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As a Rebel living in the beautiful Kingdom of Kerry I was saddened to see my side collapse in Croke Park. I did not leave the stadium early and I continued to shout for my beloved county, while at the same time being mesmerised by the talent of this present Kerry side. What a team! The memory of a great Cork win some weeks before against Meath and the joy it brought to my young son Robin, on his first visit to Croke Park, will live in my memory, as indeed his, forever. Later that day at Heuston Station, Robin was graciously received when he approached his hero James Masters for an autograph, to tell him he had travelled from the Kingdom that day to support Cork, and meet him, the water boy on that day! Yes, we have lost an All-Ireland but what a journey it has been and what joy this Cork side have brought to us its supporters. Football is not all about winning it is about fun and friendship too, building magic moments and memories for young and old alike. To the James Masterses of football, thank you for the memories. Looking forward to football in 2008! Mary Warner.
Congratulations to Kerry from a humble West Cork man. The better team won. With a mother from Dingle and a father from Clonakilty, you may think I would be somewhat confused as to where I place my allegiance, but being born and bred in West Cork, naturally my allegiance is to the Rebels. On the game itself, Billy Morgan should take a leaf out of Jack Charlton’s book. Defenders should never mess around with the ball in defence, and should immediately clear their lines, and put the opposition under pressure starting from the opponents' defence, right up the field. I hope that Billy stays on, and find a few new players. I hope Cork do not become mentally fragile, like Mayo after last year’s final. I have faith that the Rebels shall be back, as they have to feel the pain of defeat, before enjoying the raptures of victory. As for Kerry, there is no stopping them. A great team, with a secret formula for repeating success. Perhaps the Cork hurlers could learn something from them???? Sean O’Donovan.
Here are some pics of the Football final from Koh Samui. Cork outnumbered the Kerry supporters. A bunch of lads from Killucan in Westmeath dropped in to watch the final as well. A great time was had by all. Thanks to the people at the RTÉ Fan Gallery for posting the pictures over the last couple of months, it's been great for all the travelling fans to see themselves on your site. They have travelled from far and wide to be here in Samui to catch a game (the only establishment in SE Asia providing the GAA live on RTÉ Two). Many thanks from Ourbar staff for the quality coverage and best wishes for next year's GAA competitions. Best regards, Michael Valentine Doyle, Managing director, Ourbar. PS, our heartfelt condolences go out to the unfortunate victims and their families of the air crash at Phuket airport today.
Congratulations to Declan O'Sullivan and the Kerry Team. Well done lads, enjoy the celebrations, you deserve it. UP THE KINGDOM!!!!!!! And up Scart!!!!!!!! Elizabeth Horan, Windy City.
A note for Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh: Greetings from 26 Irish Volunteers working in Children’s Orphanage in Hincesti, Moldova, listening on the internet!! The tension is mighty with a big contingent from both Cork and Kerry !!! Great commentary as always! Míle Buichios. Liz (Cork Leader) & Mercy (Kerry Legend).
Here's an UP THE REBELS from Dominic O' Sullivan living in Beckum, Germany. I come from Ballyphehane, Cork. I envy the people living in the States, Canada, Australia, etc. Can't get the game on the German telly as in the aforementioned countries. Will have to be satisfied with the reports from the Internet. Still, it's better than nothing. It's about time for Cork to win an All-Ireland Football final. If we lose on Sunday I'll still regard the Kerry people as the nicest people in Ireland. If we get a beating we can handle it. This is what the GAA is all about. Sportsmanship! May the best team win. Regards from Germany, Dominic O' Sullivan.
Best of luck to the Kerry team, especially to Killian Young, from his little cousin Layla Nelan in Omaha, Nebraska.
Hi to Henriette O'Hara (Ballybunion, Co Kerry), Michael and Tom who are watching the game in Gaelic Park, Chicago, from all your Family and friends in Ballybunion.
Best wishes to the Cork team on Sunday from all the DO-BOI (DUBAI) CELTS GAA CLUB. Pictured are (l-r) Daithi Hanley, Liam O'Connell, Barry O'Connor, Shane O'Neill and Sean O'Shéa. GO ON THE REBELS!!!!
Come on Kerry. Show your class and bring Sam back down through Cork on its way to Kerry! Will be watching the game in South Wales with mam and family from Headford. Hello to all the Kelly family. Let the bonfires roar on Monday evening to greet the train! Tony Phillips.
Hello all the way from New Zealand. Out here as part of a year's travel that has already seen us visit Chicaoi, San Fran, Hawaii, and Fiji. In Queenstown on the south island now and we must set off early on Sunday to drive nine hours to Christchurch as it is the only place on the south island that is showing the match. Four Nemo Rangers boys wishing Billy and the Rebels the very best of luck. Special day for us as we have Billy's nephew William as part of the crew. Eoin Weldon, Michael Kearney and William Morgan all from Turner's Cross and Niall Buckley from Douglas.
I saw that Pat Carroll who grew up a few fields away from me (the border on the Cork side to the east of Rathmore) and is now living in Sweden has a message posted already. Hi Pat. I am in Brooklyn, New York and consider myself a Corkman like Pat even though we both had to go to school in Kerry. Was at the 73 All-Ireland, but will have to miss this one, but will see it somewhere in Sunnyside. I guess one way or the other there will be plenty to celebrate on the border on Sunday night. Jerome O'Connor.
Wishing best of luck to Padraig Reidy and the Kerry team from
Margaret and Garda Niall Flood, Scartaglin, working out in Cyprus as part of the UN.
Good luck to Kerry - but they will do it with skill and determination. The pride of the Kingdom players is a genetic inheritance. I am from Cahirciveen , Co Kerry and will view the game at The Galway Arms in Toronto, Ontario. Green and Gold forever. Mary Dowling, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Enda Griffin, Ardfert, is currently in South Koera. This picture, he was standing outside World Cup Stadium, Seoul on 9 September. He will be watching the final in the pub very early morning. Brian Griffin.
We are in Oregon and can't figure out how to see the match and I am gutted being from Kerry and husband from Cork. Good luck to both teams. Hope it is a great match and on this occasion may the best team win. Enjoy being part of this very unique occasion. Kathy McNeely.
I would like to wish Kerry the best of luck for the SFC. I am currently in Baghdad and won't be able to watch the game. I may be able to listen though. I will try. I'm currently in the US Army, and Football is one of the most missed pieces of Ireland to me. The ability to know what's going on in the world of GAA is a great comfort. Give 'em 'ell boys. Cpl Chase Brennan, 82nd Airborne Division, Baghdad, Iraq.
This year is magical for me (Mercy Fleming from Tralee) as for the past six years I've been working in an orphanage in Moldova over the summer and never hear matches. Have internet at last and GAA on Sundays, my day off, makes my week. My flag is up and with SARAH, NORMA AND SHARON from KILLARNEY, you will hear us in THE KINGDOM. Good luck to the team and thanks to RTÉ for a super service.
Will be drinking coffee in a Toronto pub early Sunday morning, cheering for Cork. Come on, you can do it! Pat & Gayle Murphy. Ps, Pat's father came from Liscarroll in north Cork.
Good Luck to the boys from Cork on Sunday from PORT HARCOURT NIGERIA. I was in Croker in '73, went to Cork that Monday evening on the train for the celebrations. Won't be able to do it this time but will be listening in on the web. Davy Batt O'Sullivan (CASTLETOWN BEREHAVEN).
We attach today's latest Gomaith - Mac n' Ollie comicstrip as added support of the Kingdom! S.C. Durkin & Brian Fitzmaurice.
I want to wish the Kerry team the best of luck in the final. I hope we win. From a Kerry woman living in Cork. Maura O'Brien, Glanmire, Co Cork.
Best of luck to Billy and the lads. Croker is going to be red hot by throw-in on Sunday!!!! Hope we crush the Kingdom and bring Sam to where Liam has so often been; by the banks of the Lee!!! Ronan Batt O'Sullivan, a Corkman living and working in the GAA wilderness that is County Kildare!
Here's hoping lads from Leeside find the courage and determination this year and de-throne the Kingdom once and for all. Unfortunately we (Mayo) couldn't do it two years running. I'm originally from Mayo, spent the last six months living in Cork and now eagerly await the game this Sunday from Boston, my new home for the next two years. Best of Luck Cork, Joe Ruddy, Boston.
Wishing you the Very Best of Luck CORCAIGH. There will be hundreds of us cheering ye on in Rosie O'Grady's, Perth on Sunday night. I'm sure ye are hungry enough to bring Sam back, and especially to beat our favourite neighbours!! Up the Rebels, Michelle Walsh & Regina Kelleher (Nadd & Donoughmore, County Cork).
The year is 1957 in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo and the hunt is on
for two All-Ireland Football final tickets. A friend of hers living in Sligo told her that there may be a chance of getting the tickets. So she went to Tubbercurry looking for Joe Masterson, and he gave her the tickets. That year, Louth played Cork and won. Since that both my parents have not missed an All-Ireland Football final. They are both lucky and thank God for their health each year. Now they have their ten year tickets for the Cusack Stand, where they attend with their daughter Margaret. The following year was a big year. On 16 September 1958, Tommie and Annie were married but still made the All-Ireland final. I think Kerry played in that final. For all those years they had to go onto the Hill even when Down played in 1960! When the crowd pushed you had no choice but to go with it. The memories they have will stay with them forever. Hopefully they can both enjoy the next few All-Irelands together. Tommy Killoran Jnr.
Best of luck to the Kerry team on Sunday. I'll be cheering you from La Paz, Bolivia. Would give anything to be at home in Croker but the Irish owned hostel Loki will be the closest I get. I know you'll do us proud and bring Sam home. Laura Daly, La Paz, Bolivia.
Hello to you at RTÉ. Thank you very much for this opportunity. Originally from Ballymacoda, Co Cork. Living and working the summertime in Alaska and the rest of the year in Tucson, Arizona. This picture is from close to the Davidson Glacier in Southeast Alaska. Looking forward to a great game of football and hoping at the final whistle Cork will have edged it out. Again, thank you very much. Slán. James Coleman.
Wishing Cork every success from Bahrain in the Middle East. It's been too long since Sam resided on Leeside so let's put the record straight and atone for that narrow Munster final defeat by beating the Kingdom this Sunday. To the Cork players, I say, trust your own abilities and believe in yourselves and play with a sense of pride and passion that the beautiful red jersey deserves. Remember, Cork were the last team to win the football two-in-a-row – don’t let that record be taken off the Rebel County this Sunday. Will be watching the game live in Bahrain with the other members of the Bahrain Irish Society. Best of luck and best wishes, Peter Finnegan, Bahrain, Middle East.
Cork are not to be taken lightly - they appear to be growing from strength to strength. Since Mike Frank Russell seems to play extra
inspired against his neighbours, I'd expect him to be in action - the thought of him coming in as sub should weigh on Corkmen. Oh, those awesome Kerry subs! Minor & Junior teams need to rise to greatness - keeping that wonderful tradition alive. Other distractions should be taken less seriously. Work at what you are good at. Leave great Hurling to Cork. If 6' 7" Cussens is having a day maybe Kieran Donaghy is the neutralising agent. Kingdom Abu! Donnaca O'Raigne.
HI BILLY, DO IT FOR CHRIOST RI FROM CARRIGALINE MAN ALAN JAMES. COMBO NOW SEVEN YEARS IN THAILAND. CO CARRIGALINE SAWADEE! SEAMUS O'HAILLIN.
All the best to the Rebels on Sunday. We are scrambling to find an internet cafe open on Monday morning at 2.30am to catch the game but so far the Kiwis just don't get it. It's on the radio though so we'll be shouting at that instead. C'mon the Rebels. Best of luck anyway, Norma (from Macroom) and Marcus (from Kildare) in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Good luck to Kerry on Sunday, hope to get a good ticket for the game. There will be lots of Kerry supporters here in Chicago watching on Sunday. Liam Howard, Chicago.
Best of luck to Kerry & Galway minors from the Naughton family in London, originally from Mount Bellew & Valentia Island. We'll be watching the game at Ruislip GAA Club!
Come on the Rebels, tear into Kerry at the weekend and let's keep the bragging rights for the next 100 years at least. Do it for every one of us who have had to listen to them, whether it be in work or college. Let's see Sam back where he came came from, where we sported and played. From Alan White, Bantry, currently living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
C’mon the Kingdom, let’s get the back-to-back this year! It will be the first time in years I won’t be in Croke Park on All-Ireland Sunday, but instead I’ll be listening in from sunny Cape Town. Ashlin Noonan (Listowel).
Good luck Cork, show the Kerry team and the rest of the country what the Rebel Army are made of and lift the cup. It’s been a long time, Sam is coming home. David Barry, originally from Cork, now living on the Cape Verde Islands, Africa.
Good Luck to Sean O’Sullivan and Donnchadh Walsh and all the Kerry Team! Bring Sam Home! From all the Cromane girls in London: Siobhain, Carlin, Breda Reilly & Ashley Casey! All welcome in O’Neill's Leicester Square for kick-off!!
Wishing Billy Morgan’s team the best of luck on Sunday. It will be nice to see the cup back in Cork. If Cork can keep the Kerry full-forward line from scoring, then the victory will be theirs. All the best. Cheering on the Cork team from Chocolatetown, USA – Hershey, Pennsylvania. Senan, Brendan and Aidan.
Bring Sam back to the People's Republic of Cork! Best wishes from Brian Dowling in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
On paper and judging by the current betting odds (Kerry 4/11 – Cork 9/4) it looks as though this final is a formality for the Kingdom. A note of caution must be added when one remembers Kerry’s finals against Armagh and Tyrone a few years ago. However, Kerry’s hoodoo with Northern teams was well and truly abolished with the facile defeat of Armagh last year. However, complacency cannot rule the roost. A two point victory over the finalists Cork in the Munster final, a one point victory over Monaghan and a two point victory over the Dubs! Perhaps Kerry were only in third gear in these matches and could they go into overdrive in the final? Maybe, once they don’t go off the road! Paul Daly.
Angela Keane from Cahersiveen, Co Kerry and Helen Rea, Ballinora, Cork will be glued to the internet next Sunday in Ayacucho in Peru. We're looking forward to a very tight game of great football in which d'Rebels will see the mighty Kingdom fall. (Guess who wrote this message!!) Yours in sport, Helen.
Best wishes to the Kerry team, I will be watching the game with my sister Aoife and making as much noise as possible in the very small Inismore Irish Bar in Angers, in the Loire Valley, France. I'm from Glenbeigh, Co Kerry and I want to wish an extra special bit of luck to Darren O'Sullivan, who will be playing for Kerry on Sunday. Make Glenbeigh proud!!! Allez Kerry!!! Sinead Riordan.
Very best wishes to Declan and the Kerry team from Richard and Mary O’Shaughnessy. Go on the Kingdom!!
Hope we have a great match on Sunday. Kerry v Cork is a great occasion at any time. But to meet in an All-Ireland final adds extra spice. Looking forward to watching the game live here in Thailand in the Elephant Bar in Pattaya, Thailand. COME ON THE KINGDOM. From Kevin O'Sullivan, 'Sam Maguire's Apart Hotel', Pattaya. (Originally from Killarney).
Up the Rebels. Good luck from Anchorage, Alaska. Dan Meyer.
Come on you boys in red!! We'll be shouting you on in Florida from The Lucky Leprauchaun Pub in Orlando. Play well lads and above all bring Sam back to Leeside!! Eamon O' Regan. Pensacola, Florida (From Cork originally).
Good luck lads in the final. Give us a great match and let the world
see what a great game the GAA has. We will be watching the game live in Japan and hopefully the neighbours will not mind the craic! The world's biggest GAA fans! James, Sonoko, Nanami and Aodhan Fukuoka, Japan.
Sincere Best Wishes to Kerry on the All-Ireland Final on September 16th. Hope it is a great match. We will be watching the game live here in Thailand. From Kevin O'Sullivan and all at "Sam Maguire's" in Thailand.
Pat Walsh - Nemo Rangers, John O'Donovan - Ballincollig, Tommy Ryan – Charleville and Eamonn Lyons - Bishopstown, fresh from the Shamrocks' hurling victory in Philadelphia, wish the Rebels the best of luck in the final. Remember tradition plays no part in this game. It's a first for both teams (playing each other in the final). It's time to make history boys. We'll be watching in The Blarney on South Street.
Nick Foley in front of an Apache attack helicopter at Camp Taji, Iraq. Taji is located about 12 miles north of Baghdad. I would like to give my support to the Kerry team ahead of the All-Ireland. We are all gunning for Kerry here in Taji!!!!!!! Regards, Nick Foley, Taji, Iraq.
Would be great to attend the clash between Cork and Kerry having grown up on the border on the Cork side to the east of Rathmore. Played GAA with Knocknagree in Cork and attended school in Rathmore in Kerry! Pity the game cannot be seen online anywhere! Can RTÉ alter this rule just for this match? Anyway best of luck to the Cork team on the big day! And greetings to Grandma Carroll in Nohoval. Pat Carroll, Lammhult, Sweden.
Come on you heroes in Gold & Green,
Such players the like Croker has rarely seen,
See them first to every breaking ball,
Before their might, those Rebels will fall.
Come on the Kingdom, bring back No 35. Sam's been crying out for 21 years that he never gets to stay in his home longer than a year at a time. It's a slight on all Kerry people that the last county to retain ya, is Cork! You can't lose to them in an All-Ireland final, we will never hear the end of it! Up the Kingdom, Ciarraí Abu, from Richard, a Stack Mt man, in economic exile in Dublin.
Just to wish the Kerry team the very best of luck on Sunday (week) from Enda Lynch in Port Au Prince in Haiti. Hopefully I'll make the connections and arrive in time for the match! Up the Kingdom. Enda Lynch.
C'mon da REBELS!!!! Cork will be crowned the new All-Ireland champions, they have a good team spirit and the desire needed to win Sam. Pat Spillane won't like me saying this but this Kerry team have a lot of miles on the clock. I think Cork can win but it will be score for score but Cork should pull away in the end. C'mon Cork!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve West.
Best of luck to Kerry, if they put in the effort they showed against Dublin, they will win. I'd like to thank Liam Hayes for writing the motivation speech for Kerry in the Sunday Tribune. Good on you Liam, on a disgraceful piece of writing! A Simon Cowell wannabe! Martin Sweeney, Cromane, Co Kerry.
Best wishes to the Kerry team from Dot O'Gorman from Ballybunion and Ciara Lovett from Lixnaw who are both watching the game in the Fiddlers Green Irish Bar in Surfers Paradise in Australia!
Good luck to both teams, let sport be the winner. Michael O'Dowdall, London, England.
Come on Cork, you can do it!!! For the sake of the game, it would be very good if someone other than Kerry can be champions, we do not want another KK double gain this year, now do we??? No disrespect to Kerry (it is a great place, did not I spend a week in Killarney in August, although it rained every day for a week) but they have enough silverware over the years. So come on Billy's boys, Let's bring home Sam to the banks. Good luck from a Welsh Cork fan. Lyndon Howells, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
Best wishes to the footballers of the Kingdom from James C and Natalia O'Shea, Lahard, Beaufort, Killarney, Co Kerry, currently living in Switzerland but hoping to be in Croke Park on the big day. Photographed Sunday 5 August on top of Mönch (4,107 metres, 13,475 feet) in the Swiss Alps.
Go the REBELS and bring Sam back Leeside!! From REBEL supporters from Perth AUSTRALIA working in Zambia and listening on RTE!!! Kevin Flynn (Sligo).
Best of luck to Cork on 16 September, hopefully not only will I be celebrating turning the quarter of a century that day but also a big Rebel victory in Croker over the biggest enemy of them all. Nothing compares to beating Kerry, in my opinion there should be a day in every week for beating them. Wish I could be in Croker but I'll be shouting at the TV here. Tony Kelly, San Francisco, USA.
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