GAA top 20 Moments 1974 Dublin vs Galway

A celebration of the finest moments in GAA History:

1974

Dublin vs Galway

Dublin, making their first All Ireland Final appearance for 11 years, were trailing Galway by two points midway through the second half of the 1974 decider.

The westerners were awarded a penalty and their sharpshooter Liam Salmon was entrusted with the kick. Facing him was Paddy Cullen, who played out the field for his club, but was handed the number one jersey for his county by Kevin Heffernan.

The penalty at the Canal End of Croke Park was a definite advantage for Galway, as against the vociferous following of Dubs on the Hill.Salmon struck his shot low and hard to the left of Cullen, but the goalkeeper guessed correctly and scooped the ball around the post. As it transpired, it turned out to be a mortal blow for Galway and Dublin found new inspiration to drive at the opposition for the remainder of the match.

With Brian Mullins inspirational in the middle of the field and Jimmy Keaveney showing unerring accuracy with his free-taking, the Dubs ran out winners by five points (0-14 – 1-6) and the era of Heffo’s Army had begun. However, Cullen’s penalty save will be remembered as a turning point that led to a revival of GAA in the capital and the classic Dublin v Kerry clashes that followed.

GAA top 20 Moments 1973 Jimmy Barry Murphy of Cork

A celebration of the finest moments in GAA History:

1973

Jimmy Barry Murphy of Cork

If I could I would have chosen twenty Jimmy Barry Murphy GAA moments in hurling, football and management. But the man we later came to know as God in Cork first came to national prominence in 1973.

He was nineteen, I was nine, and in the All Ireland Football Final against Galway JBM just looked the part. On a day when Cork wore all white with a red trim, to avoid a clash of colours, Jimmy Barry Murphy was the epitome of cool. The crew cut, the sideburns, the confidence – Barry Murphy had it all. Jimmy took a long fisted pass from Ray Cummins and in one sleek movement turned his way out of a tackle.

Then – and almost in slow motion -a teasing toe to hand that had the Galway defence, Michael O Hehir and the entire crowd wondering what the Boy Wonder would do next. With a swagger J B M planted the ball past the Galway defence and into the net at the Hill 16 end of the ground. But that’s not all.

The new King of Cork then raised his arms upwards to the heavens and a star was born in one iconic moment.

GAA top 20 Moments 1972 Eddie Keher of Kilkenny

A celebration of the finest moments in GAA History:

1972

Eddie Keher of Kilkenny

Rated one of the finest hurlers of all time, on a plateau of greatness alongside Christy Ring, Mick Mackey and from the modern era, D. J. Carey. In addition to his all-round skilful play, physical strength and field craft, Eddie was a scoring machine, shooting Kilkenny to success in six All-Ireland finals: 1963, 67, 69, 72, 74 and 75.

In the 1972 final, Cork were leading Kilkenny by eight points midway through the second half but they were overhauled and eventually lost a thrilling game by seven points.

Just before Kilkenny’s second-half comeback, Eddie Keher shot this spectacular goal from the wing – to remind a then dominant Cork that he was still there, and that the Kilkenny volcano was merely dormant, not extinct!


GAA top 20 Moments 1971 Babs Keating

A celebration of the finest moments in GAA History:

1971

Babs Keating Playing Bare-footed in Croke Park

(Sorry the sound on this one is distorted, not much to be done)

Babs Keating was an outstanding footballer and hurler for both Tipperary and Munster and he was an acknowledged class act in the original All-Stars of 1971. In 1971 in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship – which was won by Tipperary – Babs was outstanding that year. He was the scorer and make of many points and goals for his team.

In the All-Ireland final, he played in his bare feet. It was a rare sight, something different you could say, and he managed to play very well. First he took off one boot but he couldn’t run properly so he took off the second boot.

Then he took off both his stockings because he found that they were tripping him up. A remarkable sight, indeed.

GAA top 20 Moments 1966 Mattie McDonagh Goal

A celebration of the finest moments in GAA History

1966

Mattie McDonagh Goal – Galway Complete 3 in a Row.

Mattie McDonagh’s goal against Meath in the 1966 All-Ireland football decider was highly significant in that it was the only goal scored by Galway in their memorable final victories of 1964, 1965 and 1966. McDonagh, the only Connacht player to win four All-Ireland senior football medals, was a highly influential player in that 3-in-a-row success.

Mattie’s goal against Meath in the first half of that 1966 final had a major bearing on the outcome as it helped Galway establish an interval lead of 8 points. Liam Sammon initiated the move with a fisted pass to Cyril Dunne, who evaded the challenge of Meath’s full-back Jack Quinn.

Dunne’s shot across the goal was gathered by Mattie McDonagh who kicked the ball into the net past the Meath goalkeeper. Mattie’s goal, the only one in those three finals of ’64, ’65 and ’66, underlined the magnificence of the player himself and the Galway team of that era.

Sadly, Mattie McDonagh passed away in 2005, but his name and the legend live on, immortalised in the annuals of GAA lore and history. For more information on Mattie McDonagh check out:

Wikipedia | The Hogans Stand

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