Armagh and Galway contest the 2024 All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park.
By Cian Murphy
Galway’s complicated first crown
Galway’s first All-Ireland senior football title came at the expense of Mayo!
The year was 1925 in what was a chaotic campaign. It took 11 matches to decide the Connacht championship alone, with Roscommon and Sligo meeting six times in all in the first round. The first meeting finished 2-4 to 2-2 to the Rossies, but Sligo objected. Four replays finished level over July and August, and another fixed for Claremorris was never held. Eventually, in September, Sligo won 2-3 to 0-2 to secure a date with Mayo.
On the other side of the draw, Galway and Leitrim had drawn their semi-final twice. Leitrim refused to play extra-time in the second game and Galway won the second replay 1-4 to 0-5.
The complications were in no way confined to Connacht.
Kerry beat Cavan in a semi-final played in Tralee. Cavan objected, Kerry counter objected, and Central Council disqualified both counties.
With Connacht way behind, Mayo represented the province in the other All-Ireland semi-final and defeated Wexford. The result was contested by Wexford and the objection was voted on and failed by a solitary vote.
As the last team standing Mayo were laying claim to the title of All-Ireland champions but still had a Connacht semi-final and final to play.
They beat Sligo that October by 2-6 to 1-6 but then lost the Connacht final to Galway.
This put their claims to the All-Ireland in tatters with Galway being recognised as the 1925 champions. Mayo protested but Central Council invoked a 1920 rule that All-Ireland finals had to be played at Croke Park as a part of their justification. To clear up any concerns Central Council decided to restage the last four in a new competition. Kerry refused to field, and Galway defeated Cavan and Wexford to cement their claim to the All-Ireland title as the only unbeaten football team in 1925.
Famous referee
When Armagh played Kerry in the 1953 All-Ireland final, the game was refereed by Peter McDermott who was not only still an inter-county footballer, but captained Meath to the title the following summer in 1954.
They think it's all over
Galway won Sam Maguire in 1938, defeating Kerry in a replay that had a dramatic finish. Late in the game Galway held a 2-4 to 0-6 lead when the referee blew for a free. However, ecstatic Galway fans thought it was full time and began invading Croke Park. By the time the referee was able to restore order, many Kerry players had not only left the field, but some had already left the ground. Stewards cleared the pitch and a Kerry team with nine substitutes was present for the resumption and they managed to land a score but could not alter the result with Galway winning 2-4 to 0-7.
Armagh’s First for Ulster
Armagh have the distinction of landing Ulster’s first ever All-Ireland when on August 14, 1927 they defeated Dublin 4-11 to 0-4 to win the 1926 All-Ireland junior championship title.
Burn-ing ambition
An Armagh victory on Sunday would make for a unique occasion at the top steps of the Hogan Stand. Jarlath Burns, 41st President of the GAA, has his son Jarlath Óg on the Armagh squad. No GAA President has presented a Cup to his son’s winning team during their term. The closest was when the late, great Joe McDonagh had his son Eoin play on Galway minor and U21 hurling teams that were beaten in the finals in 1997 and 1999.
Colour code
The nuns of Omeath are credited with providing Armagh with a set of jerseys woven from orange wool for their first ever All-Ireland success in the 1926 JFC decider. Armagh have kept faith ever since.
Galway in their early years when not using the colours of the county champions wore variations of blue and gold and then later went with green and white. However, they wore the maroon and white of county champions and Sigerson Cup winners UCG for their successful 1934 campaign and have used them ever since.
Sharp shooter
Galway manager Padraic Joyce features prominently in the list of top marksmen on All-Ireland final day, having landed 0-10 in the 2001 final victory over Meath. The distinction of being top sharp shooter is shared by Dublin’s Jimmy Keaveney and Kerry’s Mikey Sheehy. Dublin hero Jimmy landed 2-6 in the 1977 victory over Armagh, a day when the Dubs bagged five goals. A year later, Kingdom legend Sheehy scored the same 2-6 total as Kerry routed the Dubs in the ‘78 final.
