Brend, the dubs return to the medicroty from where they came. The glorious tyrone were in a fair old state of mediocrity up until the noughties. Oh sorry silly me, football only started in the noughties. Yes a few decent appearences in 95 and 96 I know, but mediocre all the same. Oh sorry again I do realise ye were playing in the toughest province with the tougest football. However tough it was, meath werent long making boys out of ye in 96. Canavan didnt last too long and was it Mcbride too who also got his come uppance. If you want to talk about mediocrity Tyrone football for about 70 yrs defines the word. I am not taking away from the team that finally broke the hoodoo in the 00's they were exceptional, but just remember they didnt come along til the 00's.
It's not nice to see the debate divided between Kerry/Dublin in the 70's & 80's and then looking at the 90's with some people saying the Northern teams destroy the game.
When Armagh won the final in 2002, I found it a very emotional time. To see the pitch invasion after the game and the sheer outpouring of joy was difficult, yet brilliant to watch. Many people in border counties live & breathe the game so for those counties to win their first all-Ireland means the world to them. Kerry were leading the final 0-11 to 0-6 and missed a handy score, only for Armagh to get down the field for a point. HT 0-11 to 0-7. Little did we know that in the dressing room Joe Kernan was giving a speech that would define the all-Ireland champions. McConville's goal, the defending on show, everything about the day was special. And then came that pitch invasion and one hell of a day.
Tyrone winning in 2003 was a less enjoyable final as it was so tense but great to see new champions nonetheless. What I think made Tyrone a great side was how they took football onwards and made themselves evolve into a brilliant football team. The 2005 final is still the best final I've ever seen with 2008 not too far behind.
Both of these sides, just like Kerry & Dublin have done great things for the game. If Limerick won an All-Ireland playing in the style of any of these teams I'd be delighted.