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!
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.
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:
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.