Its often said that the Dublin Kerry rivalry of the 70's saved GAA in Ireland, especially the whole "Heffo's Army" thing

So, how true is that? Do the rest of us owe a debt of gratitude to probably the 2 greatest teams to ever play the game?

Mikeynora (Limerick) - Posts: 888 - 01/02/2011 09:35:14    857901

Thaaaaaaaaaaanks (slow hand clap)

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 01/02/2011 10:24:11    857931

I think Kerry and especially Dublin have continued that trend right into the modern era.

Dublin = GAA Cash cow

You're more than welcome.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 01/02/2011 10:42:55    857940

Really? They were good sides and Tom Humphries' book is enjoyable but surely this doesn't need to be rehashed again. If you watched the Late Late Show GAA 125-Year Special you wouldn''t even realise that other counties even had football teams. Football is as good now if not better than it ever was. As someone said here before, Nostalgia just ain't what it used to be.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 01/02/2011 10:54:27    857942

Yeah I think somebody should write a song about just how brilliant Dublin and Kerry are and it should be played before every GAA match across the country. Perhaps also RTE might set aside an angelus style minute of contemplation so we can all quietly reflect on everything Dublin and Kerry have done and continue to do for the rest of us. We're not worthy! We're not worthy!

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 01/02/2011 10:59:25    857945

Ah in all fairness I reckon (without any prior proof or research done) that the gaa payed other teams in leinster to take a dive against the dubs because they were rolling in it with all Dublin v Kerry games back then. I mean what other possible conclusion could one come to, with other top teams around back then like Meath and to a lesser extent Offaly, its highly improbable that the Dubs would have been so dominant unless something schneaky was goin on behind the scenes.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 01/02/2011 11:12:16    857950

Breffni39
County: Cavan
Posts: 4613

857945 Yeah I think somebody should write a song about just how brilliant Dublin and Kerry are and it should be played before every GAA match across the country. Perhaps also RTE might set aside an angelus style minute of contemplation so we can all quietly reflect on everything Dublin and Kerry have done and continue to do for the rest of us. We're not worthy! We're not worthy!
01/02/2011 11:12:16

Htaem
County: Meath
Posts: 2312

857950 Ah in all fairness I reckon (without any prior proof or research done) that the gaa payed other teams in leinster to take a dive against the dubs because they were rolling in it with all Dublin v Kerry games back then. I mean what other possible conclusion could one come to, with other top teams around back then like Meath and to a lesser extent Offaly, its highly improbable that the Dubs would have been so dominant unless something schneaky was goin on behind the scenes.

_________________

Class....

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 01/02/2011 11:21:33    857954

There is a bit of sentimentality involved but sure what harm. Htaem makes a good tongue in cheek point as well. I remember Leinster in those days and it was anything but a stroll in the park for Dublin. Meath were always a tough game and Dublin never beat them by much. Likewise with Offaly but we also had tough games against Laois, Wexford, Kildare, Louth and even Wicklow on one occassion later on.

Indeed Dubs of 70s never dominated Leinster in same way as Dubs of the noughties despite winning six as opposed to five in a row. They were actually just a better side and need to be!

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 01/02/2011 11:25:10    857956

What I said said something factual in my last post hurlingdub? Well there you have it, I'm such a bloody awesome poster that even when I'm talkin absolute smack I just invariably accidently make whoppingly valid points.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 01/02/2011 11:49:44    857975

No but Dublin v Meath 1991 did. Just after a world cup which had the country buzzing, cardiac services around the country were inundated with the thrilling excitement that these 2 gave us. Nothing before nor since has come close to that month.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 01/02/2011 11:51:34    857976

The Down and Galway 1960s teams were two of the best sides to ever play the game, it's not like the sixties were some dark era for the GAA that Dublin and Kerry triumphantly hauled us out of in the seventies...

Gabriel. (Down) - Posts: 412 - 01/02/2011 12:27:49    858007

No

Real Kerry Fan (None) - Posts: 2957 - 01/02/2011 12:44:50    858013

Numbers dont lie. That kerry team was the greatest team ever by a country mile and dublin were second. Players are fitter now but the skill levels of those teams were the best ever.

mikeoc (Kerry) - Posts: 567 - 01/02/2011 12:53:49    858018

No it was us Nordies and our Swiss Cow's that saved the GAA, Ulster teams , Down 91,94 ,Donegal 92,Derry 93, Tyrone 95,Armagh 02,03 and Tyrone03,05,08.

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 01/02/2011 13:03:21    858029

Very true. There would have been a motion to disband the Association at the 1979 congress if both these 2 teams hadn't come along, if a quorum could have been got together. Hurling had not yet been developed at that stage.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 01/02/2011 13:39:58    858050

Dhorse speaking some sense for a change...that's one for the books. Did Dublin and Kerry save the GAA, what a load of *****.

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 01/02/2011 14:32:09    858084

The great Micko said as much...

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 01/02/2011 15:48:54    858151

mikeoc
County: Kerry
Posts: 230

858018 Numbers dont lie. That kerry team was the greatest team ever by a country mile and dublin were second. Players are fitter now but the skill levels of those teams were the best ever.
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Mike, thats not actually answering the question. Anyway this seems to be theme more beloved of the Dubs than Kerry fans.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 01/02/2011 16:31:55    858187

Ah Lads,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 01/02/2011 16:38:04    858195

So, how true is that? Do the rest of us owe a debt of gratitude to probably the 2 greatest teams to ever play the game?

It's gaa as a whole your talking about right??? Well I fail to see what dublin and kerry teams of the 70's had to do with hurling and handball etc. also there were many great teams before them and their has been great teams after them too.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 01/02/2011 18:09:44    858277