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The Greatest All Ireland Hurling Final Ever

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Replying To county man:  "I think the 1990 final between Cork and Galway and the 1997 final between Clare and Tipp would be up there too."
I am still having nightmares about the 1990 final so I can't really judge that one objectively! Yes, 1997 was another cracker.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 1011 - 23/07/2024 20:35:35    2561075

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Replying To Buachaillbui:  "Having re-watched the match in full. There was a lull in the 2nd half where the quality dipped for a good 15 mins. Immediately after a tight match, which was very good but folks get emotional and caught up in a wave of excitement.
For me 2014 was the best both in quality throughout and excitement. Honourable mention to 2009 too.
While we're at it I think the worst final I ever saw and attended was 1987, Galway v Kilkenny."
Was 2021 'a good final? I estimated that Limerick could have scored 7-40 that day handily, if they hadn't pulled the handbrake and shown mercy in the last 20mins or so.

Rather strange that the worst final you saw was won by a team that was unbeaten in 1987, and a team that would retain it's title in 1988. Did you think Antrim v Tipp 1989 was better? You seem to like goals and points and 'quality', so maybe a team threatening to concede 7-40 in a final is what you consider a 'good' final.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3820 - 23/07/2024 20:43:51    2561078

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Don't get me wrong I was at both finals and they were great Galway teams. I was shouting for yee with my Galway cousins. Just the matches themselves weren't great. Kilkenny were awful in '87. Didn't score from play in the 1st half .it was 5 pts to 4 at halftime I think.
81 it was Galway who were well on top of offaly but shot wide after wide. Offaly hung around and motored on in the last 10mins and won.

Buachaillbui (Clare) - Posts: 124 - 23/07/2024 22:18:27    2561086

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Replying To Greengrass:  "I've been to 53 senior hurling finals including replays. It's not easy to say which was the best of them all but I don't think I have ever seen anything like yesterday's final. It was magnificent."
I agree. It had everything and was decided by the narrowest of margins. Great hurling , some great individual performances from Tony Kelly and Rob Downey,and a good clean contest with no dirty strokes.Such an unlikely final pairing as Limerick were strongly fancied to complete the drive for 5, but unfortunately for them and welcomed by others, were toppled by a superior Cork team. Clare finally overcame their hoodoo team in Kilkenny to advance. A draw would have been a better result and we'd have a replay to look forward to, but the GAA in their infinite wisdom, elected for shorter season! Hoganstand posters with a few exceptions will also hibernate I suspect!

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 362 - 24/07/2024 02:00:56    2561114

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I think 2014 drawn final was great but that was probably because I went to it.
Sunday was an absolute cracker. Both teams and players deserved another day out to decide it.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1250 - 24/07/2024 11:49:57    2561183

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Replying To Ryanteam:  "I agree. It had everything and was decided by the narrowest of margins. Great hurling , some great individual performances from Tony Kelly and Rob Downey,and a good clean contest with no dirty strokes.Such an unlikely final pairing as Limerick were strongly fancied to complete the drive for 5, but unfortunately for them and welcomed by others, were toppled by a superior Cork team. Clare finally overcame their hoodoo team in Kilkenny to advance. A draw would have been a better result and we'd have a replay to look forward to, but the GAA in their infinite wisdom, elected for shorter season! Hoganstand posters with a few exceptions will also hibernate I suspect!"
And Cork were defeated by a Superior Clare team.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4454 - 25/07/2024 23:04:53    2561625

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Replying To Westfester:  "2018 was a very good game and a brilliant occasion for success starved Limerick supporters but not an absolute classic like yesterday. Limerick dominated that final except for the hour of injury time (;

Of the finals that I have attended 2009 is up near top of the list"
1976 Cork V Wexford was also a brilliant match.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4454 - 25/07/2024 23:11:24    2561626

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Replying To Canuck:  "I would have to agree. Watching since 1959 there has been epics but I think yesterday tops the list. I also believed the greatest team was the Kilkenny four in a row but would give the present Limerick team the edge now. Why ? They would probably have the five in a row without 2024 only for a sleepy umpire and linesman. They are still young enough and pieces to add that will keep them in contention with yesterday's boys."
I noticed one crucial factor on Sunday. The young Clare tyros Hogan, Leen and Rodgers all contributed hugely and the young Cork Lads did not make anything like the same impression

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4454 - 25/07/2024 23:16:28    2561627

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