Dublin's All-Ireland triumph over Kerry in July was the 16th time the counties had met in an All-Ireland final. It also marked the 20th anniversary of a team lifting the Sam Maguire for the first time.
That was Tyrone back in 2003 in their all-Ulster final win over Armagh, who had secured their maiden win the season before, but the thought of a 20th county joining the winning roll of honour feels as far away as ever.
Of the 14 teams that entered last year’s championship season without an All-Ireland title to their name, 10 played in the Tailteann Cup meaning such success is nothing more than a dream at present.
The other four – Monaghan, Westmeath, Sligo and Clare – have two final appearances between them, Clare in 1917 and Monaghan in 1930.
It’s the Oriel County who appear to have the best chance of ending the wait with two Ulster titles and two All-Ireland semi-final appearances in recent times, but they still will enter the new season with a lot of rocky road to navigate if they are to reach the Promised Land.
The current wait for a first-time football winner is not the longest in the history of the association. It was 21 years between the first of three triumphs for Offaly in 1971 [also the last hurling side to lift Liam MacCarthy for the first time back in 1981] and Donegal famously bringing Sam to the Hills in 1992.
A look at the 19 first-time wins in the history of the All-Ireland SFC reveals no-shows due to train strikes, finals not played, incredible speeches, an appearance by Sam Maguire, famous reappearing acts and no shortage of drama.
Tyrone – 2003
A forgettable final, but that mattered little to Tyrone as they defeated holders and bitter rivals Armagh on a 0-12 to 0-09 scoreline. There were some memorable moments though, Peter Canavan leaving the field but returning in the second half to lead Mickey Harte’s side home and Conor Gormley’s incredible block on Stevie McDonnell in the final moments.
Armagh – 2002
Armagh’s penalty heartache in finals continued – they’d missed ones in their two previous visits in 1953 and ’77 – but Oisín McConville made amends not long after as he scored the crucial goal in the 1-12 to 0-14 win over Kerry. The clock read 61:55 when Armagh scored the winning point, some heroic defending helped them close Kerry out for the final 11 minutes and 21 seconds.
Derry – 1993
Derry emulated neighbours Donegal by winning a first All-Ireland 12 months after the Tir Chonaill County had. Enda Gormley scored half a dozen points and Seamus Downey goaled in the 1-14 to 2-08 win over a Cork side that were rocked by the incredibly harsh sending off of Tony Davis. A very talented side, it was a surprise that the Oakleaf County quickly didn’t add a second. They still haven't.
Donegal – 1992
The Hills of Donegal came alive as Brian McEniff’s side caused a big shock with a 0-18 to 0-14 win over Dublin. Charlie Redmond missed an early penalty for Dublin and Player of the Match Manus Boyle helped himself to nine points as captain Anthony Molloy proclaimed "Sam is for the Hills" to wild scenes.
Offaly – 1971
Two years after finding Kerry goalkeeper Johnny Culloty unbeatable in the final, Offaly returned to the big stage and made no mistake as they defeated Galway 1-14 to 2-08. Father Tom Gilooly’s side trailed by five points at the break with the Connacht side also kicking 12 first-half wides with the wind, but Murt Connor’s second-half goal was a big score in the 80-minute contest.
Down – 1960
A famous win not only for Down, but also the north as the Sam Maguire crossed the border for the first time. It was the Mourne Men's first championship meeting with Kerry and they have since won all five clashes. The game was tight until James McCartan’s shot from distance was fumbled into the net with Paddy Doherty driving a penalty to the net soon after in the 2-10 to 0-08 win.
Meath – 1949
Getting out of Leinster in the 1940s was a difficult task with Meath, Dublin, Wexford, Louth, Laois and Carlow winning provincial honours in that time, but only Dublin – in ’42 – had gone on to win the All-Ireland. That was until Meath added a second in ’49, defeating three in-a-row chasing Cavan 1-10 to 1-06. Paddy Connell dominated in the middle, Paddy Dixon shut down the great Mick Higgins and full-forward Bill Halpenny got that crucial goal.
Roscommon – 1943
Roscommon’s first leg of back-to-back All-Ireland successes, their only times lifting the Sam Maguire, was a special occasion, albeit not without ugly scenes. It was the Rossies' first time reaching the decider – and they needed two attempts to get over the line. The first game finished 1-06 to 1-06, but the Connacht outfit, a junior side three years earlier, made no mistake second time around with a 2-07 to 2-02 win over a Cavan team that had Joe Stafford sent off. Frankie Kinlough and Jack McQuillan were the goal scorers on a day when referee Paddy Mythen was assaulted and needed police protection to get off the field.
Mayo – 1936
There was no curse in 1936 as Mayo claimed the first of their three All-Ireland titles with a one-sided 4-11 to 0-05 win over Laois – the joint second largest winning margin, with only Cork’s 18-point win over Antrim in 1911 bettering them. Paddy Munnelly was the hero as he helped himself to a hat-trick for a side that contained Henry Kenny, father of future Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Cavan – 1933
The win that kick-started a glorious period for the Breffni County as they won five titles in 19 seasons. After final losses in 1925 and ’28, they returned to make amends with a four-point win over Galway. The first Ulster All-Ireland champions, first-half goals from by Louis Blessing and MJ 'Sonny’ Magee helped earn a 2-05 to 1-04 win.
Galway – 1925
One of the most unusual of All-Ireland successes. The title headed to Connacht, but very nearly to Galway’s neighbours Mayo. With their provincial campaign not complete by All-Ireland semi-final time, Mayo were nominated to represent Connacht and defeated Wexford. With Kerry and Cavan then being thrown out, Mayo were declared champions. That was until Galway defeated them in the Connacht final and in December the GAA declared that they were in fact the champions. Amidst protests, a separate tournament was held in early 1926 with Galway defeating Cavan in the final.
Louth – 1910
Another season, another final not played. Louth, captained by Larry McCormack, were handed the title without having to play as Kerry refused to travel due to Great Southern and Western Railway declining to sell tickets to their supporters at reduced rates. A vote to replay the final, held in December of that year, lost 7-6.
Kildare – 1905
Played in Thurles in 1907, some two years after the scheduled date, Kildare’s maiden triumph was a double scores 1-07 to 0-05 win over Kerry. The Kingdom were initially awarded the title after Kildare refused to travel to Munster, but they eventually did and were glad of it as Jack Connolly’s goal, after his initial effort struck the crossbar, secured a famous day.
Kerry – 1903
Another All-Ireland season delayed by two years – the Leinster championship started in November 1903 and was finished in June 1905 – ended with Kerry defeating London 0-11 to 0-03 in November 1905. Back then, after the home final, where Kerry defeated Kildare, the champions went on to play London. It would be the last time the English side would get a bye into the final. The losing side were captained by a certain Sam Maguire.
Wexford – 1893
Phoenix Park was the venue for the 18933 final - played a year late - as Wexford defeated Cork 1-01 to 0-02. Originally fixed for Ashford Trotting Grounds, the players refused to play on account of the long grass and the goalposts were moved to the park. The Model County were represented by Young Ireland’s, a club from the Selskar area of their main town. Sixteen minutes from time, the crowd rushed the field as unruly scenes broke out. Cork left and the match was awarded to Wexford. The Rebels at least did win the hurling title earlier on in the day.
Dublin – 1891
In a final played in 1892, Dublin, represented by Young Ireland’s, were crowned All-Ireland champions for the first time following a 2-01 to 1-09 win over Cork at Clonturk Park – goals outweighing any number of points in that time. Cork had scored a second goal, eventually disallowed, and unsuccessfully appealed the result.
Cork – 1890
The first of only four times in the history of the GAA that the double has been done and the Rebel footballers kept up their end of the bargain with a big win over Wexford, the game played in 1892 as delays again held up the competitions. Midleton represented Cork. The game included an eight-minute delay as a Cork substitute, needed for an injured player, couldn’t be located.
Tipperary – 1889
Laois have the dubious honour of being the only team not to score in an All-Ireland football final as they lost 3-06 to 0-00 to Tipperary in Inchicore. For some, given the way the game is going, Laois may have company soon. Bohercrowe, who would later become current club Arravale Rovers, represented the eventual champions.
Limerick – 1887
Limerick were the first-ever official All-Ireland champions, beating Louth in a 21-a-side fixture. Louth may have lost but one of their own, John Maguire, was the man to score the first-ever point in a final. Limerick’s William Spain scored the first-ever goal.
