Fifty years ago Louth were crowned All-Ireland champions after beating Cork in the national decider. Peter Brannigan was at the final and delves into his memory to recall that fateful day and the celebrations that followed. Sunday 22nd September 1957, one of the greatest days in your county's entire history. What do you remember of this glorious day when Louth became All Ireland Senior football champions at the expense of Cork by a two point margin; 1-9 to 1-7 - the fateful scoreline. First thoughts, you are lucky enough to be among the 72,000 plus crowd to witness such an outstanding achievement, happier still that you managed a decent view of the game from your spot just along side the dressing rooms tunnel at the Canal End. This particular spot rewarded you with a tremendous view of the most telling incident of the match. You had a wonderful sight of Kevin Beahan's pin point sideline kick being touched to the net by Sean Cunningham's ability and agility to be in the right spot at just the right time. To any Louth supporter this was the day that was on the horizon since the county team captured a long awaited Leinster Senior crown in 1943, through those forties some of the greatest footballers to grace the playing fields in any part of Ireland were to be seen in the Wee County's red jersey. Close we came on occasions in the greatest era in the county's history, Leinster wins in 1943, 1948, 1950 and 1953 placed Louth on the big stage. All Ireland defeat to Mayo in 1950 was most disappointing as the side held a slender lead going to the closing stages, only to be denied by a late Mayo goal. Many of the county's greats got another shot in 1953 only to bow out to Kerry at the semi-final stage, so a regrouping took place in the following years. When 1957 arrived early signs did not look like producing the end result. I did not witness the early ties in Leinster as we overcame Carlow in the opening round, securing a place in the provincial semi-final by defeating Wexford and then taking the scalp of the reigning Leinster title holders, Kildare with a terrific display scoring 5-8 to the oppositions 1-9. My first visit to Croke Park this year was to the Leinster final. Louth underdogs against a fancied Dublin team, it was a miserable wet day as we stood underneath the Cusack Stand. A terrific match ensued despite the weather, Jimmy McDonnell scoring 2-2, with my abiding memory of this display being the speed at which Jimmy was in to fist the ball to net as the Dublin keeper parried a shot into the air. Full forward McDonnell was recalled to the county colours for the match against Kildare, along with stalwart full back Tom Conlon. The Darver man's contribution against the Lilywhites was 3-3 and the wisdom of his recall bore fruit to the tune of 5-5 over two games. I was thrilled to be back in Croke Park for the All Ireland semi-final clash against Tyrone. The Ulster champions were well fancied to go all the way, one forward in particular on that Tyrone team was the much admired Iggy Jones. Throughout the campaign Louth's Kevin Beahan was in sparkling form especially his accuracy from free kicks and his midfield partner Dan O'Neill making a huge contribution. The Ulster champions were overcome by 0-13 to 0-7. The county's performances improved with each game and although faced by a formidable Cork fifteen who had unsuccessfully contested the 1956 final where they lost to Galway, the Rebel County were nonetheless expected to take the title on this occasion. The lead up to the final was a time of great excitement throughout the county with every conceivable vantage point decorated with the Wee County's red and white which of course incidentally was also Cork colours. There was great pride in the displays in shop windows, here in Dundalk, premises from Bridge St, Church St, Clanbrassil St. Earl St, Park St and the side streets all carried flags, jerseys and other emblems as well as team and individual photos, medals from past exploits and any other memorabilia associated with the game in Louth. All towns and villages in the county were caught up in the euphoria of such a great occasion. When the big day arrived special trains and buses were readily available. Many cars made the journey also. My Dad and I made our way by train and as was the case before all ticket games became the norm, you took your place in the queue outside Croke Park. As I mentioned earlier we managed a spot at the Canal end where we had a decent view of at least one side of the pitch. We enjoyed the minor match which preceded the big game and also enjoyed the music provided by the Artane Boys Band. Home made sandwiches and a little fruit in the shape of apples helped to sustain the body. Not too many of us inside the ground were aware of the fact that our captain Dermot O'Brien almost did not make it due to treatment he was receiving to an injured shoulder. However make it he did and his contribution to the resultant victory was immense as was his display throughout the championship. With the parade and the playing and singing of our National Anthem complete, the match began. I cannot say I witnessed every bit of the match due to the fact that we were in an area of standing room, crowd movement meant that as the game flowed from one end to the other vision was limited. The vital thing from my recollection was that we were well placed to enjoy Louth's second half scores 1-4 in all, as they came from a half time deficit of 1-4 to 0-5, we had a clear view of Cork's goal, a high dropping ball into a crowded goal area found its way to the net. After half time we had to endure a period when Cork were in control, they went further ahead in those opening minutes, some of their scores I saw, others I could only glean from the roar of the crowd, but there was also oohs and aahs as the Corkmen were plagued with an old failing, one of missing too many chances. On this day Louth would come back in the closing quarter to punish them. The killer blow coming with just five minutes to go when that fateful sideline kick of Kevin Beahan's was finished to the net by Sean Cunningham. Louth supporters including yours truly were ecstatic, but the game was not won quite yet. Those final five minutes we hardly saw the ball at the Canal End as Corkmen piled on the pressure. It is part of the folklore of the heroics performed by the Louth defence in those closing minutes as they repelled every attack that rained on them. There is none more talked about incident than Jim Meehan's intervention to save a certain score. The final whistle sounded, the unbelievable had happened, Louth were All Ireland champions, the pitch of course was invaded as fans went to greet their heroes. Now fifty years on the sight of Stephen White being carried shoulder high after he gave a superb display is still a powerful reminde., For those of us who were at the match you could not visualise how wonderful an achievement this victory would be until it actually happened. To witness such an occasion is something very special. The sight of captain Dermot O'Brien receiving the Sam Maguire cup was tremendous. On the day that followed this historic victory supporters throughout the county were able to share in the celebrations of the homecoming, those who were able to get to the match and those unable to attend were out in their thousands to welcome home the victors. I, myself, was among the thousands who gathered in Dundalk as the team made their way from Drogheda to a late night greeting at the Courthouse where the cheering probably outdid the speeches with everyone waiting to shake the hand of the victors and touch the Sam Maguire cup. The Sam probably made its way into every house in the county during it's stay, it certainly did the rounds of the schools, the clubs and most likely a major number of pubs. Unfortunately we have not tasted the joy of a return to Croke Park for All Ireland day since, however it would be honest to say that at the outset of 1957 it did not look like a possibility either so hope springs eternal that a winning formula may come to pass. In the year closing the qualifiers brought us very close to beating the eventual All Ireland finalists Cork, neighbours Monaghan gave the eventual champions a fright and in Connaught, Sligo came through, so here's to 2008. I have been fortunate in more recent years to have had the pleasure to be in the company of almost all our All Ireland heroes, many of whom I regard as friends, the ones who have passed on to their rewards in heaven and thankfully the majority still hale and hearty. One of these occasions was the launch of Eunan Whyte's Heroes of 57, a terrific record of all the events of that wonderful year. If ever in danger of forgetting any of the key events of this Louth teams passage into history this record captures every players insight into what it felt to be part of the greatest year in the Wee County's history. The two functions in this the fiftieth anniversary, in the Fairways Hotel when the late great captain, Dermot O'Brien addressed his team and a huge gathering, and later in September at the Four Seasons Hotel in Carlingford when Kevin Beahan recounted the glories, a standing ovation was forthcoming on each occasion. Their deeds and the glory they achieved for the county will always be remembered and cherished, those of us fortunate to be present on that great day will cherish forever. I salute our Louth heroes 1957 Sean Og Flood; Olly Reilly; Tom Conlon {rip} Jim Meehan; Patsy Coleman; Peadar Smith; Stephen White; Dan O'Neill; Kevin Beahan; Seamus O'Donnell; Dermot O'Brien(capt){rip} Frank Lynch; Sean Cunningham{rip} Jimmy McDonnell; Jim Roe; Jim McArdle; Barney McCoy; Alf Monk; Jim Judge; Mickey Flood; Jackie Reynolds; Aiden McGuiness; Tom Carroll; Paddy Cheshire; Noel Loughran; Paddy Butterly; Bertie Dullaghan; Cormac Breslin. Tweet

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