Top 20 GAA Moments

Top 20 GAA Moments was a poll of the best moments of Gaelic football and hurling in the television era. In early 2005, the Irish public chose its favourite from 20 memorable moments from the last 40 years, as selected by ten RTÉ sports personalities and featured on the "Sunday Sport" programme. The number one moment was revealed in a special broadcast on Saturday, May 7, 2005, the eve of the beginning of the All-Ireland hurling and football championships.

The special programme included the views of the ten judges, Des Cahill, Jim Carney, Ger Canning, Brian Carthy, Michael Lyster, Jimmy Magee, Marty Morrissey, Tony O'Donoghue, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Darragh Maloney. There were also discussions with former players as to their views regarding the best moments.

The Top 20

1 Michael Donnellan's solo run, versus Kildare, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, 1998

"Michael Donnellan, inspirational for the Galway team during the game, had picked the ball up in the heart of his own defence and soloed the length of Croke Park before Seán Óg de Paor eventually finished the move off with a coolly taken point. Donnellan's overall performance inspired Galway to their first football title in 32 years and completed a unique hat-trick of senior All-Ireland medals for his family, as he followed in the footsteps of his father John (1966) and his grandfather Mick (1925)."

2 Maurice FitzGerald's sideline point, versus Dublin, All-Ireland Football Quarter-Final, Semple Stadium, 2001

"In the dying seconds of the game, Maurice Fitzgerald's gravity-defying sideline kick somehow soared over the bar and forced a replay with Dublin in the 2001 All-Ireland Football quarter-final."

3 Séamus Darby's last minute goal, versus Kerry, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, 1982

"Séamus Darby's goal for Offaly in the dying minutes of the 1982 All-Ireland final denied the Kingdom's football team the coveted five-in-a-row. In Gaelic football terms it is considered the most famous goal of all time."

4 John Fenton's goal, versus Limerick, Munster Hurling Semi-Final Replay, Semple Stadium, 1987

"John Fenton of Cork scored one of the greatest hurling goals of all time. Fenton scores from far out the field by striking the sliothar on the ground."

5 Davy FitzGerald's penalty, versus Limerick, All-Ireland Munster Final, Semple Stadium, 1995

"Goalkeeper Davy FitzGerald runs the length of the pitch to take a penalty for a resurgent Clare. Following his convetion of the penalty FitzGerald runs back the length of the pitch again to defend his goalline."

6 Kevin Foley's goal, versus Dublin, in the third replay of Leinster Football Championship First round match, Croke Park, 1991

"In the third replay that Meath and Dublin played during the 1991 Championship, Kevin Foley scores a goal two minutes from the final whistle to level the game. Meath then won the resulting kickout and scored a point to win the famous saga.

7 D.J. Carey's point, versus Clare, All-Ireland Hurling Final, Croke Park, 2002

"Here D.J. Carey lifts the sliothar on to his hurley, balances it, flicks it up and scores a point with ease. The point contributes to Kilkenny's second All-Ireland in three years."

8 Joe Connolly's Speech following Galway's win, versus Limerick, All-Ireland Hurling Final, Croke Park, 1980

"Joe Connolly's rousing victory speech following the Galway hurlers' historic 1980 Liam McCarthy Cup success. It was the county's first success in 57 years."

9 Jack O'Shea's goal, versus Offaly, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, 1981

"Jacko scored a spectacular goal three minutes from the end of the game to ensure Kerry's fourth All Ireland final victory in a row. The success allowed the Kingdom to launch the platform on which they would attempt to win an unprecedented fifth All-Ireland in a row."

10 The Offaly comeback, versus Limerick, All-Ireland Hurling Final, Croke Park, 1994

"Often described as the "five-minute final", Offaly scored two goals and five points in the last five minutes to snatch victory from Limerick."

11 Rock Solid Defence, versus Kilkenny, All Ireland Hurling Final,
Croke Park, 2003"

"Cork's Full-Back Diarmuid O'Sullivan charges into the Kilkenny forwards with only the sliothar in his hand after losing his hurley in a tackle. This inspired a late Cork comeback which proved to be in vain as Cork eventually lost out on the Championship by a late Kilkenny goal."

12 Mikey Sheehy's lobbed goal, versus Dublin, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, 1978.

"In what was described by Michael O'Hehir as "the greatest freak of all time", Sheehy scores a goal for Kerry while the Dublin goalkeeper, Paddy Cullen is arguing with the referee."

13 Babs Keating playing in his bare feet, versus Kilkenny, All-Ireland Hurling Final, Croke Park, 1971

"In the final stages of the game, Babs Keating, in his bare feet, passes the sliothar to his team mate who scores to clinch victory for Tipperary."

14 Peter Canavan's return, versus Armagh, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, 2003

"An injured Peter Canavan returns for the last ten minutes of the All-Ireland final to lead Tyrone to the county's first title."

15 Jimmy Barry-Murphy's goal, versus Galway, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, 1973

"Jimmy Barry-Murphy makes his presence known as a footballer when he scores a stunning goal which leads Cork to its first football title in 28 years."

16 Eddie Keher's goal, versus Cork, All-Ireland Hurling Final, Croke Park, 1972

"Eddie Keher scores a magnificent goal from the sideline to land another All-Ireland victory for Kilkenny. In all, Keher scored 2-9 on that day."

17 Paddy Cullen's penalty save, versus Galway, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, 1974

"Paddy Cullen makes a famous save to deny Galway a goal and the All-Ireland title."

18 Barney Rock's goal, versus Cork, National League Semi Final, Croke Park, 1987

"Barney Rock scores a bizarre goal without any opposing team. Cork refused to play extra time when the game was tied. The score remained and Dublin went through."

19 Frank McGuigan's points scoring, versus Armagh, Ulster Football Final, 1984

"Frank McGuigan of Tyrone scored an amazing 11 points with his fist and both feet in the Ulster Final."

20 Offaly fans sit-down protest, Clare versus Offaly, All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final Replay, Croke Park, 1998

"Following the ending of the game two minutes early the Offaly players and supporters sit down on the pitch in protest. The action forced the Gaelic Athletic Association to stage a replay that Offaly went on to win."

External links

* [http://www.rte.ie/tv/gaamoments/index.html Top 20 GAA Moments]
* [http://www.rte.ie/tv/gaamoments/20moments.html Watch all 20 moments online]
* [http://www.anfearrua.com/story.asp?id=1686]
* [http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=54854]
* [http://clarechampion.ie/clch/www/index.asp?magpage=1&issid=41&issdate=Friday%2C+29+April+2005&issarch=1&topcatid=100&catid=&id=5011]