Recently in football there has been a lot of no contests in our sports showpiece. Looking back through the years I would have to say my favourite all ireland final to watch has to be the Tyrone and Kerry final of a few years back just for general excitement and drama. In regards to hurling I wouldn't consider meself an expert on the history of hurlings showpiece game but looking through the roll of honour the 1971 final looks as if it was epic judging on the scoreline. I'm looking for the older posters on this website to give me their views on what is the greatest all ireland ever played in either code.......

meathfan1 (Meath) - Posts: 231 - 17/07/2008 04:07:09    50067

RE: Greatest finals ever, I'd go with the 2005 final as the best in football, but in hurling I'd go for 1990 Cork 5-15 Galway 2-21. Cork were behind at half time but came storming back. The turning point was when Martin Naughton went through 1 on 1 and Ger Cunningham blocked Naughton's shot with his head, but the ball was waved wide. In one 90 second period in the second half there were 3 goals, 2 for Cork 1 for Galway. It was a great game and some great players played in it.

Peacock (Limerick) - Posts: 4 - 17/07/2008 09:33:23    50124

best-kerry and armagh had a great tussle.armagh played great football that day.
worst- was tyrone-not half the class of the armagh boys,seemed so stiff and never took a chance that day

just for pure football-kerry vs mayo 06 was okay to look at

Rhodejim (Offaly) - Posts: 2888 - 17/07/2008 09:36:52    50130

the 2005 final between tyrone and kerry was the best final that i remember,followed by galway v kildare in 1998.

orange and blue (Tyrone) - Posts: 1080 - 17/07/2008 10:12:46    50168

Offaly v Kerry in 1982 was a great game with a dramatic ending. The end of the 5 in a row dream for the Kingdom boys. Was there with my father and will never forget the joy of the Offaly fans. Good day for Leinster as Dublin , with Joe McNally as GOALKEEPER believe it or not won the minor final!

dubupnorth (Dublin) - Posts: 1897 - 17/07/2008 10:22:15    50175

Down V Meath 1991. best ever without a shadow of a doubt.

wolfe tone (None) - Posts: 121 - 17/07/2008 10:38:23    50192

1930 All-Ireland Final:
Kerry 3-11 Monaghan 0-2. The start of a glorious decade for the Kingdom. The Kerry keeper didn't touch the ball that day!

Tomás Tralee (Kerry) - Posts: 391 - 17/07/2008 10:47:52    50200

Ah yes, monaghan's only ever final, we really made yous work for the win didn't we!

mid-mon man (Monaghan) - Posts: 1680 - 17/07/2008 11:00:46    50214

1951 was by far the greatest ever

ball-boy (Mayo) - Posts: 4211 - 17/07/2008 11:58:33    50265

What about Clare's historic win in 1995. 81 years since their last win, the curse of biddy early broken, ger loughnane's prediction at half time as he ran back out onto the field. Eamonn Taffe's goal after being on the field for about 10 minutes and he was taken off before the ball was pucked back out. offaly hitting the post to nearly level the game before kinnan was pulled up for a double pull and james o connor obligued and pointed from the resulting free. anthony daly's great speech, beating Cork, Limerick, Galway and Offaly on the way. unbeliavable scene's in clare when liam mc carthy crossed the shannon and was brought into ennis. The whole country being behind them and really sharing in their joy and excitment. the match was good aswell but the drama surely ranks i up there.

Ps - what ever happened after that?

happytobehere (Cork) - Posts: 360 - 17/07/2008 20:00:19    50750

1978 Final was the best. Kerry 5-11 Dublin 0-9. Mikey Sheehy's lobbed goal.

3inarow08 (Kerry) - Posts: 2455 - 18/07/2008 10:56:38    50965

Wexford '96 would have to be in there as well. Dancin at the crossroads and all that!!!!

NWMeath (Meath) - Posts: 80 - 18/07/2008 11:04:06    50983

I remember that summer alright 'Whats the story, Martin Storey'

Has to be one of the best GAA songs ever (though I liked the G-G-G Galway on that ad)

essexile (Mayo) - Posts: 429 - 18/07/2008 11:08:19    50991

The A.I. Final that should stand out is the 1947 final which is the only one played in front of emigrants. Gaels who had to leave to survive in very poor times. It was a credit to the G.A.A. who had great foresight to come up with the idea. Regardless of who won it ( Cavan 2-11, Kerry 2-7 and not gloating ) and it must have been extremely exciting for the players to be away on the very first junket.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 18/07/2008 12:12:05    51104

I always look back at the 96 football final with very fond memories.......

BRING_ON_GURTY! (Meath) - Posts: 712 - 18/07/2008 12:19:48    51115

In my memory id have to go with Kerry v Tyrone 2005. I was at the game too. Classic game altogether, had everything

Concept82 (Wicklow) - Posts: 440 - 18/07/2008 12:23:39    51120

1990 was the best without doubt. Especially the football final, when football (Cork) beat football's antithesis (Meath).

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 18/07/2008 12:24:08    51123

Down v Meath 1991 (or was it 1990?) is the one that stands out for me. Great game.

banner_boy (Clare) - Posts: 1285 - 18/07/2008 12:26:18    51127

Kerry .v. Dublin in 1975. My first final with a Kerry victory. I can still vividly see John Egan's goal that set the vaunted Dubs reeling. It really was 'singing in the rain' for a young teenage Kerry lad. 1978 wasn't too bad either but will never forget '82 for all the wrong reasons.

dingle1 (Clare) - Posts: 805 - 18/07/2008 19:33:57    51499

2005 was a classic, you will never see a more single-minded desire to win a game than Tyrone's that day. Losing was just not an option.

Brilliant.

Beacaire Gorm (Dublin) - Posts: 597 - 19/07/2008 01:16:14    51593