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AI Football Final Shocks

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Whatever you think will happen Saturday - Dublin are favourites.

If Mayo win it will be a shock.... what..... in your opinion...... are the biggest shocks in AI Football Finals and where would a Mayo win rank in terms of biggest shocks?

Donegal beating Dublin in '92 after an absolutely awful SF against Mayo comes to mind as the last time we had a bigger shock in a final.

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 17/12/2020 15:06:06    2323183

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Replying To Cbar:  "Whatever you think will happen Saturday - Dublin are favourites.

If Mayo win it will be a shock.... what..... in your opinion...... are the biggest shocks in AI Football Finals and where would a Mayo win rank in terms of biggest shocks?

Donegal beating Dublin in '92 after an absolutely awful SF against Mayo comes to mind as the last time we had a bigger shock in a final."
I don't think 92 was a shock at all. Donegal were mixing up a long & short game, got it right in the final. Dubs hadn't been in a final since 85 & were rebuilding.

In terms of all Ireland football final shocks, this is the top 3 I can think of: in my lifetime:

1982 Offaly 1-15 Kerry 0-17 - monumental
1991 Down 1-16 Meath 1-14 (Meath had been in the finals of 87, 88, 90, Down just steamrollered them)
2001 Galway 0-17 Meath 0-8 (Kerry champions in 2000, Meath destroyed them in 01 semi, Galway overcame Meath)

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 17/12/2020 15:19:10    2323188

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Replying To slayer:  "I don't think 92 was a shock at all. Donegal were mixing up a long & short game, got it right in the final. Dubs hadn't been in a final since 85 & were rebuilding.

In terms of all Ireland football final shocks, this is the top 3 I can think of: in my lifetime:

1982 Offaly 1-15 Kerry 0-17 - monumental
1991 Down 1-16 Meath 1-14 (Meath had been in the finals of 87, 88, 90, Down just steamrollered them)
2001 Galway 0-17 Meath 0-8 (Kerry champions in 2000, Meath destroyed them in 01 semi, Galway overcame Meath)"
I remember the '91 final well, and believe it or not I found myself shouting for Meath. If there had of been the same amount of injury time they allow today I think Meath could have nicked it.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8596 - 17/12/2020 19:33:38    2323260

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Replying To Cbar:  "Whatever you think will happen Saturday - Dublin are favourites.

If Mayo win it will be a shock.... what..... in your opinion...... are the biggest shocks in AI Football Finals and where would a Mayo win rank in terms of biggest shocks?

Donegal beating Dublin in '92 after an absolutely awful SF against Mayo comes to mind as the last time we had a bigger shock in a final."
The Offaly win in 82 will always be the stand out one. I think it was Pat Spillane that said it was like they just froze when the winning post was in site and the pressure just got to them.

They were raging hot favourites and the 5 in a row T-shirts were ready an all.

I think the 2002 Armagh win would probably be considered a shock. Armagh trailed for most of that game and Joes half time talk was the inspiration to go on and reel Kerry in.

Mayo have come within a whisker on a couple of occasions so I don't think it would be a massive shock actually.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 17/12/2020 20:36:44    2323275

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Replying To catch22:  "The Offaly win in 82 will always be the stand out one. I think it was Pat Spillane that said it was like they just froze when the winning post was in site and the pressure just got to them.

They were raging hot favourites and the 5 in a row T-shirts were ready an all.

I think the 2002 Armagh win would probably be considered a shock. Armagh trailed for most of that game and Joes half time talk was the inspiration to go on and reel Kerry in.

Mayo have come within a whisker on a couple of occasions so I don't think it would be a massive shock actually."
Although Mayo have got close i still think it would be a massive shock. The bookies price tells us the same. Yes 82 Offaly v Kerry a massive shock too especially for us Kerry folk and yes 02 v Armagh to a lesser extent. Both teams came from 4 down. Howeverif you watch the games Kerry were prob unlucky v Offaly altho deserved to lose v Armagh. On Offaly their win v Galway in 81 hurling big shock too and 92cDonegal v Dublin. That's about it in my memory.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 17/12/2020 21:21:04    2323283

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Although Mayo have got close i still think it would be a massive shock. The bookies price tells us the same. Yes 82 Offaly v Kerry a massive shock too especially for us Kerry folk and yes 02 v Armagh to a lesser extent. Both teams came from 4 down. Howeverif you watch the games Kerry were prob unlucky v Offaly altho deserved to lose v Armagh. On Offaly their win v Galway in 81 hurling big shock too and 92cDonegal v Dublin. That's about it in my memory."
Ah, I wouldn't be inclined to say unlucky Mick. Kerry couldn't shake Offaly and they were hanging on and hanging on all the time. Martin Furlong saving the Mikey Sheehy penalty when Kerry could have got well on top in the second half and the rest is history.
I don't think any team though has been as close on so many occasions as Mayo so that's why I wouldn't see it as a total shock if they pulled it off. That, and the whole different set up this year, sure anything is liable to happen.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 17/12/2020 22:01:56    2323301

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Replying To catch22:  "Ah, I wouldn't be inclined to say unlucky Mick. Kerry couldn't shake Offaly and they were hanging on and hanging on all the time. Martin Furlong saving the Mikey Sheehy penalty when Kerry could have got well on top in the second half and the rest is history.
I don't think any team though has been as close on so many occasions as Mayo so that's why I wouldn't see it as a total shock if they pulled it off. That, and the whole different set up this year, sure anything is liable to happen."
Well of course I'm biased but if you watch the last 2 frees Offaly got v Kerry you ll know what I mean. Even Sean Lowry of Offaly said Ón many occasions the ref gave them the two handiest frees cos he thought Kerry had game won. Anyway that's history and I don't begrudge Offaly at all. A great team with one of my all time favourite footballers Matt Connor. Mayo have been brill v Dubs in their meetings in finals but at the end of the day they did nt win and the last time they net in championship Dubs won by 10 points. Not many are giving Mayo a prayer and not one pundit picking them. Normally Mayo men are confident but even McStay John Maughan all say dubs. So if Mayo happen to win it will be a big shock. 4 to 1 and 7 to 2 odds in a two horse race mean the odds against Mayo big time. The only ones giving Mayo a chance are Dublin folk. And we are accused of Yerra yerra.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 17/12/2020 22:53:25    2323308

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1957 All Ireland final: Louth 1-09 Cork 1-07. The first ever Championship meeting between the biggest county in Ireland and the smallest county in Ireland. Cork were hot favourites. They were beaten by Galway in the previous years final. Louth won their first All Ireland in 45 years.

Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 786 - 17/12/2020 22:58:59    2323311

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Well of course I'm biased but if you watch the last 2 frees Offaly got v Kerry you ll know what I mean. Even Sean Lowry of Offaly said Ón many occasions the ref gave them the two handiest frees cos he thought Kerry had game won. Anyway that's history and I don't begrudge Offaly at all. A great team with one of my all time favourite footballers Matt Connor. Mayo have been brill v Dubs in their meetings in finals but at the end of the day they did nt win and the last time they net in championship Dubs won by 10 points. Not many are giving Mayo a prayer and not one pundit picking them. Normally Mayo men are confident but even McStay John Maughan all say dubs. So if Mayo happen to win it will be a big shock. 4 to 1 and 7 to 2 odds in a two horse race mean the odds against Mayo big time. The only ones giving Mayo a chance are Dublin folk. And we are accused of Yerra yerra."
Ya, them all handy frees are a balls of a job alright and can be dangerous to a team in the lead getting caught.
A bit of momentum to a team can be huge and once the goal went in I think the Kerry lads got an awful shock and were done for.
I'll have a small few bob on Mayo for the crack anyway.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 18/12/2020 10:13:44    2323348

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Replying To catch22:  "Ya, them all handy frees are a balls of a job alright and can be dangerous to a team in the lead getting caught.
A bit of momentum to a team can be huge and once the goal went in I think the Kerry lads got an awful shock and were done for.
I'll have a small few bob on Mayo for the crack anyway."
True Catch. I never back against my own in a clash so why don't you back the handicap instead. I actually backed Cork for munster this year as I kinda fancied them to beat Kerry in pairc Uí Caoimh (athough did nt see Tipp coming) but I would nt back against Kerry in a straight natch so just an idea for you to do handicap. It takes the guilt out of it.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 18/12/2020 11:33:18    2323381

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Offaly stands out in 82, I think Galway in 98 was a shock as Kildare had beaten the last 3 champions already,it almost seemed inevitable that Kildare would do it. Dublin in 11 was a bit of a shock too they hadn't beaten Kerry since 77 in the championship it appeared they just couldn't do it but they did in an extraordinary finish. A mayo win tomorrow would be a huge shock, everything points to a Dublin win and many things point to a drubbing, but you never know Dublin will be beaten at some point.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1596 - 18/12/2020 12:25:33    2323403

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Replying To Barrowsider:  "Offaly stands out in 82, I think Galway in 98 was a shock as Kildare had beaten the last 3 champions already,it almost seemed inevitable that Kildare would do it. Dublin in 11 was a bit of a shock too they hadn't beaten Kerry since 77 in the championship it appeared they just couldn't do it but they did in an extraordinary finish. A mayo win tomorrow would be a huge shock, everything points to a Dublin win and many things point to a drubbing, but you never know Dublin will be beaten at some point."
You are right but I guess a shock to one is nt to another. I would nt have seen Dublin 11 as a shock or Galway 98 either but we all differ.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 18/12/2020 13:15:14    2323413

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I honestly can't see how a lot of people think a Mayo win tomorrow would be a huge shock????

They are up against a Dublin side in their first year of a new manager and haven't had a tough game yet. All-Ireland final day is the wrong day to realise you need to find a few extra gears...

Mayo have Horan in his second year of his second stint and they have injected pace throughout the team this year, plus Cillian O'Connor is playing his best football in a long time.

Mayo should be very confident of a win tomorrow.

dubdec99 (Dublin) - Posts: 180 - 18/12/2020 14:15:46    2323433

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Replying To catch22:  "The Offaly win in 82 will always be the stand out one. I think it was Pat Spillane that said it was like they just froze when the winning post was in site and the pressure just got to them.

They were raging hot favourites and the 5 in a row T-shirts were ready an all.

I think the 2002 Armagh win would probably be considered a shock. Armagh trailed for most of that game and Joes half time talk was the inspiration to go on and reel Kerry in.

Mayo have come within a whisker on a couple of occasions so I don't think it would be a massive shock actually."
Yeah Offaly is still the biggest shock in an All Ireland final. Down winning in 91 was a surprise, as was Donegal in 92, Dublin in 1995, Kerry in 2009 and 2014. I'd also put Armagh down as a surrise to many but not a shock; those two teams drew twice in an All Ireland semi final just two years previous to that final (2000) so there wasn't a lot between those two in that era. I'd say all those wins whilst surprises weren't shocks; I think Offaly is the only real shock. If Mayo win on Saturday I'm not sure it would be a shock when you look at the record of Mayo/Dublin finals since 2015; yes it would surprise some but it wouldn't be a big shock to me.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 18/12/2020 15:07:51    2323455

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Replying To Ollie2:  "1957 All Ireland final: Louth 1-09 Cork 1-07. The first ever Championship meeting between the biggest county in Ireland and the smallest county in Ireland. Cork were hot favourites. They were beaten by Galway in the previous years final. Louth won their first All Ireland in 45 years."
Was there a Mayo man on that Louth team?

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 18/12/2020 15:09:21    2323457

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Tyrone beating Kerry in 08.

They only really sprung to life in the quarter finals that year and before the final there were very few pundits picking them.

lambofgod (Mayo) - Posts: 116 - 18/12/2020 15:16:41    2323459

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Replying To Ollie2:  "1957 All Ireland final: Louth 1-09 Cork 1-07. The first ever Championship meeting between the biggest county in Ireland and the smallest county in Ireland. Cork were hot favourites. They were beaten by Galway in the previous years final. Louth won their first All Ireland in 45 years."
Well I was nt around then Ollie but often heard people on about it and the musician Dermot Ó Brien. I never thought of it like that. The biggest county in Ireland v The smallest county. I'm sure at the time was a big shock alright.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 18/12/2020 16:22:36    2323468

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Replying To dubdec99:  "I honestly can't see how a lot of people think a Mayo win tomorrow would be a huge shock????

They are up against a Dublin side in their first year of a new manager and haven't had a tough game yet. All-Ireland final day is the wrong day to realise you need to find a few extra gears...

Mayo have Horan in his second year of his second stint and they have injected pace throughout the team this year, plus Cillian O'Connor is playing his best football in a long time.

Mayo should be very confident of a win tomorrow."
As far as I can see the only people that think it won't be a shock if Mayo win are Dubliners. Even most Mayo people fancy dubs and they normally confident. The last time Dublin had a new manager they beat Mayo also against James Horan who was in his 2nd year. I think the Dubs are the new yerra yerra. Are you copying us. You mention Mayo s new injection of pace but you fail to mention that Mayo were built on a strong midfield and a rock solid defense. Now their midfield is nt as strong and their defense is very pourus. Tipp had 10 goal chances in semi final against them. I don't get it dubdec. The lack of a crowd is to Mayo s advantage but other than that Dubs hold most of the aces. I just hope it's a good game.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 18/12/2020 16:32:54    2323471

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Donegal v Dublin '92 was the biggest final shock I can rem, though I rem at the time being full of hope on the day but we were a bit shocked at the final whistle, took a few mins to sink in that we'd actually won it,
the semi final win over Dublin in 2014 was probably a bigger shock to me anyway, after 25 mins or so in that game I thought the Dubs were going to hammer us, then the great Christy Toye steps in and the whole thing changes. The Dubs would likely be going for 8 in a row tomorrow only for that defeat.
I think if Mayo win tomorrow evening it won't be that big of a shock, Dublin have some key men retired and a new manager and how much real hunger is there after winning 5 in a row?
The famine in Mayo since 1951 is a big factor, and they have a great blend of youth and experience and that ravenous hunger.
in this freak of a year I think Sam will be staying in Dublin but Mayo will be All Ireland champs at last!!

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2757 - 18/12/2020 17:33:00    2323481

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Donegal v Dublin '92 was the biggest final shock I can rem, though I rem at the time being full of hope on the day but we were a bit shocked at the final whistle, took a few mins to sink in that we'd actually won it,
the semi final win over Dublin in 2014 was probably a bigger shock to me anyway, after 25 mins or so in that game I thought the Dubs were going to hammer us, then the great Christy Toye steps in and the whole thing changes. The Dubs would likely be going for 8 in a row tomorrow only for that defeat.
I think if Mayo win tomorrow evening it won't be that big of a shock, Dublin have some key men retired and a new manager and how much real hunger is there after winning 5 in a row?
The famine in Mayo since 1951 is a big factor, and they have a great blend of youth and experience and that ravenous hunger.
in this freak of a year I think Sam will be staying in Dublin but Mayo will be All Ireland champs at last!!"
Do you remember the SF against Mayo? I didn't give you a prayer

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 18/12/2020 18:27:32    2323491

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