When it comes to diversity, Sunday's All-Ireland final between Derry’s Glen and Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes will feature the two counties who do it best in the race for the Andy Merrigan Cup.
Kilmacud’s semi-final win over Kerins O’Rahilly’s ensures that Dublin will have a team in the final for the 16th time, just one behind roll of honour leaders Cork who have had a side compete for the trophy on 17 occasions.
Glen’s win over Maigh Cuilinn takes Derry up to eight appearances, level with Armagh and Roscommon but behind Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Mayo and Galway in that particular list.
Where the two counties stand out though is the spread of teams that have marched out on All-Ireland final day, Dublin leading the way with eight teams enjoying that privilege over those 16 finals while Derry’s eight days in the sun have been the work of six different outfits.
Here’s how those clubs have performed.
DERRY
Slaughtneil – 2015, 2017
No club has ever enjoyed such a sustained assault on All-Ireland titles in such a short space of time as the Slaughtneil club who came at it on three fronts between 2016 and 2021.
While their camogs completed a brilliant three in a row, their male counterparts were unable to get over the line in two codes.
On four occasions their hurlers saw their hopes ended at the All-Ireland semi-final stage, but their footballers did manage to make the final twice.
In 2015 they went down heavily to arguably the greatest club team of all time in Corofin, and while they were much more competitive two years later against Dr Croke’s, the first-half dismissal of Padraig Cassidy proved crucial in the two-point loss as Colm Cooper finally got his hands on the Andy Merrigan Cup.
Bellaghy - 1972, 1995
Bellaghy were the second-ever side to be crowned All-Ireland Club champions after East Kerry had won the inaugural tournament in 1971.
They defeated the star-studded UCC in the final, 0-15 to 1-11, with their joy tempered two weeks later as their hall was burnt down in a sectarian attack.
The Wolfe Tones made it back to the final in 1995 where they lost to Kilmacud 0-08 to 0-05. That was the last Dublin-Derry final until this weekend, and the Crokes will be hoping it’s a good omen.
Ballerin – 1977
Ballerin may be in the junior division in Derry right now, but in 1976 they were kings of Ulster and a few months later they hit Galway side Killererin for five goals in the semi-final.
That set up a final meeting with Kerry’s Austin Stacks, and two early goals had the Ulster side dreaming of glory, but a Paudie McCarthy goal and an exhibition of free-taking from Mike Sheehy saw the trophy head south instead.
Lavey – 1991
Lavey’s 1991 All-Ireland success nearly didn’t happen as a James McCartan inspired Tir Chonaill Gaels nearly dumped them out in the quarter-final in Ballinascreen.
An extra-time win, after a controversial normal-time equaliser, was followed by another tight encounter, a two-point win over Dublin’s Thomas Davis in the semi-final.
The final was more comfortable though as they defeated Salthill-Knocknacarra 2-09 to 0-10, Don Mulholland and Brian McCormick with the goals.
Ballinderry – 2002
It may not have been Croke Park, but Ballinderry were nevertheless ecstatic when they claimed the All-Ireland title with a 2-10 to 0-09 win over Cork’s Nemo Rangers 21 years ago in Thurles.
Brian McIver’s side were boosted by Declan Bateson’s early goal and looked in good shape as they led by five points in the second half. Nemo fought back though and it took a second major from Ger Cassidy to secure the title.
Star forward Conleith Gilligan had a quite final, but he came out on top and also coached Kilcoo to the title 20 years later.
Glen – 2023
In November 2021, Glen delivered on years of underage promise by delivering their first-ever Derry title with a comprehensive win over Slaughtneil.
Just 14 months later, they are in an All-Ireland final after retaining their county title, dumping out All-Ireland champions Kilcoo in the Ulster final and edging Maigh Cuilinn 1-11 to 0-12 in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Malachy O’Rourke will be hoping to lead the side to more history at Croke Park.
DUBLIN
St Vincent’s - 1973, 1976, 1985, 2008, 2014
With three titles to their name, St Vincent’s sit joint fourth in the All-Ireland roll of honour alongside Cork’s St Finbarr’s.
They lost their first final in 1973 to Nemo after a replay, but made no mistake three years later as they hammered Roscommon Gaels with former Dublin boss Mickey Whelan grabbing their first of four goals.
They would lose a low-scoring final to Castleisland Desmonds in 1985, 2-02 to 0-07, with the Kerry side stealing it with a dramatic later goal.
Their most recent visits in 2008 and 2014 would both end in victory as Nemo Rangers and Castlebar were downed.
Kilmacud Crokes - 1995, 2009, 2022, 2023
The 1995 season was a special one in the capital as Dublin won the All-Ireland title, and Kilmacud had made it an extra special year by earlier winning the club title.
Goalkeeper Mick Pender was the hero in the final as he saved Damian Cassidy’s penalty in the 0-08 to 0-05 win over Derry’s Bellaghy.
Mark Davoren’s early goal saw them upset Crossmaglen in 2009 while they came agonisingly close to a third crown in 2022 with Kilcoo nabbing it off them as Jerome Johnston struck for a goal in the final play of extra-time.
It’s their fourth final now, and the fourth time coming up against Ulster opposition.
UCD – 1974, 1975
The 1970s were a special time for UCD as they won back-to-back All-Ireland titles to go with six Sigerson crowns.
The first of those All-Ireland victories came in a replay against Armagh’s Clan na Gael, with the college outfit blessed with the talents of the likes of Monaghan’s Paddy Kerr and Kerry legend John O’Keeffe.
The 1975 decider was also a close-run affair as they beat Nemo Rangers 1-11 to 0-12.
Thomas Davis – 1992
Thomas Davis came close to All-Ireland glory 31 years ago but Kerry’s Dr. Croke’s were one-point winners with Colm Cooper acting as mascot for the victors.
'Gooch’s’ older brother Danny was sent off early in the second half, and the Munster champions were seeing their big lead being whittled away, but they held on.
Erin's Isle – 1998
Erin's Isle are another Dublin club who have made one losing appearance in the final having lost out 0-15 to 0-10 to Corofin in 1998.
They have only two Dublin titles to their name, 1993 and ‘97, but they very nearly made the absolute most out of the latter of those.
In front of a very healthy crowd, the Leinster champions started well and led by two heading towards half time, but a four-point salvo gave Corofin an interval cushion.
Erin's Isle missed a great goal chance heading into the final 10 minutes but they pointed moments later to leave it 0-10 to 0-10.
However, the Connacht side hit five points on the spin to triumph with 39-year-old Gerry Burke starring.
Na Fianna – 2000
The 2000 All-Ireland final between Crossmaglen and Na Fianna had some interesting sub plots, not least the fact that recently installed Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney would be going up against county team-mates like Oisin McConville and the McEntees, John and Tony.
Cross ran out 1-14 to 0-12 winners at Croke Park with McConville hitting 1-06 while Dublin boss Dessie Farrell helped himself to a couple of scores for Na Fianna while another Armagh player – Des Mackin – was also on target for the Leinster champions.
Ballymun Kickhams – 2013
The fact that Ballymun’s sole appearance in an All-Ireland final was one of the best in recent times will matter little as they lost to Roscommon’s St Brigid’s by a point 10 years ago.
The Dublin side raced eight points clear after 10 minutes after two early goals from Dean Rock and Philly McMahon, but St Brigid’s fought back with goals of their own through Senan Kilbride and Karol Mannion.
It was Frankie Dolan who proved the hero though as his late point gave Roscommon it’s first-ever winner in the competition on a 2-11 to 2-10 scoreline.
Ballyboden St Enda’s - 2016
Ballyboden are the last Dublin side to have lifted the Andy Merrigan Cup after a comprehensive 2-14 to 0-07 win over Castlebar in 2016.
The damage was done in the early skirmishes as they moved nine points clear, Colm Basquel and club stalwart Andrew Kerin finding the net.
That paved the way to a 13-point win in a game that had been expected to go the distance.
