2002 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
Encyclopedia
The 2002 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final was the 115th All-Ireland Final and showpiece game of the 2002 Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
which began on 5 May, 2002. It took place in Croke Park
on 22 September, 2002.
The final, which was a replay of the 1953 All-Ireland Senior Football Final involved the teams from Kerry
and Armagh
. Kerry were attempting to win their 33rd All-Ireland
whilst Armagh, competing in a final on only the third occasion were trying to capture the championship for the first time.
for the last number of years, had never gone the whole way to capturing the Sam Maguire Cup. The two counties last championship meeting was in the 2000 All-Ireland Semi-Final, the first game ending in a draw and the Kerry going on to win the replay and subsequently the Championship.
Armagh's campaign
started in St. Tiernach's Park
, Clones
where they drew Tyrone
1-12 each, Armagh won the replay a week later 2-13 to 0-16. In the Ulster Semi-final they over-ran Fermanagh
by double scores 0-16 to 1-05 and the Ulster Final saw them play Donegal
on 7 July, a match which they won 1-14 to 1-10.
Kerry's provincial campaign
was not as successful however, losing to Cork in the semi-final 0-15 to 1-09. As a result they entered Round 2 of the All-Ireland Qualifiers and subsequently dismissed Wicklow
5-15 to 0-07. The next round saw them face Fermanagh, who had already been defeated by Armagh. Fermanagh again proved impotent as Kerry steamrolled them 2-15 to 0-04. Kildare
, their opponents in the fourth and final Qualifier game were beaten double scores 2-10 to 1-05.
, the beaten Connacht
finalists, in the All-Ireland Quarter Final. The first game in Croke Park ended in a 2-09 to 0-15 draw leading many pundits, especially Pat Spillane
to believe that Armagh would continue to falter on the Croke Park stage. This was not helped by the fact that Armagh won the replay in Navan
.
Meeting Leinster Champions
Dublin
in the semi-final on 1 September would be Armagh's biggest test to date. With the game level 0-06 to 0-06 at the interval[] Armagh and Dublin traded scores throughout the second half with neither team having more than a two point lead at anytime, except the brief thirty or so seconds between Armagh's goal and Dublin's almost immediate response. With the game hanging in the balance Armagh's fragile lead was threatened by a free-kick, taken by Dublin star Ray Cosgrove, which ultimately hit the post sending Dublin crashing out and Armagh through to their first final since 1977 by a score of 1-14 to 1-13.
Kerry faced reigning All-Ireland and Connacht Champions Galway
in their quarter finals, dismissing the holders 2-17 to 1-12. In a replay of the Munster semi-final Kerry again faced Cork in the All-Ireland equivalent, this time beating the Lee-siders convincingly 3-19 to 2-07.
opened the scoring for Armagh in the second minute and Kerry forward Mike Frank Russell replied a minute later. McDonnell scored again for Armagh and Ronan Clarke added a third. With Kerry two points down scores from Colm Cooper
, Eoin Brosnan
and Russell gave Kerry a one point lead after 15 minutes. Ronan Clarke pulled the game level for Armagh before two points from Dara Ó Cinnéide
and a point apiece for Aidan Fitzmaurice and Liam Hassett
put some daylight between the teams. After trading scores for a while Armagh were five points down when Armagh forward Óisin McConville was pulled down by three Kerry defenders under the Canal End and given a penalty however Armagh hopes were dashed as a poor kick was saved by Kerry 'keeper Declan O'Keeffe. A point from Armagh man Diarmuid Marsden
gave the Orchard Boys a small glimmer of hope but they went in trailing at the break 0-11 to 0-07.
. Kernan showed the team the momento he had received as a player in the '77 final after Armagh were defeated by Dublin and warned the players that they would face a similar fate if they failed to turn the game around.
Marsden and Ó Cinnéide again traded points and a free kick from McConville reduced the deficit to three. Hassett and McConville scored and the Armaghman converted a 45-metre free, Kerry's last score of the day came as Ó Cinnéide pointed again on 54 minutes.
In the 55th minute McConville charged through the Kerry back-line, played a one-two with team-mate Paul McGrane and buried the ball past O'Keeffe in the Kerry net sending Hill 16
into uproar and reducing Kerry's lead to a solitary point. Scores from Ronan Clarke and Steven McDonnell, who had scored the first point of the day, were enough to give Armagh the lead for the first time since the opening stages of the game. Armagh held on for the last ten minutes and that was enough to give the Orchard County their first Championship.
the Liam McCarthy Cup
was awarded to Kilkenny
on a podium in the centre of the pitch whilst Cliff Richards
' Congratulations
was played over the public address system. On John Bannon's final whistle Armagh fans were determined that their first All-Ireland win would not be celebrated in the same way and thousands encroached onto the pitch, many climbing the fences from the Hill 16 end where McConville had scored his goal until stewards relented and opened the gates. Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney lifted the Sam Maguire from the Hogan Stand to a sea of orange and white and dedicated the win to the long-suffering Armagh fans whose hopes had been dashed on so many occasions over the years.
Two days later the new champions played a challenge game against neighbours Louth
in Crossmaglen.
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2002
-Munster Senior Football Championship:-----------------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Leinster Senior Football Championship:--------------------------------...
which began on 5 May, 2002. It took place in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
on 22 September, 2002.
The final, which was a replay of the 1953 All-Ireland Senior Football Final involved the teams from Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
and Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
. Kerry were attempting to win their 33rd All-Ireland
Sam Maguire Cup
The Sam Maguire Cup, often called The Sam , is the name of the cup that is awarded to winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
whilst Armagh, competing in a final on only the third occasion were trying to capture the championship for the first time.
Road to the Final
Kerry were at the time, and remain, the most successful county in terms of number of championships won. Armagh on the other hand, whilst having dominated UlsterUlster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
for the last number of years, had never gone the whole way to capturing the Sam Maguire Cup. The two counties last championship meeting was in the 2000 All-Ireland Semi-Final, the first game ending in a draw and the Kerry going on to win the replay and subsequently the Championship.
Armagh's campaign
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
started in St. Tiernach's Park
St. Tiernach's Park
St. Tiernach's Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Clones, Ireland.It is the home of the Monaghan Gaelic football team. The Ulster Final was hosted here from 1970 until 2004: prior to this, Casement Park was the venue. From 2004 to 2006, the Ulster Final had been played in Croke Park,...
, Clones
Clones
Clones is a small town in western County Monaghan, in the 'border area' of the Republic of Ireland. The area is part of the Border Region, earmarked for economic development by the Irish Government due to its currently below-average economic situation...
where they drew Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
1-12 each, Armagh won the replay a week later 2-13 to 0-16. In the Ulster Semi-final they over-ran Fermanagh
Fermanagh GAA
The Fermanagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Fermanagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. The county board is also responsible for the Fermanagh inter-county teams-History:...
by double scores 0-16 to 1-05 and the Ulster Final saw them play Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
on 7 July, a match which they won 1-14 to 1-10.
Kerry's provincial campaign
Munster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
was not as successful however, losing to Cork in the semi-final 0-15 to 1-09. As a result they entered Round 2 of the All-Ireland Qualifiers and subsequently dismissed Wicklow
Wicklow GAA
The Wicklow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wicklow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wicklow...
5-15 to 0-07. The next round saw them face Fermanagh, who had already been defeated by Armagh. Fermanagh again proved impotent as Kerry steamrolled them 2-15 to 0-04. Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
, their opponents in the fourth and final Qualifier game were beaten double scores 2-10 to 1-05.
All-Ireland Series
Armagh faced SligoSligo GAA
The Sligo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Sligo...
, the beaten Connacht
Connacht Senior Football Championship
The Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition for the senior county teams of Connacht GAA. A series of games are played during the summer months and the final is played in July....
finalists, in the All-Ireland Quarter Final. The first game in Croke Park ended in a 2-09 to 0-15 draw leading many pundits, especially Pat Spillane
Pat Spillane
Patrick Gerard Spillane , better known as Pat Spillane, is a retired Gaelic footballer and well known Irish sports pundit. He played Gaelic football with his local club Templenoe and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1991...
to believe that Armagh would continue to falter on the Croke Park stage. This was not helped by the fact that Armagh won the replay in Navan
Páirc Tailteann
Páirc Tailteann is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Navan, County Meath, Ireland. It is the home of the Meath Gaelic football and Hurling teams. The ground has a capacity of between 30,000 and 33,000. It is the venue of the annual Meath GAA club championship finals of which the winners...
.
Meeting Leinster Champions
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in the semi-final on 1 September would be Armagh's biggest test to date. With the game level 0-06 to 0-06 at the interval[] Armagh and Dublin traded scores throughout the second half with neither team having more than a two point lead at anytime, except the brief thirty or so seconds between Armagh's goal and Dublin's almost immediate response. With the game hanging in the balance Armagh's fragile lead was threatened by a free-kick, taken by Dublin star Ray Cosgrove, which ultimately hit the post sending Dublin crashing out and Armagh through to their first final since 1977 by a score of 1-14 to 1-13.
Kerry faced reigning All-Ireland and Connacht Champions Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in their quarter finals, dismissing the holders 2-17 to 1-12. In a replay of the Munster semi-final Kerry again faced Cork in the All-Ireland equivalent, this time beating the Lee-siders convincingly 3-19 to 2-07.
The Final
First Half
Stephen McDonnellStephen McDonnell
-Playing career:Steven is the current right corner forward on the Armagh senior football panel. He most recent successes include his sides 2006, Ulster senior football championship winning medal for his part in Armagh's easily won victory over rivals Donegal...
opened the scoring for Armagh in the second minute and Kerry forward Mike Frank Russell replied a minute later. McDonnell scored again for Armagh and Ronan Clarke added a third. With Kerry two points down scores from Colm Cooper
Colm Cooper
Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Dr. Croke’s and has been a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team since 2002. Cooper is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.-Club:Cooper helped Dr. Crokes win the 2000 Kerry...
, Eoin Brosnan
Eoin Brosnan
Eoin Brosnan is an Irish Gaelic football player who plays at centre forward. He is a former member of the for Kerry senior county team and plays his club football for Dr. Crokes. He is particularly renowned for his goal-scoring ability...
and Russell gave Kerry a one point lead after 15 minutes. Ronan Clarke pulled the game level for Armagh before two points from Dara Ó Cinnéide
Dara Ó Cinnéide
Dara Ó Cinnéide is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club An Ghaeltacht and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1995 until 2005. Ó Cinnéide captained Kerry to the All-Ireland title in 2004.-Biography:Dara Ó Cinnéide was born near Dingle,...
and a point apiece for Aidan Fitzmaurice and Liam Hassett
Liam Hassett
Liam Hassett is an Irish sportsperson. He plys Gaelic football with his local club Laune Rangers and Dublin side St Anne's, and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1995 until 2005. Hassett captained Kerry to the All-Ireland title in 1997. He won All Ireland Under 21 Medals in...
put some daylight between the teams. After trading scores for a while Armagh were five points down when Armagh forward Óisin McConville was pulled down by three Kerry defenders under the Canal End and given a penalty however Armagh hopes were dashed as a poor kick was saved by Kerry 'keeper Declan O'Keeffe. A point from Armagh man Diarmuid Marsden
Diarmuid Marsden
Diarmuid Marsden is an Irish Gaelic football player. He played football with his local club Clan na Gael in Armagh with whom he won Armagh Senior Football Championships in 1993 & 1994. Marsden was a member of the Armagh senior football team from 1993 until 2007. This was a very successful time for...
gave the Orchard Boys a small glimmer of hope but they went in trailing at the break 0-11 to 0-07.
Second Half
Armagh were late to arrive on the pitch and kept the Kerry team waiting almost 5 minutes as they received a spirited team talk from manager and defeated 1977 finalist Joe KernanJoe Kernan (Gaelic footballer)
Joe Kernan is a former sportsperson from County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He played Gaelic football with his local club Crossmaglen Rangers and with the Armagh senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. He won All-Star awards in 1977 and 1982...
. Kernan showed the team the momento he had received as a player in the '77 final after Armagh were defeated by Dublin and warned the players that they would face a similar fate if they failed to turn the game around.
Marsden and Ó Cinnéide again traded points and a free kick from McConville reduced the deficit to three. Hassett and McConville scored and the Armaghman converted a 45-metre free, Kerry's last score of the day came as Ó Cinnéide pointed again on 54 minutes.
In the 55th minute McConville charged through the Kerry back-line, played a one-two with team-mate Paul McGrane and buried the ball past O'Keeffe in the Kerry net sending Hill 16
Hill 16
Hill 16 officially called Dineen/Hill 16 is a terrace on the railway end of Croke Park, the show piece stadium of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Dublin City, Ireland. It is considered a national icon....
into uproar and reducing Kerry's lead to a solitary point. Scores from Ronan Clarke and Steven McDonnell, who had scored the first point of the day, were enough to give Armagh the lead for the first time since the opening stages of the game. Armagh held on for the last ten minutes and that was enough to give the Orchard County their first Championship.
Aftermath
Two weeks previously at the Hurling FinalAll-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
the Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
was awarded to Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
on a podium in the centre of the pitch whilst Cliff Richards
Cliff Richards
Cliff Richards is a comic book artist.-Biography:Richards is best known as the penciller of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer monthly series from Dark Horse Comics, as well as the artist on the Buffy limited series, Haunted...
' Congratulations
Congratulations (song)
"Congratulations" is a song written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter as the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1968 on 6 April with Cliff Richard performing....
was played over the public address system. On John Bannon's final whistle Armagh fans were determined that their first All-Ireland win would not be celebrated in the same way and thousands encroached onto the pitch, many climbing the fences from the Hill 16 end where McConville had scored his goal until stewards relented and opened the gates. Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney lifted the Sam Maguire from the Hogan Stand to a sea of orange and white and dedicated the win to the long-suffering Armagh fans whose hopes had been dashed on so many occasions over the years.
Two days later the new champions played a challenge game against neighbours Louth
Louth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
in Crossmaglen.