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.