All-Ireland Finals... that nearly happened

[BennyCake]

I was just thinking about Fermanagh's big chance in 2004 to reach a first All Ireland final. And it got me thinking about All Ireland finals that nearly happened, if one (or two) losing semi finalist had actually won. 

What would have been the most unusual AI final pairing?

Here are a few I thought of...

1992 - Donegal v Clare
1994 - Down v Leitrim
1997 - Cavan v Offaly
2004 - Fermanagh v Derry

[Sidney]

Tyrone v Armagh 2003 was at least as unusual as any of those possible pairings.

[T Fearon]

What about Monaghan V Mayo in 1985 (both drew their semi finals against giants Kerry and Dublin respectively that year).

[seafoid]

Tyrone v Armagh 2003 was at least as unusual as any of those possible pairings.

one all ireland between the 2 of them at the time so very unusual. Arrivistes. Cavan v offaly in 97 would have had a good few more.

[GalwayBayBoy]

What about Monaghan V Mayo in 1985 (both drew their semi finals against giants Kerry and Dublin respectively that year).

Who would have won that final though?

[Milltown Row2]

What about Monaghan V Mayo in 1985 (both drew their semi finals against giants Kerry and Dublin respectively that year).

Who would have won that final though?

Monaghan of course, Mayo don't final ffs

[BennyCake]

Tyrone v Armagh 2003 was at least as unusual as any of those possible pairings.

one all ireland between the 2 of them at the time so very unusual. Arrivistes. Cavan v offaly in 97 would have had a good few more.

Yes, but it was a rarity that both were provincial champions that year.

[Captain Obvious]

What about Monaghan V Mayo in 1985 (both drew their semi finals against giants Kerry and Dublin respectively that year).

Who would have won that final though?

Monaghan of course, Mayo don't final ffs

In fairness back in 1985 Mayo weren't known for losing finals.

[SkillfulBill]

What about Monaghan V Mayo in 1985 (both drew their semi finals against giants Kerry and Dublin respectively that year).

Who would have won that final though?

Monaghan of course, Mayo don't final ffs

In fairness back in 1985 Mayo weren't known for losing finals.

They were keeping that dirty little secret for later.  Went to the 06 final and swore I'd never go back to a final which include Mayo until the have won the fi'ing thing. They are my second county after Tyrone and they even frustrate the sh1t out of me.

[seafoid]

00 Armagh vs Kildare
98 Derry vs Kildare

One of the things about winning an all Ireland is the huge gulf in terms of attention between the winners and the losers.
10 of the Galway players from the 98 final have Wikipedia entries and only Christy Byrne of the Kildare team has

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship

[Farrandeelin]

What about Monaghan V Mayo in 1985 (both drew their semi finals against giants Kerry and Dublin respectively that year).

Who would have won that final though?

Monaghan of course, Mayo don't final ffs

In fairness back in 1985 Mayo weren't known for losing finals.

They were keeping that dirty little secret for later.  Went to the 06 final and swore I'd never go back to a final which include Mayo until the have won the fi'ing thing. They are my second county after Tyrone and they even frustrate the sh1t out of me.

Try having them as your first. 

[moysider]

00 Armagh vs Kildare
98 Derry vs Kildare

One of the things about winning an all Ireland is the huge gulf in terms of attention between the winners and the losers.
10 of the Galway players from the 98 final have Wikipedia entries and only Christy Byrne of the Kildare team has

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship

Who de f**k is Christy Byrne?

[Sidney]

00 Armagh vs Kildare
98 Derry vs Kildare

One of the things about winning an all Ireland is the huge gulf in terms of attention between the winners and the losers.
10 of the Galway players from the 98 final have Wikipedia entries and only Christy Byrne of the Kildare team has

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship

Six Kildare players have Wikipedia entries.

[BennyHarp]

Maybe not in the category of nearly happened, but a Down v Derry All Ireland final could have happened in 1994 had the back door been around then. Probably the two best teams in the country that year.

[muppet]

Maybe not in the category of nearly happened, but a Down v Derry All Ireland final could have happened in 1994 had the back door been around then. Probably the two best teams in the country that year.

On that note...

1998 Galway v Mayo.

My money wouldn't have been on us.