The Hermit
To say Donegal were hopeless in that period is a bit harsh. We took Dublin to a replay in 2002 QF, Got to AI semi in 03, De-throned the All Ireland Champions in '04 and also getting the AI QF's in both '06 & '09. In fact you could say we underachieved in that period and in fact in the last 24 Ulster Finals going back to 1990 we have been involved in 12 of those finals. In a competitive province like Ulster I'd say we've been the most consistent team.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 05/06/2015 11:06:31    1732685

Jesus Christ is this thread still active...

Horsebox77 (Kerry) - Posts: 5491 - 05/06/2015 11:36:51    1732696

@the hermit

In the 1920s the Dubs did a three in a row so that's why I put them ahead of the Kingdom.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 05/06/2015 11:58:30    1732715

@Brend
it was very close between Meath and Down. What tipped it for me was that Down beat Meath in the final in 1991. Meath had some teams back then in the 90s.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 05/06/2015 12:02:21    1732717

90's is definitely meath. They were present throughout the entire decade and were involved in some of the most iconic games of that time.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 05/06/2015 12:10:33    1732728

Ollie was the 60s a close call for you between Galway and Down???? I can see why you made
the call three in a row was some achievement for Galway but Down's All Irelands were historic???

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1618 - 05/06/2015 12:35:00    1732751

Ollie
I'd put Donegal ahead of Kerry so far this decade. Dublin are rightly top with two All Irelands, Kerry and Donegal have one victory over each other in championship in that period but Donegal have managed to beat Dublin in the championship, Kerry haven't. Both also have three provincial titles in that period.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 05/06/2015 12:45:22    1732757

The number of All Irelands won by a county in the decade should be the deciding factor as the All Ireland
is the holy grail so for me if two teams have won the same amount of AIs then then are equal teams of the
decade and shouldnt really be split.The talk of soft Als is nonsense.A team can only beat who is put in front
of them and if there rivals arent good enough to make the latter stages then they must have been beaten by
a "soft" team.It doesnt say much for them does it???

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1618 - 05/06/2015 12:50:19    1732760

Down were the team of the 1960's for their different approach and historical breakthrough. Dublin to me were the team of the 1970's they set the standards that even Kerry had to follow and the 1977 match was the one that decided the head to head with Kerry. 1980's Kerry undoubtably. 1990's Down had to come out of a very competitive Ulster Championship that had quality teams such as Derry, Donegal and Tyrone. Forwards McCartan, Linden & Blaney were outstanding players. 2000's Tyrone's three titles in five years after winning nothing previously again was a game changer in that other counties followed their lead. 2010 on Dublin two titles and style of play see's them in the lead at the moment. Over this whole period Kerry is the one consistent factor and it is this that makes them a great football county. Great players and managers have reacted to various challanges and come back to win title after title.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 05/06/2015 13:09:57    1732772

@Tir Chonall

Kerry beat Donegal in the final so that's why I put them ahead.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 05/06/2015 13:15:04    1732775

05/06/2015 11:06:31
Tir Conaill Abu
County: Donegal
Posts: 1111

1732685 The Hermit
To say Donegal were hopeless in that period is a bit harsh. We took Dublin to a replay in 2002 QF, Got to AI semi in 03, De-throned the All Ireland Champions in '04 and also getting the AI QF's in both '06 & '09. In fact you could say we underachieved in that period and in fact in the last 24 Ulster Finals going back to 1990 we have been involved in 12 of those finals. In a competitive province like Ulster I'd say we've been the most consistent team.

Donegal had good team. Their downfall was too many lads were fond of the high stool.

HughHunt24 (Cork) - Posts: 841 - 05/06/2015 13:24:26    1732786

Red n Black there is no doubting that Downs All Irelands were historic but to win three All Irelands in a row is some feat. When Galway did it in 1966, it was the first time a three in a row was won by the same county in 25 years. They beat Kerry in 1964 and 1965 and Meath in 1966. 1964 and 1965 were the last time Kerry lost back to back All Ireland titles.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 05/06/2015 13:29:22    1732790

I think its a shame that Meath have fallen on hard times.They were such a top team for around
about a fifteen year period between 1987-2002???They had great consistency and tremendous
players.With their decline,Dublin have taken a stranglehold on Leinster.Truly a sleeping giant.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1618 - 05/06/2015 13:34:54    1732795

Thats fair enough,some achievement by Galway alright.It is a close call.

Down and Cavan totally dominated the 60s in terms of Ulster football.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1618 - 05/06/2015 13:38:09    1732800

HughHunt24
You're not wrong there. The carry on after the AI QF drawn game against Dublin was unreal!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 05/06/2015 13:41:50    1732802

Are Meath really a giant though Red & Black or does it just seem that way to those of us who grew up in that 15 year period that you talk about. Before that they seem to have had two periods of eating at the top table - late 40's early 50's and again late 60's when they disappeared off the scene again until the great team of the 80's. Even Leinster titles are in short supply outside of these periods, only 1 until 1939. Not trying to start a row with Meath posters and yes I know its two more periods of been a top top team than my own county, but Meath like a lot of counties come in cycles, as history shows they will no doubt come good again, but at the moment there isn't much sign of it happening anytime soon.

benched (Tyrone) - Posts: 534 - 05/06/2015 13:56:28    1732813

There is no award given for being the team of the decade. I think that Kerry and Tyrone were well ahead of the field in the 00s. Armagh were a mighty side too. Mayo and Cork just couldnt get it together on the last day when it counted. Likewise the Dubs. How things change.

The hardest all irelands won were by Tyrone. The best team performance on a given day, most consistently, would have to go to kerry.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 05/06/2015 14:07:59    1732823

I take your point Benched football is cyclical,only Kerry and Dublin have reached double figures
in terms of football AIs???But that Meath team were one of the top 5/6 teams in Ireland over
that period.I think I always thought of them as a giant after the four game saga against Dublin
in 1991.Their players oozed class.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1618 - 05/06/2015 14:10:28    1732825

Will be great to see Tyrone and Kerry renew rivalries Sunday wk.exoect fireworks

HughHunt24 (Cork) - Posts: 841 - 13/08/2015 20:54:34    1769744