125 years, how was it for your county?

[GalwayBayBoy]

From de Indo.

Saturday October 31 2009

AS the GAA celebrates its 125th anniversary tomorrow it would be nice to think that the Association's title wealth has been shared out fairly evenly over the years but, unfortunately, that's far from being the case.

In fact, the spread is depressingly inequitable. The top six -- Cork, Kilkenny, Kerry, Tipperary, Dublin and Galway -- have taken 70pc of the senior, minor and U-21 All-Ireland titles in football and hurling; the top 12 have 86pc while the top 16 have won 93pc. The bottom 10 have won less than 1pc of the titles.

So what have the first 125 years been like for your county? Cork have won most titles in senior, minor and U-21 (86) followed by Kilkenny, Kerry, Tipp, Dublin and Galway. Seven counties have yet to win an All-Ireland title in any grade.

Cork (86)

Despite strikes and strife in recent years, Cork are by some distance the most successful county, having won 24 titles more than nearest challengers Kilkenny. Cork are three behind Kilkenny on the hurling side but score heavily in football.

Biggest achievements: Hurling four-in-a-row 1941-44; senior football-hurling double 1990.

What might have been: A poor performance against Tipperary in the 1945 Munster hurling semi-final wrecked Cork's All-Ireland five-in-a-row dream. Would Cork have won the six-in-a-row if it hadn't been for one bad day in Thurles?

Kilkenny (62)

Celebrate GAA 125 in record-breaking mode, having dominated the hurling decade like no other county before. Have won 14 of a possible 30 titles at senior, U-21 and minor level this decade. Clearly, their hurling systems are in perfect working order. Not so with football.

Biggest achievement: All-Ireland four-in-a-row this year.

What might have been: Had Noel Hickey been playing against Galway in the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final, it's unlikely Kilkenny would have conceded five goals (or lost). In fact, they might now be five-in-a-row holders.

Kerry (58)

Football's dominant force by a huge margin but it tends to be forgotten that they also won an All-Ireland SH title in 1891. One of only eight counties to have taken the big prize in both codes.

Biggest achievement: Eight All-Ireland titles in 1975-86, including the four-in-a-row in 1978-81.

What might have been: Why didn't they keep a closer eye on Seamus Darby in the closing minutes of the 1982 final?

Tipperary (56)

The only missing link across the six grades in both codes is U-21 football. Tipp have lost ground on Kilkenny and Cork on the senior hurling leaderboard, having been well clear in the mid-60s.

Biggest achievement: All-Ireland SH three-in-a-row in 1949-51.

What might have been: How was such a formidable forward line held to 0-8 by Waterford in the 1963 Munster SH final? Won the 1961-62-64-65 All-Irelands which makes it reasonable to assume the five-in-a-row should have been on.

Dublin (43)

Tick five of the six All-Ireland title boxes across the grades but are still missing out on U-21 hurling. Hold 28 SF and SH titles but 26 of them came pre-1978 and 20 pre-1940.

Biggest achievement: Three All-Ireland and six Leinster SF titles in 1974-79.

What might have been: If Lar Foley hadn't been sent off in the 1961 SH final would they have beaten Tipperary instead of a losing by a point in what was their last appearance in the final?

Galway (39)

They have won All-Irelands across all six codes but, in hurling in particular, there's a feeling that they should have won more than three titles over the past 30 years. In football, Galway have tended to peak in occasional bursts, followed by long periods of mediocrity.

Biggest achievement: All-Ireland SF three-in-a-row, 1964-65-66.

What might have been: Did New York wreck them twice? Would the three-in-a-row footballers have added to their haul if they hadn't had to face Mayo in the 1967 Connacht semi-final a few weeks after returning from a two-leg NFL final in New York? Would the hurlers have completed the treble in 1989 if Tony Keady hadn't been suspended for playing in New York?

Limerick (16)

It tends to be forgotten that Limerick have won both All-Ireland SF and SH titles but it's all very much in the past, especially for football who won both titles over 100 years ago.

Biggest achievement: The 1933-40 era which yielded three All-Ireland SH, five Munster and five NHL titles.

What might have been: Had they packed the goal line late in the 1994 All-Ireland final against Offaly, would they have prevented Johnny Dooley scoring a goal from a free which ignited a revival that turned into a victory?

Wexford (15)

They have 11 senior All-Ireland titles between hurling and football, 10 of which came pre-1970. Remain one of the few genuine dual counties but have difficulties balancing both codes which tends to have a negative impact overall.

Biggest achievement: Winning hurling two-in-a-row in 1955-56.

What might have been: If they weren't in the same province as Kilkenny would they have done much better over the last decade, in particular?

Tyrone (14)

Have zoomed up the football rankings this decade. Other than Kerry and Dublin, no other county won three senior All-Irelands in the same decade since Galway and Down in the 1960s.

Biggest achievement: Making the senior All-Ireland breakthrough in 2003.

What might have been: Had Eugene McKenna and John Lynch not got injured during the 1986 All-Ireland final would Sam Maguire have visited Tyrone 17 years earlier than he did?

Mayo (13)

They complete the 125th year with an ache in their hearts. Sam Maguire has refused to go that far west since 1951.

Biggest achievement: Winning the All-Ireland SF double in 1950-51.

What might have been: If they had cut out Colm Coyle's long-range kick, which hopped over the bar to draw Meath level late in the 1996 All-Ireland final, would Mayo have finally ended the famine?

Offaly (12)

Given their small population, they are the most successful county of all, having won All-Ireland titles in five of the six grades in hurling and football. All of their 12 titles were won since 1964.

Biggest achievement: All-Ireland SF double, 1971-72.

What might have been: If Anthony Daly's free hadn't hit the post allowing Eamonn Taaffe to score a goal for Clare late in the 1995 All-Ireland SH final would Offaly have completed the two-in-a-row?

Meath (11)

Didn't win their first All-Ireland SF title until 1949 but are now in fourth place on the honours table (seven titles), having enjoyed their best spell between ;87 and '99 when they won four finals.

Biggest achievement: The All-Ireland SF two-in-a row, 1987-88.

What might have been: If Colm O'Rourke had been fit to start the 1991 All-Ireland final, would they have beaten Down instead of losing by two points after staging a great comeback?

Down (10)

The first county to bring the Sam Maguire Cup across the border in 1960 which they followed up with a double a year later.

They have been left behind by Tyrone and Armagh in this decade.

Biggest achievement: The All-Ireland SF two-in-a row, 1960-61.

What might have been: Had their forwards not been so wasteful, would they have stopped Galway's three-in-a-row gallop in the 1965 semi-final and gone on to win their third title of the decade?

Roscommon (

Eight All-Ireland titles in the three main football grades is a whole lot better than several other counties of similar size.

Biggest achievement: The All-Ireland SF two-in-a-row, 1943-44.

What might have been: They led Kerry by five points early in the 1980 All-Ireland final but tied up from there on. It was a lost opportunity in a game which Kerry admit they were fortunate to win.

Cavan (7)

Their five senior and two minor All-Irelands had all been secured by 1952, making Cavan a power of the past with no sign of a return to the glory trail.

Biggest achievement: The All-Ireland SF two-in-a row, 1947-48.

What might have been: Level after 47 minutes against Kerry in the 1997 All-Ireland semi-final, ran out of momentum just when it looked like they would drive on.

Derry (7)

All seven titles have come since 1965. They would feel that Sam Maguire should have made more than one visit over the past 20 years.

Biggest achievement: Winning All-Ireland SF title for the first time in 1993.

What might have been: Would they have completed the All-Ireland double in 1994 had they beaten Down in an Ulster championship tie which is regarded as one of the real classics?

Clare (5)

All-Ireland hurling titles only in the Banner, with four of their five coming since 1995. Internal wrangling hasn't helped their cause in recent seasons.

Biggest achievement: Winning All-Ireland titles in 1995-97.

What might have been: Would they have made it a double in 1998 only for that early whistle in the All-Ireland semi-final against Offaly?

Kildare (5)

All four of their SF titles were won by 1928 so they really have been trapped in the desert for a very long time. Lack of success at underage level is a giveaway as to why it continues to happen.

Biggest achievement: Winning the All-Ireland SF double, 1927-28.

What might have been: If Larry Tompkins and Shea Fahy were playing with their native county rather than Cork, would Kildare have won an All-Ireland title in the Mick O'Dwyer era?

Louth (5)

Three senior and two minor All-Irelands by 1957. It's impossible to envisage any return to those heights.

Biggest achievement: Winning the 1957 All-Ireland SF title.

What might have been: A late goal robbed them against Meath in the 2002 qualifiers. A win against the Royals would have been precious at that time.

Waterford (5)

Unlucky not to have won an All-Ireland SH title since re-emerging as Munster champions in 2002. Had Waterford been as good in the 1990s they would probably have made the breakthrough, there were years when the standard wasn't all that high.

Biggest achievement: Winning the All-Ireland SH finals in 1959 after beating Galway, Tipperary, Cork and Kilkenny.

What might have been: If the 'back door' wasn't in place, would they have won the 2004 All-Ireland title? Cork and Kilkenny lost in the provinces but returned to contest the final.

Armagh (4)

Have ticked all three All-Ireland football boxes this decade, including winning a first senior title. Seven Ulster titles since 1999 is also a huge achievement.

Biggest achievement: First All-Ireland SF title in 2002.

What might have been: If Diarmuid Marsden hadn't been sent off (he was subsequently exonerated) in the 2003 final against Tyrone would Armagh have completed the double?

Laois (4)

A return to power at senior level in Leinster football in 2003 and three minor All-Irelands since 1996 was a big improvement on previous times. Still, there's a feeling that the senior team underachieved. Hurling has been disappointing for years but the seniors are getting better under Niall Rigney.

Biggest achievement: Winning the 1915 All-Ireland SH title.

What might have been: The footballers could've done better in the Mick O'Dwyer era if they regarded the '03 Leinster win as a start rather than an end in itself.

Donegal (3)

Three All-Irelands in senior and U-21 since '82 represents a lot better than what went before.

Biggest achievement: Winning the senior All-Ireland for the first time in 1992.

What might have been: Did bad weather wreck their chances of retaining the title in 1993?

The monsoon conditions which ruined the Ulster final were totally unsuited to Donegal's game, allowing Derry to edge to a two-point win. Derry went on to win the All-Ireland.

Westmeath (2)

All-Irelands at minor and U-21 level and a senior Leinster in past 14 years makes it their best period in football.

Biggest achievement: Winning Leinster SF title for the first time in 2004.

What might have been: Underperformed against Derry in the 2004 All-Ireland quarter-final when they had a real chance of extending the great adventure.

Antrim (1)

They remain a genuine dual county, albeit without much success at the highest level. The GAA badly needs an Antrim surge in either code.

Biggest achievement: Winning the 1969 All-Ireland U-21 football title.

What might have been: Came within two points of Meath in the 1951 All-Ireland SF semi-final. Close enough to leave them dreaming of a lost opportunity.

London (1)

Have done what so many counties have failed to do -- win an All-Ireland title.

Biggest achievement: Winning the 1901 All-Ireland SH title.

What might have been: London ran Roscommon to a point in the 2005 Connacht championship as they chased their first championship win since 1977.

Carlow (0)

Little success but have always promoted both codes unlike some counties.

Biggest achievement: Winning the 1944 Leinster SF title.

What might have been: Ran Kerry to two points in the 1944 semi-final.

Fermanagh (0)

Together with Wicklow, they are the only counties not to have won a senior provincial title. Have had a good decade and were very unlucky not to make the Ulster breakthrough in 2008.

Biggest achievement: Reaching the 2004 All-Ireland semi-final.

What might have been: Came so close to beating Mayo in the 2004 All-Ireland semi-final which they lost by two points in a replay.

Leitrim (0)

Can find only occasional escapes from the large traps set by Galway and Mayo.

Biggest achievement: 1994 Connacht SF title.

What might have been: Very unlucky in qualifier ties against Meath and Donegal this decade.

Longford (0)

The glory period of the 1960's when they won an NFL and a Leinster title showed what the county is capable of but it hasn't been replicated since.

Biggest achievement: Winning the 1966 NFL and the 1968 Leinster SF titles.

What might have been: It took a great save from Johnny Culloty late on to steer Kerry to a two-point win over Longford in the 1968 All-Ireland semi.

Monaghan (0)

Hard to believe they don't have an All-Ireland title in any grade.

Biggest achievement: 1985 NFL title.

What might have been: Drew with the great Kerry team in the 1985 All-Ireland semi-final. Just one more point....

Sligo (0)

Like Leitrim, they find it very hard to shake off Galway and Mayo.

Biggest achievements: Winning the 1975 and 2007 Connacht SF titles.

What might have been: Ran the Galway three-in-a-row team to three points in 1964 and 65. Sligo would have won titles in less vintage times for Connacht.

Wicklow (0)

Still without a Leinster SF title but the quest gets more exciting all the time.

Biggest achievement: Winning four SF championship games this year.

What might have been: If they'd taken their goal chances against Kildare last July the fairytale would have continued into an All-Ireland quarter-final.

[SLIGONIAN]

Sligo (0)

Like Leitrim, they find it very hard to shake off Galway and Mayo.

Biggest achievements: Winning the 1975 and 2007 Connacht SF titles. & 1928

What might have been: Ran the Galway three-in-a-row team to three points in 1964 and 65. Sligo would have won titles in less vintage times for Connacht.



My Dad was at these games, He said we drew one and were 10 pts up in the 2nd half in another. Recons Sligo were Galway toughest opponents. Kerins was in his prime then.

But lets call a spade a spade AIs over 50 yrs ago dont count.

[ballinaman]

  Obvious dig there Sligonian but thats grand!! All sporting achievements of more than 50 years old should be stricken from the record books....Jesse Owens...Who??? Roger Banister...gone!! Babe Ruth...sorry, has to go too!That Spartan lad who ran to Marathon...fair effort but he gotta go

[ross4life]

Mayo (13) to Galway (39) & they call themselves rivals?

Mayo (13) to Roscommon (8 ) sounds more even don't ya think

[Farrandeelin]

Sligo's All-Irelands don't count then either Sligonian... wait there's none to count!

[SLIGONIAN]

I was getting at the amount of objections etc... that won AIs back in the day.

How many AIs have ye mayolads actually seen ye win? I think losing an AI final should be deducted from the ones ye win which leaves mayo at -250 

[Rossfan]

Mayo (13) to Galway (39) & they call themselves rivals?

Mayo (13) to Roscommon (8 ) sounds more even don't ya think

We should get extra points for batin' Kerry in AIFs in the 3 grades so let's make it 11 to us    ( not to mention another bonus point as a certain GAA club in West Ros won't play with us  )

[Farrandeelin]

Ah yes the terrible two are back again. It's nice to see the pair of you both having a go at Mayo. Well firstly Rossfan, Ballaghadereen plays it's football in Mayo, it WANTED TO GO TO ROS in the early days of 20th century but wasn't allowed by Ros co board.

I've seen Mayo win 1 AI SLIGONIAN , the U-21 in 2006. Not many you may say but still more than your lot in history.

[Barney]

Rossfan just remember how determined Andy Moran was to push home the pain last June in McHale Park.

He wasn't dreaming of wearing primose and blue that day.

[Rossfan]

He always wears it when he has a choice though 
Anyway like the honourable man he is he would give his best for the only County team he is eligible to play for even against the team he supports.

However ye Rhubarb bucks should be seriously concerned at ye're underachievements on the National stage.
Meanwhile  the pessimists and nay sayers in our County should be proud that a poor County with a small population ( and even smaller percentage of males in the 18-35 age group) has done so well down the years ...and will again in the near future. .

[southsidejohnny]

Sligonian, you are a glutton for punishment, bottom of another pile, whether Mayo won their titles 50 or a hundred years ago its immeterial. You will never see a Sligo team win an All Ireland in your life time unless its the two hand reel in Score. You lot are an embaressment, worst by a country mile in poor old Connacht. You should take up soccer and follow the bit o what ever they go under nowadays.

[Farrandeelin]

He always wears it when he has a choice though 
Anyway like the honourable man he is he would give his best for the only County team he is eligible to play for even against the team he supports.

However ye Rhubarb bucks should be seriously concerned at ye're underachievements on the National stage.
Meanwhile  the pessimists and nay sayers in our County should be proud that a poor County with a small population ( and even smaller percentage of males in the 18-35 age group) has done so well down the years ...and will again in the near future. .

Who's saying we're not concerned? I'd call it embarrassment to be honest, but what can one do? I mean what 42 Senior Connacht titles and only 3 AIs, FFS, Down have 5 AIs and only 12 Ulsters or something!!!

[longrunsthefox]

Tyrone (14)

Have zoomed up the football rankings this decade. Other than Kerry and Dublin, no other county won three senior All-Irelands in the same decade since Galway and Down in the 1960s.

Biggest achievement: Making the senior All-Ireland breakthrough in 2003.

What might have been: Had Eugene McKenna and John Lynch not got injured during the 1986 All-Ireland final would Sam Maguire have visited Tyrone 17 years earlier than he did?

Don't agree with that. No harm on Kevin McCabe but he had a nightmare-maybe was nerves. Blew the penalty and was destroyed by Spillane... if he had been on form...maybe...
Frank McGuigan would have helped too but was in that car crash

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

What might have been: Had Eugene McKenna and John Lynch not got injured during the 1986 All-Ireland final would Sam Maguire have visited Tyrone 17 years earlier than he did?

Don't agree with that. No harm on Kevin McCabe but he had a nightmare-maybe was nerves. Blew the penalty and was destroyed by Spillane... if he had been on form...maybe...
Frank McGuigan would have helped too but was in that car crash

Disagree totally with you there fox. Mc Cabe should have buried the ball in the net, certainly, but there was nothing that lifted Kerry more that day than Mc Kenna having to go off injured -- he'd caused havoc in the Kerry defence with his magnificent fielding and lethal distribution when he was moved to half-forward. We might have coped with that retirement had that been our only affliction that day, but Tar Lynch then having to retire sealed our fate. We didn't have the defensive wherewithal to stem the Kerry attacks after he went off. We were coping reasonably comfortably with them before that, and Lynch was immense, much more so than he's ever been given general credit for.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Mayo (13) to Galway (39) & they call themselves rivals?

Mayo (13) to Roscommon (8 ) sounds more even don't ya think

You know very well that alot of Galways titles are hurling. Thats a south of the Esker Riada sport as far as I understand, with somehow Antrim & Kerry getting a little confused.