst massacres during the conflict, were killed, and video footage showing their bodies was posted online by the rebel Free Syrian army.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 23 April, a bomb struck a convoy carrying army officers and cadets, killing at least one officer according to state media. 42 others were also injured, some in critical condition.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 24 April, 16 soldiers were killed in many different clashes around Aleppo. On the same day, rebels reported that they captured a military base near the rebel-controlled town of Daret Azzeh. Sixteen government soldiers reportedly died during the attack after which rebels looted large amounts of ammunition, including hundreds of artillery shells. The Army retaliated by intense strikes from military gunships on the local area. On April 28, three security force members were killed and two others injured in the Aleppo countryside.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 29 April, it was reported that four soldiers died in a blast in a military centre in Aleppo province.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 2 May, 15 soldiers were killed in Northern Aleppo, including two colonels. Two rebels also died in the attack near Al-Rai village, after the military forces had "scaled up military operations" there in the days since the truce took effect on April 12, said the S.O.H.R group In Syria.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 3 May, days after four university students were killed by the pro-government military shabibha in anti-government protests. It was reported that 15,000 students protested at the university on 17 may, in the presence of U.N observers. After this incident, on 18 May 2012 the biggest anti-government demonstrations that had ever taken place in Aleppo were reported. Anti -government groups called it a real uprising in Aleppo. In two districts alone, there were reportedly over 10,000 protesters, among thousands of others in the other districts. Tear gas and live ammunition was used by security forces to disperse it. At least one protester died on 17 may, while an army officer was killed by an explosion in the city.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
Eighteen soldiers were killed near Atareb town in Aleppo province, the fighting destroyed tanks and armoured personnel carriers, according to the Syrian Observatory for human rights.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
Army tanks were reportedly deployed for the first time in Aleppo, where 12 massive anti-government protests were held in one day.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
Two soldiers were killed and five injured after an explosion on 3 May. Also, a man identified as "the brother of a Syrian MP" was shot dead, with SOHR quoting anti-government activists as saying "the man's family is very loyal to the government and has participated in the repression of protests".


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
Rural Aleppo towns and the outskirts of Aleppo city were bombarded by the army in early July. The State-controlled media agency, SANA, claimed that eight rebels were killed and 6 of their armed pick up trucks destroyed by the Syrian army on July 5.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 9 July, two soldiers were killed by an IED in Aleppo. A further four soldiers were killed when trying to enter the opposition controlled town of Azaz.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Armed clashes
On 16 July, 13 soldiers, including an officer, were killed when a government checkpoint was attacked by rebel fighters, and during clashes, in the area of Tel Selour, outside Aleppo.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Aftermath
On 19 July, the battle for Aleppo city started. Clashes began with an offensive by the Free Syrian Army against the city, primarily the Salaheddine district.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Aftermath
As the fighting in Aleppo city continued, near the rebel-held town of Atareb rebel fighters made a failed attack against a government-controlled police school. 12 rebels were killed, including a local brigade commander Ahmed el Faj.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Aftermath
On 21 July, fighting was still raging in the Salaheddine district, with the army trying to storm it with troops and armored vehicles. Meanwhile, clashes started in the poorer, tribal district of al-Sakhour. Hundreds of families were forced to flee as commercial city has been slowly turned into a war zone.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Aftermath
On 23 July, it was confirmed that the FSA had finally taken control of Azaz. They said that 17 government tanks had been destroyed and one captured, a journalist in the area counted 7 destroyed tanks.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Aftermath
In the Aleppo countryside, the FSA rapidly gained ground in late July and captured members of the military intelligence. Footage showed rebels riding around the town of Al-Bab in a tank and howitzer artillery that they had captured from an army base. Captured soldiers said that 30 soldiers had been killed in Al-Bab in the past week and it was later reported that the last army base in the Aleppo countryside, on the outskirts of Al-Bab, was taken by the opposition.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Aftermath
On 15 August, Syrian fighter jets conducted two devastating bombing runs on the rebel-held town of Azaz, flattening a string of houses and killing at least 20 people including children with a little girl who had been killed in the strike being brought to the hospital and at least 10 houses were flattened in the bombardment. "This was a civilian area. All these houses were packed with women and children sleeping during the fast," said witness Abu Omar, a civil engineer in his 50s, referring to the dawn-to-dusk fast Muslims observe during Ramadan.


2012 Aleppo Governorate clashes, Aftermath
Witnesses and FSA forces who reinforced security around the town after the strike said the jet fired twice, targeting a makeshift media centre used by foreign reporters in the second, smaller strike. Dozens of people, many wailing and shouting, were climbing over the rubble, trying to pull out victims. Witnesses said the bomb must have weighed at least half a tonne and the impact shattered windows up to four blocks away. Residents insisted there was no rebel base where the bomb struck, but some said the families of FSA fighters lived there. "It was a massacre, an entire family like mine was exterminated," said one woman who refused to give her name. Four Lebanese hostages were reportedly killed. Another report put the death toll at 31 people.


2012 Alexandria, Virginia mayoral election
The general election for mayor of Alexandria, Virginia was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent mayor Bill Euille was successfully reelected to a fourth term.


2012 Alexandria, Virginia mayoral election, Primaries
No primaries were held and Bill Euille was renominated without opposition.


2012 Alexandria, Virginia mayoral election, General election
In the general election, Euille faced Andrew Macdonald. Macdonald had previously served as a Democratic member of the city council between 2003 and 2007 and had run as an independent candidate in 2000. Despite being elected vice mayor by receiving the most votes in the 2006 election, Macdonald resigned from the council in 2007 for personal reasons. In March 2012, Macdonald appeared before the Alexandria Republican Committee and asked for their support in a potential bid for Mayor. Known for his anti-development views, Macdonald said he would make opposition to development on Alexandria's waterfront central to his campaign.


2012 Alexandria, Virginia mayoral election, General election
Macdonald opposed the project both on environmental grounds while he also charged that Euille had business relationships with current waterfront tenants. Republicans responded favorably to Macdonald's appearance, with Republican Vice Mayor Bill Cleveland saying "I'm voting for anybody but Bill Euille." Several days later, following a confrontation with Alexandria Democratic Committee leadership, Macdonald resigned his membership in the Democratic Committee. On March 9, Macdonald officially announced his run for mayor as an independent.


2012 Alexandria, Virginia mayoral election, General election
Though defeated, Macdonald won majorities of the vote in two of the three precincts that bounded on the waterfront area.


2012 Algarve Cup
The 2012 Algarve Cup was the nineteenth edition of the Algarve Cup, an invitational women's football tournament held annually in Portugal. It began on 29 February and ended on 7 March 2012.


2012 Algarve Cup, Format
The twelve invited teams were split into three groups that played a round-robin tournament.


2012 Algarve Cup, Format
Groups A and B, containing the strongest ranked teams, were the only ones in contention to win the title. The group winners from A and B contested the final, with the runners-up playing for third place and those that finished third in these two groups playing for fifth place.


2012 Algarve Cup, Format
The teams in Group C were playing for places 7–12, with the winner of Group C playing the team that finished fourth in Group A or B with the better record for seventh place and the Group C runner-up playing the team which came last in Group A or B with the worse record for ninth place. The third and fourth-placed teams in Group C played for the eleventh place.


2012 Algarve Cup, Format
Points awarded in the group stage followed the standard formula of three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. In the case of two teams being tied on the same number of points in a group, their head-to-head result determined the higher place.


2012 Algarve Cup squads
This article lists the squads for the 2012 Algarve Cup, held in Portugal. The 12 national teams involved in the tournament were required to register a squad of 21 players; only players in these squads were eligible to take part in the tournament.


2012 Algarve Cup squads
Players marked (c) were named as captain for their national squad. Number of caps, players' club teams and players' age as of 29 February 2012 – the tournament's opening day.


2012 Algerian Cup Final
The 2012 Algerian Cup Final was final of the 48th edition of the Algerian Cup. The game was held on May 1st, 2012 at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers between CR Belouizdad and ES Sétif.


2012 Algerian Cup Final
ES Sétif won the game 2–1 in extra-time with a goal from Mokhtar Benmoussa in the 96th minute.


2012 Algerian Cup Final
FIFA president Sepp Blatter and CAF president Issa Hayatou were both there in attendance.


2012 Algerian Cup Final, Background
Prior to the 2012 final, ES Sétif had reached the final of the Algerian Cup seven times, winning all seven. The last time they reached the final was in 2010, where they beat CA Batna 3–0. On the other hand, CR Belouizdad had reached the final of the Algerian Cup eight times, winning six of them. The last time they reached the final was in 2009, where they beat CA Bordj Bou Arreridj 2–1 in the penalty shoot-out. Despite reaching the final a combined 15 times prior to the 2012 edition, the two teams had never met previously in the final.


2012 Algerian Cup Final, Background
During the season, the two teams met twice prior to the Algerian Cup final, with each team winning one game. In the first game, ES Sétif won 3–1 in Algiers. In the second match, CR Belouizdad beat ES Sétif 2–0 in Sétif.


2012 Algerian legislative election
Member State of the African Union Member State of the Arab League


2012 Algerian legislative election
Legislative elections were held in Algeria on 10 May 2012. The incumbent coalition, consisting of the FLN of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the RND of Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, held on to power after winning a majority of seats. The Islamist parties of the Green Algeria Alliance lost seats.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Background
Following events in the Arab Spring, Algeria faced initial large scale protests but have since dwindled.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Background
An election in 1991 that resulted in a plurality for the Islamic Salvation Front was annulled by the military amid fears of an Islamist takeover causing the Algerian Civil War.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Parties, Workers' Party
The Workers' Party (PT) announced its participation on 29 February. Louisa Hanoune has previously clarified that the party had worked with the Socialist Forces Front and would look towards an alliance between the two parties. Louisa Hanoune has become the most popular woman in Algeria after the party came second in the 2009 Algerian presidential election.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Parties, Workers' Party
Hanoune said the party's manifesto would be similar to previous elections, including improved employment opportunities, equal rights for women, the elimination of the Algerian Family Code, making Tamazight the second official language, eliminating laws that condemn people for their religion, sexuality or other discriminatory acts and make Algeria a pioneer in production. She also criticized the creation of new parties that have emerged in January and has asked who funds these new parties.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Parties, National Rally for Democracy
The National Rally for Democracy has announced its participation in the election. Ahmed Ouyahia is the party's general secretary and the incumbent prime minister. Ouyahia and Hanoune exchanged strong words in the Algerian media. Hanoune complained about his decision of the military record to the voters, showing that as evidence of possible fraud.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Parties, Socialist Forces Front
The Socialist Forces Front (FFS) has announced its participation on 29 February. Hocine Aït Ahmed wrote to the National Council saying that "participation in these elections is a tactical necessity for the FFS, which falls in line with (its) construction strategy of peaceful democratic alternative to this despotic regime, corrupt and destructive. [ The purpose of the party] does not lie in a quota of seats to reach [but] in mobilising political[ly] and peaceful[ly] in our party and our people." The party had boycotted the two previous elections because of what it called systematic electoral fraud in favour of the ruling parties.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Parties, National Liberation Front
So far, the National Liberation Front (FLN) has not made any official publication of who will be their prime ministerial candidate. The FLN is the biggest party in Algeria and includes President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. There are rumours that its candidate representing the FLN will be Khalida Toumi, the incumbent Minister of Culture.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Parties, Green Algeria Alliance
On 8 March, three Algerian Islamist parties (Movement of Society for Peace, Islamic Renaissance Movement and the Movement for National Reform) formed the Green Algeria Alliance. Its secretary general is Bouguerra Soltani. Sultani said that the purpose of this alliance is to consolidate the voter base of the three political parties.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Boycott
The Socialist Forces Front decided to forgo a decision to boycott the election after international monitors were invited to observe the process. However former Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghozali urged a boycott on the grounds that the election would be "a foregone conclusion. Social media was abuzz with many of the country's youth calling for an abstention from voting.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Monitors
Algeria allowed foreign electoral monitors for the election. The monitors would include the Carter Center, the National Democratic Institute and other NGOs from the European Union and the Arab League. Overall, there were over 500 international observers. The government also called the election the "Algerian Spring" billing it as the freest election in over 20 years.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Results
Almost 22 million are eligible to vote for 44 parties following legalisation of most parties this year. Voter turnout was expected to be low, possibly less than 35% from the last election. Bouteflika called for a high participation. The turnout was 42.36%.


2012 Algerian legislative election, Reactions
Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia announced the result saying that "the election has reinforced the Algerian people's attachment to the values of peace and stability."


2012 Algerian legislative election, Aftermath
The new parliament's opening session was boycotted by 49 MPs from the Green Algeria Alliance and 11 MPs from two other parties on the grounds that they claimed the election was fraudulent and "a return to the era of single party rule. We decided to withdraw from the first session of the National Assembly and protest officially against the results of the ballot." Lakhdar Benkhelaf of the Islamist Front for Justice and Development, a part of the Political Front for the Safeguard of Democracy, said the boycott was "a question of principle."


2012 All England Super Series Premier
The 2012 All England Super Series Premier was the third super series tournament of the 2012 BWF Super Series. The tournament was held in Birmingham, England from 6–11 March 2012 and had a total purse of $350,000.


2012 All Japan Indoor Tennis Championships
The 2012 All Japan Indoor Tennis Championships was a professional tennis tournament played on clay courts. It was the 16th edition of the tournament which was part of the 2012 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Kyoto, Japan between 5 and 11 June March.


2012 All Japan Indoor Tennis Championships, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2012 All Japan Indoor Tennis Championships – Doubles
Dominik Meffert and Simon Stadler were the defending champions but decided not to participate. Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana won the title, defeating Hsieh Cheng-peng and Lee Hsin-han 7–6(9–7), 6–3 in the final.


2012 All Japan Indoor Tennis Championships – Singles
Dominik Meffert was the defending champion but decided not to participate. Tatsuma Ito won the title, defeating Malek Jaziri 6–7(5–7), 6–1, 6–2 in the final.


2012 All Stars match
The 2012 All Stars Match was the third of the annual representative exhibition matches played between the Indigenous All Stars and the NRL All Stars team which was held on 4 February 2012 at the Gold Coast's Skilled Park.


2012 All Stars match, Teams
1 - Cameron Smith was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Aaron Payne. 2 - Tony Williams was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Anthony Watmough. 3 - Ben Hornby was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Nathan Fien.


2012 All Stars match, Women All Stars Teams
The second Women's and Indigenous Women's All Stars match was again held as a curtain-raiser to the men's fixture. Captained by Teresa Anderson, the Indigenous team included Bianca Ambrum, Tash Baggow (Mackay), Naomi Bobongie (Proserpine), Candice Clay (Newcastle), Natalie Gala (Bundaberg), Julie Young (Newcastle), Rebecca Young (Newcastle) and try-scorers Sarah Sailor and Chloe Caldwell. Renae Kunst captained the All Stars team.


2012 All Thailand Golf Tour
The 2012 All Thailand Golf Tour is the 14th season of the All Thailand Golf Tour, the main professional golf tour in Thailand since it was established in 1999.


2012 All-Australian team
The 2012 All-Australian team represents the best performed Australian Football League (AFL) players during the 2012 season. It was announced on 17 September as a complete Australian rules football team of 22 players. The team is honorary and does not play any games.


2012 All-Australian team, Selection panel
The selection panel for the 2012 All-Australian team consisted of chairman Andrew Demetriou, Adrian Anderson, Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Danny Frawley, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich and Mark Ricciuto.


2012 All-Australian team, Team, Initial squad
At the conclusion of the 2012 AFL home and away season, a provisional squad of 40 players was chosen and later announced on 5 September.


2012 All-Australian team, Team, Final team
Darren Glass of West Coast was named as the All-Australian captain, with Gary Ablett Jr. of Gold Coast named as vice-captain.


2012 All-Australian team, Team, Final team
Note: the position of coach in the All-Australian team is traditionally awarded to the coach of the premiership team.


2012 All-Big 12 Conference football team
The 2012 All-Big 12 Conference football team consists of American football players chosen as All-Big 12 Conference players for the 2012 Big 12 Conference football season. The conference recognizes two official All-Big 12 selectors: (1) the Big 12 conference coaches selected separate offensive and defensive units and named first- and second-team players (the "Coaches" team); and (2) a panel of sports writers and broadcasters covering the Big 12 also selected offensive and defensive units and named first- and second-team players (the "Media" team).


2012 All-Big 12 Conference football team, Key
Bold = selected as a first-team player by both the coaches and media panel


2012 All-Big Ten Conference football team
The 2012 All-Big Ten Conference football team consists of American football players chosen as All-Big Ten Conference players for the 2012 Big Ten Conference football season. The conference recognizes two official All-Big Ten selectors: (1) the Big Ten conference coaches selected separate offensive and defensive units and named first- and second-team players (the "Coaches" team); and (2) a panel of sports writers and broadcasters covering the Big Ten also selected offensive and defensive units and named first- and second-team players (the "Media" team).


2012 All-Big Ten Conference football team, Key
Bold = Consensus first-team selection by both the coaches and media


2012 All-Ireland Colleges Camogie Championship
The 2012 All Ireland Colleges Camogie Championship was won by Loreto, Kilkenny, who defeated St Brigids Loughrea by 4-11 to 1-10 in the final on March 3, 2012 at Templederry. It completed a three-in-a-row by the school, who also captured the junior title that year. They had10 of the 2011 winning team on their starting 15. Tracey Brennan was player of the match.


2012 All-Ireland Colleges Camogie Championship, The final
Lydia Fitzpatrick’s third goal for Loreto Kilkenny was described as reminiscent of John Fenton's memorable goal for Cork against Limerick in the 1987 Munster hurling semi-final:


2012 All-Ireland Colleges Camogie Championship, The final
Laura Porter's attempted clearance in the blink of an eye was blocked down, and Fitzpatrick almost unnoticed, pulled on the sliotar at 100 miles an hour and Lydia Fitzpatrick in an instant struck an unstoppable shot along the ground that flew aimlessly beyond the hapless goalkeeper Tara Murphy.


2012 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship
The 2013 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship was the 29th staging of the All-Ireland hurling championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1961. The championship began on 26 May 2012 and ended on 1 September 2012.


2012 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship
Clare were the defending champions, however, they were defeated in the provincial final. Tipperary won the title following a 3–13 to 1–17 defeat of Kilkenny in the final.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship
The 2012 All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship, the most important elite level inter-county competition for age graded development squad county teams in the women's team field sport of camogie was won by Galway, who defeated Klkenny by five points in the final, played at Nenagh.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship, Arrangements
Holders Tipperary were defeated by Galway in a replayed semi-final. Kilkenny defeated Cork 1-10 to 1-5 in a dour semi-final clash at a windy Ballyagran on the Cork/Limerick border.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship, The Final
Kilkenny led by 1-6 to 1-2 at half time in the final and should have been further ahead. Rachel Monaghan’s 43rd-minute goal decided the game. Player of the match was won by two-goal heroine Rachel Monaghan. Michaela Kenneally was selected as Player Of The Championship.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship, B Division
The Minor B final was won by Derry who defeated EWexford 2-16 to 2-5 in the final. Derry led by ten points at half time. Bronagh McGillion was named player of the match. The Minor C final was won by Kerry or Down.Kerry defeated Westmeath 4-8  to 2-0 and Down  defeated Laois  2-15 to 3-6 in the semi-finals.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The 2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship was the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors who play the game of Gaelic football in Ireland. The games were organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. The 2012 series of games started in April with the majority of the games played during the summer months. The All-Ireland Minor Football Final took place on 23 September in Croke Park, Dublin, preceding the Senior Game, and was won by Dublin.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, Leinster Minor Football Championship
2012	LR	MR	FB			Offaly	8-30	Kilkenny	1-00	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB		Newbridge	Kildare	3-19	Wexford	0-10	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB		Aughrim	Wicklow	2-05	Laois	1-06	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB		Haggardstown	Louth	2-10	Westmeath	0-06	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB			Meath	1-11	Longford	0-11	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB	(Draw)		Wexford	2-12	Carlow	2-12	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB		Carlow	Carlow	2-11	Wexford	0-09	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB		Longford	Longford	2-10	Laois	1-10	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB		Carlow	Carlow	1-13	Westmeath	0-19	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Aughrim	Westmeath	0-10	Wicklow	0-07	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Tullamore	Meath	3-11	Offaly	1-08	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Newbridge	Kildare	2-16	Louth	2-08	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Parnell P	Dublin	2-14	Longford	1-05	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB	Semi-F	Mullingar	Westmeath	1-07	Meath	3-14	View Details2012	LR	MR	FB	Final		Dublin	3-17	Meath	1-11	View Details


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, Munster Minor Football Championship
2012	MR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Tralee	Tipperary	2-09	Kerry	0-08	View Details2012	MR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Ennis	Clare	2-20	Waterford	0-06	View Details2012	MR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Limerick	Limerick	0-06	Cork	3-13	View Details2012	MR	MR	FB		Dungarvan	Kerry	1-14	Waterford	1-03	View Details2012	MR	MR	FB		Tralee	Kerry	3-09	Limerick	0-05	View Details2012	MR	MR	FB	Semi-F	Pairc U	Tipperary	1-10	Cork	0-09	View Details2012	MR	MR	FB	Semi-F	Ennis	Clare	3-04	Kerry	0-17	View Details2012	MR	MR	FB	Final	Limerick	Kerry	1-14	Tipperary	2-14	View Details


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, Ulster Minor Football Championship
2012	UR	MR	FB		Cavan	Donegal	1-11	Cavan	0-10	View Details2012	UR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Clones	Monaghan	2-10	Antrim	1-02	View Details2012	UR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Healy P	Derry	2-09	Donegal	1-07	View Details2012	UR	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Kilkenny	Fermanagh	1-08	Down	1-11	View Details2012	UR	MR	FB		Armagh	Armagh	0-19	Tyrone	4-11	View Details2012	UR	MR	FB	Semi-F	Armagh	Down	0-08	Monaghan	0-11	View Details2012	UR	MR	FB	Semi-F	Clones	Tyrone	0-15	Derry	0-06	View Details2012	UR	MR	FB	Final		Tyrone	0-14	Monaghan	1-08	View Details


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, Connacht Minor Football Championship
2012		Quarter-F	Carrick-on-Shannon	Leitrim	2-03	Roscommon	4-15	View Details2012		Semi-F	Castlebar	Mayo	1-06	Sligo	0-06	View Details2012		Semi-F		Galway	1-11	Roscommon	1-09	View Details2012		Final	Roscommon	Roscommon	0-10	Mayo	0-08	View Details


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, All Ireland Series, Quarter Finals
2012	AI	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Croke P	Tipperary	1-08	Mayo	0-19	View Details2012	AI	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Croke P	Roscommon	0-11	Kerry	1-09	View Details2012	AI	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Newry	Dublin	1-16	Monaghan	0-08	View Details2012	AI	MR	FB	Qtr-F	Newry	Tyrone	1-14	Meath	2-12	View Details


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, All Ireland Series, Semi Finals
2012	AI	MR	FB	Semi-F	Croke P	Meath	2-10	Mayo	1-11	View Details2012	AI	MR	FB	Semi-F	Croke P	Dublin	3-12	Kerry	1-10	View Details


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, All Ireland Series, Final
2012	AI	MR	FB	Final	Croke P	Meath	1-05	Dublin	0-14	View Details


2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, Results, All Ireland Series, Final
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2012 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The 2012 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship was the 82nd staging of the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1928. The championship began on 21 April 2012 and ended on 30 September 2012.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
Galway entered the championship as the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
On 30 September 2012, Tipperary won the championship following a 2-18 to 1-11 defeat of Dublin in a replay of the All-Ireland final. This was their 19th All-Ireland title and their first title since 2007. It was Tipperary and Dublin's first meeting in an All-Ireland final since 1954.


2012 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
Clare's Bobby Duggan was the championship's top scorer with 3-49.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship
The 2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship—known as the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship in association with RTÉ Sport for sponsorship reasons— is the premier competition of the 2012 camogie season. It commenced on 23 June 2012 and ended with the final on 16 September. Eight county teams compete in the Senior Championship out of twenty-seven who compete overall in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships. Wexford defeated Cork in the final. The championship was notable for the qualification of Offaly for the All-Ireland semi-final just three years after they had been graded junior. Quarter-final stages of the championships were re-introduced for the first time since 2006. The 2012 championship was the first to be held under new rules which allowed two points for a point direct from a sideline ball.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Provincial Championships
There was an indication of changes in the camogie hierarchy in the provincial championships which were held before the All-Ireland senior championship began. Clare won the Munster championship for the first time since 1944, beating Cork in the final. Offaly defeated Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final and although Wexford beat Offaly by 1-12 to 1-7 to win the Leinster final, they were boosted by the experience. Offaly went on to beat Kilkenny for the second time in a championship play-off and then Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter final to qualify for the All-Ireland semi-final for the first time. Clare tqualified for the All-Ireland quarter final only to lose to their Munster final victims Cork.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Structure
The eight teams were divided into two groups - Cork, Dublin, Galway and Tipperary in Group 1, and Clare, Kilkenny, Offaly and Wexford in Group 2. Teams received 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. The top four teams then contested the semi-finals. All teams in Group 1 played all teams in Group 2. The top team from each group went into the semi-final on opposite sides of the draw. The second team from each group went into quarter-finals on opposite sides of the draw.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Structure
The third in Group 1 played fourth in Group 2 for a place in the quarter-final and the fourth in Group 1 played the third in Group 2 for a place in the quarter-final. There were draws to decide who played who in the quarter-finals and for home venue for the quarter-finals.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Management changes
For the first time in the history of the championship no female manager had charge if a county team. Wexford retained JJ Doyle as manager. Paudie Murray, brother of goalkeeper Aoife, took over as manager of Cork. Tony Ward took over from Noel Finn as Galway manager. Brendan Williams became Kilkenny manager as Ann Downey departed after four seasons in charge. John Lillis became manager of Tipperary, John Carmody took over from Patsy Fahy as manager of Clare, and John Troy was new manager of Offaly after Joachim Kelly’s achievement in bringing them from junior to senior status in three seasons.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Dual players
Cork players Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley also played for the Cork senior ladies' football team that won the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship. Two Women's Irish Hockey League players played in the championship, Naomi Carroll of Clare and of Emer Lucey of Dublin.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Opening Rounds
The new structure threw up several surprises not least being Offaly’s progression to the semi-final despite finishing joint bottom of the group stages. For the third year in succession Galway defeated the eventual champions in the group stages, but having lost the previous two All- Ireland finals to the same opposition, they failed to reach the final thanks to a late surge by Cork in the semi-final. Offaly achieved a major breakthrough by qualifying for the semi-final.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Controversy
An offer by Wexford GAA to Wexford camogie to staging a double-header between the hurling, and Wexford versus Cork in camogie was rejected by Wexford camogie board


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Semi-final
Galway, losing finalists in 2010 and 2011 were defeated in the All-Ireland semifinal by Cork with late double Late goals from Katriona Mackey and Síle Burns.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final
The 2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final was the eighty-first All-Ireland Final and the deciding match of the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, an inter-county camogie tournament for the top teams in Ireland.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
The 2012 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship final was a hurling match played at Croke Park on 17 March 2012 to determine the winners of the 2011–12 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, the 42nd season of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, a tournament organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association for the champion clubs of the four provinces of Ireland. The final was contested by Loughgiel Shamrocks of Antrim and Coolderry of Offaly, with Loughgiel Shamrocks winning by 4-13 to 0-17.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
The All-Ireland final was a unique occasion as it was the first ever championship meeting between Loughgiel Shamrocks and Coolderry. It remains their only clash in the All-Ireland series. Loughgiel were hoping to win the final for the first time since 1983 while Coolderry were hoping to win the All-Ireland title for the first time.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
Coolderry eased into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead, with Damien Murray converting a couple of frees, however, Shay Casey fired in Loughgiel's first goal after just six minutes. Eddie McCloskey and Brendan McCarry fired over points, and they could have had more but for some solid defending from Joe Brady. Coolderry's Cathal Parlon and Brian Carroll brought the Leinster champions level, but a second Loughgiel goal from Liam Watson in the 18th minute gave the Antrim side a massive lift. Two more goals in as many minutes from Watson secured the hat-trick and left Coolderry with a 10-point deficit.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
Loughgiel led by 4-6 to 0-9 at the interval, but an inspired Coolderry threw everything into attack on the restart, and within five minutes they had trimmed a nine points deficit back to five. Substitute Kevin Connolly brought a terrific save from D. D. Quinn, and along with Murray and Parlon, clipped over points to give them renewed hope. Loughgiel weathered the storm, thanks in no small part to some heroic defending from Paul Gillan, and hit back with scores from Watson and Barney McAuley.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
Watson landed a point from a tight angle to stretch the lead out to eight with Coolderry struggling. Murray pulled back a couple of points from expertly struck frees and Eoin Ryan steered over a neat score, but there was to be no stopping the Shamrocks, with Watson powering over an 80-metre free, before McCarry pointed after Stephen Corcoran had pulled off a top quality save from Casey.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
Loughgiel's victory secured their second All-Ireland title. They joined Sarsfield's, St. Finbarr's and Glen Rovers in joint seventh position on the all time roll of honour.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was the 126th edition of the GAA's premier inter-county Gaelic football tournament, played between 31 counties of Ireland (excluding Kilkenny who only take part in the hurling championship), London and New York.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final took place at Croke Park on 23 September 2012, with Donegal emerging victorious. Having reclaimed the Ulster Senior Football Championship with wins over Cavan, Derry, Tyrone and Down, they met and bet Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final, in what was widely considered the game of the Championship. They then overcame Cork in the semi-final and Mayo in the final in Jim McGuinness's second season in charge, allowing team captain Michael Murphy to hold the Sam Maguire Cup aloft.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Colm McFadden finished as the competition's top scorer and Karl Lacey was named the competition's best player.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Teams
A total of 33 teams contested the championship. These included 31 teams from Ireland as well as London and New York. As in previous years, Kilkenny decided not to field a team.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Referees
Ahead of the 2012 Championship, three referees joined the panel: Conor Lane of Banteer, Martin Higgins of Fermanagh and Barry Cassidy of Derry.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Team summaries
Sligo record their easiest ever championship win over New York.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship of 2012 was run on a provincial basis as usual. It was a knockout tournament with pairings drawn at random in the respective provinces – there was no seeds.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Each match was played as a single leg. If a match was drawn there was a replay. If that match ended in a draw a period of extra time was played; however, if both sides were still level at the end of extra time another replay would have taken place.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Quarter-finals: (3 matches) These were three matches between six of the Connacht teams drawn first. The three winning teams advanced to the semi-finals, while the three losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Semi-finals: (4 matches) The winners of the three quarter-final games joined the other two Connacht teams to make up the semi-final pairings. The two winning teams advanced to the final, while the two losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Final: (1 match) The winners of the two semi-finals contested this game. The winning team advanced to the All-Ireland quarter-final, while the losing team entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Preliminary Round: (3 matches) These were three matches between six of the Leinster teams drawn first. The three winning teams advanced to the quarter-finals, while the three losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Quarter-finals: (4 matches) The winners of the three preliminary round games joined the other five Leinster teams to make up four quarter-final pairings. The four winning teams advanced to the semi-finals, while the four losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Semi-finals: (2 matches) The four winners of the quarter-finals made up the semi-final pairings. The two winning teams advanced to the final, while the two losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Quarter-finals: (2 matches) These were to be two matches between four of the Munster teams drawn first. The two winning teams advanced to the semi-finals, while the two losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Semi-finals: (4 matches) The winners of the two quarter-final games joined the other two Munster teams to make up the semi-final pairings. The two winning teams advanced to the final, while the two losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Preliminary Round: (1 match) This was a lone match between two of the Ulster teams drawn first. The winning team advanced to the quarter-finals, while the losing team entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Quarter-finals: (4 matches) The winners of the lone preliminary round game joined the other seven Ulster teams to make up four quarter-final pairings. The four winning teams advanced to the semi-finals, while the four losing teams entered the All-Ireland qualifiers.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
The qualifiers gave teams defeated in the provincial championships another chance at winning the All-Ireland title.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Round 1 (8 matches): the sixteen teams who failed to reach a provincial semi-final entered the qualifiers at this stage (New York do not compete). An open draw was made to determine the eight match pairings.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Round 2 (8 matches): the eight teams who failed to progress from their provincial semi-finals entered the qualifiers at this stage. They were paired with the eight winners from round 1 of the qualifiers. An open draw was made to determine the eight match pairings.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Round 3 (4 matches): the eight teams from round 2 of the qualifiers were paired against each other. An open draw was made to determine the four match pairings.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Round 4 (4 matches): the four teams who lost their provincial finals entered the qualifiers at this stage. They were paired with the four winners from round 3 of the qualifiers. An open draw was made to determine the four match pairings. The four winners advanced to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Quarter-finals: (4 matches) the four teams from round 4 of the qualifiers were paired against the four provincial winners. An open draw was made to determine the four match pairings. The four winning teams advanced to the semi-finals, while the two losing teams were eliminated from the championship.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Semi-finals: (2 matches) The four winners of the quarter-finals make up the semi-final pairings. The two winning teams advanced to the final, while the two losing teams were eliminated from the championship.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Format
Final: (1 match) The winners of the two semi-finals contested this game.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Fixtures and results, All-Ireland qualifiers, Round 1
On 18 June 2012, the draw was made for the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers. This draw contained all the teams who had been knocked out of their provincial competitions prior to the semi final stage, apart from New York. It was broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland for the first time.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Fixtures and results, All-Ireland qualifiers, Round 2
On 2 July 2012, the draw was made for the second round of the All-Ireland qualifiers. This draw contained all the teams who had been knocked out of their provincial competitions at the semi final stage in one pot and the winners of the first round of the qualifiers in the second pot.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Awards
The Sunday Game team of the year was picked on 23 September, the night of the final and included 8 of Donegal's winning team.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
The 2012 All-Ireland Football Final, the 125th event of its kind and the culmination of the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, was played at Croke Park, Dublin, on 23 September 2012. Donegal and Mayo, widely considered "one of the most novel final pairings of all time", met to decide the destination of the Sam Maguire Cup, with Donegal ultimately emerging victorious as Mayo were yet again undone by "the curse".


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
Dublin were the defending champions after defeating Kerry by a single point, 1–12 to 1–11, in the 2011 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. Neither side made it to the 2012 decider; Mayo defeated defending champions Dublin by three points in their semi-final encounter and Donegal defeated Kerry at the quarter-final stage. After the game, Neil Lennon offered Donegal manager Jim McGuinness a professional role as a performance consultant at Celtic F.C. 's Lennoxtown training centre.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
The match was screened live internationally, including in Australia, India, South Africa, Thailand, the United States, and elsewhere, while cinemas also showed the game. More than a quarter of Ireland's population watched the match live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ Online, the second highest audience in eight years. Donegal's success spawned a controversial interview with Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show the following week, as well as the documentary Jimmy's Winnin' Matches—its title derived from the similarly named anthem that celebrated Donegal's 2012 Championship success.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Paths to the final
Donegal progressed directly to the All-Ireland quarter finals after retaining the Ulster Senior Football Championship following victories against Cavan, Derry, Tyrone and Down. They defeated Kerry at this stage; it was the first Championship meeting between the sides at senior level. Kerry had been defeated at this stage only once before. Donegal played Cork in the semi-finals. Cork were favourites to win both the match and the championship, but Donegal reached the final following a 0–16 – 1–11 (14 points) victory.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Paths to the final
Tyrone's Mickey Harte, a BBC analyst that day, expressed his shock: "To be honest, I could not see that coming. Donegal annihilated Cork, there is no other word for it." Martin McHugh, a member of the successful 1992 side, said it was the best ever performance by any Donegal team, including his own.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Paths to the final
Mayo defeated Leitrim and Sligo to win the Connacht Senior Football Championship and also progress directly to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. They then defeated Down to reach a semi-final against Dublin. They went into the game as underdogs, but won on a 0–19 – 0–16 scoreline. It had the highest attendance of the season prior to the final (81,364).


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, History
Donegal had not contested the final since their victory in 1992. Mayo last reached the final in 2006, although they had not won the championship since 1951 despite contesting the final five times. The two counties had never previously met in an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final; their only previous Championship meeting was a semi-final in 1992.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, History
This was the first final between counties from the provinces of Connacht and Ulster since 1948.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Pre-match, Player death
Andrew Duffy, a player on the Termon football team in Donegal, drowned in Dublin after watching Donegal defeat Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final. He had only decided to stay in Dublin at the last-minute, to celebrate Donegal's victory. More than one thousand people attended his funeral, including Donegal players Michael Murphy and Mark McHugh. Members of the Termon club paid tribute to him at the place of his death ahead of the final and a moment's silence was held in his memory before the game at Croke Park. There would be further tributes after the final, particularly from the Donegal manager and players.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Pre-match, Team selection
Two days before the final, Donegal announced that the same team that played Cork in the semi-final would start the final. Ryan Bradley had sufficiently recovered from his shoulder injury to be included, while Karl Lacey and Neil Gallagher had also overcome concerns.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Pre-match, Team selection
Mayo captain Andy Moran missed the final having ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in the quarter-final. Mayo made one change to their team from the semi-final — Colm Boyle replaced Chris Barrett at half-back.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Pre-match, Minors
Prior to the senior final, Dublin defeated Meath in the minor final, winning their first title since 1984.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Match, Summary, First half
Donegal captain Michael Murphy scored a goal after 2 minutes and 25 seconds, having collected a high ball delivered by Karl Lacey. Championship Matters named it "Goal of the Championship". After 10 minutes, Patrick McBrearty's attempt at scoring a point struck the post and the ball fell to Mayo's Kevin Keane. He dropped it into the path of Colm McFadden, who took advantage of the error to score Donegal's second goal. McFadden was soon through on goal again, only for Mayo goalkeeper David Clarke to save on this occasion. Mayo scored their opening point, from a free, after 16 minutes. Colm McFadden scored 1–03 (6 points) for Donegal in the first half.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Match, Summary, Second half
After Michael Murphy fisted a point with eight minutes remaining, only narrowly missing the Mayo goal, photographers surrounded Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and his assistant Rory Gallagher. Donegal led the entire game. As referee Maurice Deegan blew the final whistle, Karl Lacey caught the ball and threw it into the crowd. Mayo had lost their sixth consecutive All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, a run stretching back to 1989. Mark McHugh ran to embrace his father Martin, who was on the sideline as a pundit for the BBC's television coverage. Martin burst into tears. The emotional moment became one of the iconic images of the victory. From Chicago to Dubai fans of the winning team celebrated.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Post-match, Trophy presentation
The trophy was presented to Donegal captain Michael Murphy by GAA president Liam O'Neill. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, a native of Mayo, and Fionnuala O'Kelly was present, as was President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. After lifting the Sam Maguire Cup, Murphy made his speech, beginning: "We have him!". He ended with a chorus of "Jimmy's winning matches. Jimmy's winning games. Jimmy's bringing Sammy back to Donegal again". After the presentation the Donegal team and management went on a lap of honour around the Croke Park pitch.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Post-match, Trophy presentation
Liam O'Neill later revealed that Murphy, as they exchanged the trophy, had offered his condolences on the sudden death of his sister the previous day. He expressed his admiration for Murphy and called him an exceptional young captain.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Post-match, Trophy presentation
"Las Vegas (In the Hills of Donegal)" was blared from the Croke Park PA system.


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Post-match, Press conference
At the post-match press conference Jim McGuinness declined to answer questions until reporter Declan Bogue was ejected from the room. Bogue was responsible for the book This Is Our Year which resulted in Kevin Cassidy's expulsion from the Donegal panel in 2011. When Bogue was removed from the room McGuinness explained,


2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Post-match, Press conference
There was a book written. There were a lot of untruths in the book. There was a lot of things said about me. I've never broken court on it since the whole thing happened. I've held my dignity. I've let myself be castigated. And I done that because I gave somebody an agreement that I wouldn't break my court on it. There were a lot of things said in the book that were incorrect and untrue, some of it possibly lies about me personally and about some of my players.