Famous Five: Teams of their decade
08:59, 15 Sep 2009
Shane Stapleton
With Kerry in with a chance of completing a historic five-in-a-row this Sunday, they can copperfasten their place as the most successful football team of the noughties. Their four titles accrued from 2000-’07 already gives them an insurmountable lead over Tyrone – who were dismissed by finalists Cork at the semi-final stage – but Kerry will now want to emulate two previous generations from within their county with a fifth title of the decade on Sunday. However, time has already run out on them becoming the most successful side in a single decade, that honour stays with the capital county.
Wexford of the 1910s (1915-’16-’17-’18) & Kerry of the 1970s (1970-’75-’78-’79) Four All Ireland titles each
These are the only sides, not including the current Kerry crew, to have totaled four titles in a decade; this Wexford team of the 1910s and Micko’s side of the ’70s both competed in six All Ireland finals. After a couple of years knocking at the door, Seán O’Kennedy led the Model County to three of their four titles as they bridged a gap back to 1893 with what remains the golden era of Wexford football. They held the Leinster title for six years (1913-18) and contested the All Ireland final in each of those years. O’Kennedy is the only man to have lifted the Sam Maguire three times and while nine Wexford men figured in all four finals, so too did the same referee: Laois’ Pat Dunphy. Substitute Barney Roice is the only man to have won six Leinster and four All Ireland titles without (allegedly) having played a game. The Kerry team of the ’70s won an incredible five titles in seven years. Mick O’Dwyer’s exhaustive analysis of the Dublin team of 1974 paid dividends the following year as Kerry beat the All Ireland champions by seven points in the final. The sides played in four All Ireland finals during a decade of intense and exciting rivalry, with O’Dwyer coming out on top: three to one.
Dublin of the 1900s (1901-’02-’06-’07-’08) Five All Ireland titles
The Dublin side of the first decade in the new century continued where their countymen of the previous 10 years left off: by being the most dominant side in the country. The Dubs beat London in three of the finals and Cork in the other two. Some of their main stars were imports from other counties: Jack Dempsey (Wexford) who was captain in 1902 – when Wicklow club Bray Emmets represented the county; and brothers Pierce and Jack Grace (Kilkenny). Jim Brennan of the Keatings club played in four of the five victories. Dublin won the ’07 final despite the game being started late after their train down to Tipperary was delayed while the Dubs beat London the next year despite having a man sent off; the player was not named in match reports to save him embarrassment.
Kerry of the 1980s (1980-81-’84-’85-’86) Five All Ireland titles
Six finals in seven years through from 1980 onward (eight in nine if you trawl back to the late ’70s) preceded a lean spell of 11 years before the Kingdom made it back to September football. But boy did they gather up a large pile of nuts for the cold years ahead. They beat four different sides (Roscommon, Offaly, Dublin twice and Tyrone) as they collected five titles between 1980 and ’86.
Kerry of the 1930s (1930-’31-’32-’37-’39) Five All Ireland titles
The Kingdom beat Monaghan 3-11 to 0-02 in the 1930 final to retain their title without the Farney goalkeeper even touching the ball. After beating Kildare the following year, Kerry sealed a four-in-a-row with a three-point win over Mayo in 1932. Following four years without their hands gripped around Sam’s ears, the Kingdom regained the title in ’37 after a replay against Cavan; radio commentator Packie Boylan had initially announced the Breffni County as champions the first day after failing to see a Cavan point was disallowed for throwing the ball. Kerry’s final title of the decade came courtesy of two goals from newcomer Dan Spring, father of future Tanáiste Dick.
Dublin of the 1890s (1891-’92-’94-’97-’98-’99) Six All Ireland titles
This was back in the days when things were wilder: when games ended in squabbles, disarray and pouting lips. No, it’s not the noughties, it’s the ’90s of the 19th century. Way back when goals bettered any number of points. Young Irelands represented Dublin in the ’91 final and thought they had lost as Cork side Clondrohid celebrated a 2-09 to 2-01 scoreline. But three hours after the game, the referee said he had disallowed the second Cork goal after one of their players picked the ball off the ground. Ninety-four ended in drama too as the All Ireland replay with Cork was abandoned when Young Irelands walked off the pitch after alleging to have been assaulted by some encroaching Leesider fans. The Central Council ordered a further replay, of which Cork refused, and the Dubliners were awarded the title. The Rebels were back in 1897 with Dunmanway as their representatives but they didn’t find their way to Dublin until 2am the night before the match. No accommodation had been booked for them but they eventually found lodgings at 4am. The Kickhams – who were representing Dublin – won by 2-6 to 0-02 with William Guiry getting both goals.
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