Memories

[givehimaball]

Oct 4, 2022 15:24:58 GMT veteran said:

The history of Kerry football is a storied one but it is chastening to think that it encapsulates some painful memories as well.

I am old enough to recall consecutive defeats to Down and Galway. Then of course we had the arrival of Tyrone and , more recently, Dublin. One consolation , if it can be construed as a consolation , all those defeats had was they were inflicted by superb teams. The 2001 Meath annihilation belongs to a darker world.

Was that Meath team a superb outfit? No matter how generously you approach that question you could not answer in the affirmative. They won an an uninspiring All-Ireland in 1999 and subsequent to them eviscerating us in the 2001 semifinal they were similarly toasted, perhaps to not the same extent, by Galway in the final. This was a Galway team we had beaten in the 2000 final and a Galway team we would maul in 2002.

How then does one explain our capitulation against Meath? I don’t have an answer. It is like asking who killed JFK. Likely to remain forever a mystery. One of the great disappointments in the Kerry football story and perhaps the most inexplicable.

The glories of 2022 make it bearable to relive a day which bordered on the macabre.

One positive of the Meath nightmare is that I think it drove on a lot of players and helped fuel the subsequent All-Ireland wins.

If you look at the the younger players who played that day and the minors who lost to Dublin in the match before there was a lot of guys present that day who drove standards in the noughties. A fair few player over the years have mentioned it being a key game for them and how it drove them on.

This thread is about memories and in a way the Meath game is one of my most vivid Kerry memories - just the sheer blindsided shock of what happened, not that Kerry were beaten but just the absolute non-performance of the team.

[glengael]

The match programme v Cork in 1991 had a team photo of Cork, with the heading All Ireland Champions 1991. An error I'm sure but it was nice to reflect on after the event. Hubris might be the word.

[thehermit]

Will I ever forget 2001, going to Dublin was still a novelty as would only be starting Uni up there in the years to follow. My parents and brother and myself making the trip with my Dad splashing out on a new Kerry jersey for me for the occasion, the blue Munster version that I still wear when I'm pounding the roads on a run.

We had missed out on getting any tickets for the two AI games the year before, so this was mine and my brothers first chance to see the Kingdom strut its stuff in the new Croke Park.

Such excitement such hope and almost instantly such despair! We were staying with my sister so we had no worries about beating the traffic or a long trek home. Because of that, I reckon we were the only four Kerry supporters left in Croker when the final whistle sounded.

There's always been those rumours about what supposedly happened in the dressing room before. How I'd love to know from a fly on the wall what actually went on that day. The performance was so inept, so shocking you almost feel there must have been some unique underlying cause.

The Meath supporters ole ole -ing and cheering every time Meath passed the ball to each other in those final, torturous minutes is an insult that lives long in the memory. So is the jeering we took as we walked in our downcast dejection up Jones Road. I've never liked Meath fans since - a feeling only reinforced by witnessing some of their carry on against us in the 09 semi-final and the 2019 Super 8 game in Navan.

I curse that infamous white jersey and yet in the 21 years since I always see someone, somewhere wearing it the day of a big game. Sure enough the morning of the final this year a young lady was draped in it having her breakfast in a cafe in Drumcondra. I bumped into the same woman on Monday night in Tralee still wearing it and unburdened my soul to her about how that jersey haunts me, mocks me to this day. Needless to say being from Sinagpore and having been brought by a friend to the game and being given her spare jersey, the significance of my confession was lost on her.

Still we raised a pint to Seanie and the 2022 Kerry team - always remember good times are coming, be they every so far away 

[greengold35]

Oct 4, 2022 15:24:58 GMT veteran said:

The history of Kerry football is a storied one but it is chastening to think that it encapsulates some painful memories as well.

I am old enough to recall consecutive defeats to Down and Galway. Then of course we had the arrival of Tyrone and , more recently, Dublin. One consolation , if it can be construed as a consolation , all those defeats had was they were inflicted by superb teams. The 2001 Meath annihilation belongs to a darker world.

Was that Meath team a superb outfit? No matter how generously you approach that question you could not answer in the affirmative. They won an an uninspiring All-Ireland in 1999 and subsequent to them eviscerating us in the 2001 semifinal they were similarly toasted, perhaps to not the same extent, by Galway in the final. This was a Galway team we had beaten in the 2000 final and a Galway team we would maul in 2002.

How then does one explain our capitulation against Meath? I don’t have an answer. It is like asking who killed JFK. Likely to remain forever a mystery. One of the great disappointments in the Kerry football story and perhaps the most inexplicable.

The glories of 2022 make it bearable to relive a day which bordered on the macabre.

The Meath debacle is something I raised with a couple of the players a few years later - independently they each said the same thing - overtraining. Both recounted doing endless laps of Fitzgerald Stadium with very little football being played - one said he had little or no energy the day of the game - maybe, maybe not.

[Corner Back]

2012 v Tyrone in Killarney was a special day also. A highly charged atmosphere.

[buck02]

A forgotten one is the 2010 replay against Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Was probably the height of that rivalry between two of the top three teams in the country during 2007-2011.

Gooch has equalised with a last minute free in Killarney the week before. The second day out Cork were on top early and were a good bit up. Donaghy feeding Gooch for a goal then in second half. Red card for Cork. Marc coming up from corner back to kick a brilliant equaliser in injury time. Galvin "fishhooking" controversy. Both benches emptied to the limit. Kerry holding out in extra time.

Probably forgotten about after the Down debacle few weeks later.

[greengold35]

The 1997 Munster U-21 final replay vs Cork was a sweet one!
The sides had finished level in Tralee & one week later met in Pairc Ui Rinn - again, virtually nothing between the sides with Kerry holding a 2 point lead in injury time - a Cork attack saw corner forward Phillip Clifford go to ground with the referee signalling a penalty - Cork crowd around me were delirious only for David Moloney to deny them with a great save - a very satisfying result!
A few days later, Kerry were forced to line out vs Meath in the AI semi final played in Nenagh & were cruelly robbed by some baffling refereeing decisions.
After the game a group of supporters gathered outside the referee’s dressing room, to voice their frustration with his performance- an age seemed to pass before he exited accompanied by Donie Sheahan who escorted him to his car - a potentially dangerous situation defused by common sense.

[ciarraimick]

Oct 5, 2022 12:03:41 GMT greengold35 said:

Oct 4, 2022 15:24:58 GMT veteran said:

The history of Kerry football is a storied one but it is chastening to think that it encapsulates some painful memories as well.

I am old enough to recall consecutive defeats to Down and Galway. Then of course we had the arrival of Tyrone and , more recently, Dublin. One consolation , if it can be construed as a consolation , all those defeats had was they were inflicted by superb teams. The 2001 Meath annihilation belongs to a darker world.

Was that Meath team a superb outfit? No matter how generously you approach that question you could not answer in the affirmative. They won an an uninspiring All-Ireland in 1999 and subsequent to them eviscerating us in the 2001 semifinal they were similarly toasted, perhaps to not the same extent, by Galway in the final. This was a Galway team we had beaten in the 2000 final and a Galway team we would maul in 2002.

How then does one explain our capitulation against Meath? I don’t have an answer. It is like asking who killed JFK. Likely to remain forever a mystery. One of the great disappointments in the Kerry football story and perhaps the most inexplicable.

The glories of 2022 make it bearable to relive a day which bordered on the macabre.

The Meath debacle is something I raised with a couple of the players a few years later - independently they each said the same thing - overtraining. Both recounted doing endless laps of Fitzgerald Stadium with very little football being played - one said he had little or no energy the day of the game - maybe, maybe not.

The Meath game was unreal. Twice in my lifetime I saw Kerry destroyed by 15pts.1990 v Cork and Meath O1. O1 was worse as we were defending All Ireland champions. I was in upper Dávin and remained seated there for a bit after game finished in total shock and tbh embarrassment. I know that sounds unfair but one can't help their feelings. There were all sort of rumours going around and the rumour mill always goes into overdrive after a loss. One rumour was the captaincy caused unrest.Moynihan was Captain but when Eoin Brosnan made team he became captain. Word was the Crokes demanded he be captain but there might be no truth to that either. Brosnan was captain though. While I was more disappointed in 82 and 2011 it was a bad memory for sure. I actually watched the game again last night on YouTube for first time since that day. Moynihan was actually fantastic that day but alas most of the backs struggled. We were well beaten midfield although Darragh battled bravely. Our forwards were poor bar maybe Mike Frank and McGearailt in first. Even when Maurice entered the fray while he tried hard his freetaking was off that day. Our half back line was in shreds. Tomas was suspended and Mike Hassett replace him. Both Hassett and Tom Sullivan (the other wing back) both were replaced due to injuries in first half and to add insult to injury Fitzmaurice was sent off near the end. Noel Kennelly ended up half back. It was a day to forget but the irony of the game was Meath went downhill big time afterwards while Kerry went on to great things. Not one of my good memories.

[ciarraimick]

Oct 5, 2022 13:27:48 GMT buck02 said:

A forgotten one is the 2010 replay against Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Was probably the height of that rivalry between two of the top three teams in the country during 2007-2011.

Gooch has equalised with a last minute free in Killarney the week before. The second day out Cork were on top early and were a good bit up. Donaghy feeding Gooch for a goal then in second half. Red card for Cork. Marc coming up from corner back to kick a brilliant equaliser in injury time. Galvin "fishhooking" controversy. Both benches emptied to the limit. Kerry holding out in extra time.

Probably forgotten about after the Down debacle few weeks later.

Agreed 2010 was a very satisfying win as it was a replay in Cork. We drew with Cork in Killarney in 02 06 and 09 and they always beat us in the replay in PUC so 2010 when we drew again in Killarney it was special to win replay in extra time in PUC. As you say its not mentioned much as we got well beaten afterwards by Down. Same as Tyrone win in 2012.It was a great win and a great day for Kerry but diluted a little when Donegal beat us afterwards.

[Mickmack]

Oct 5, 2022 17:25:56 GMT ciarraimick said:

Oct 5, 2022 12:03:41 GMT greengold35 said:

The Meath debacle is something I raised with a couple of the players a few years later - independently they each said the same thing - overtraining. Both recounted doing endless laps of Fitzgerald Stadium with very little football being played - one said he had little or no energy the day of the game - maybe, maybe not.

The Meath game was unreal. Twice in my lifetime I saw Kerry destroyed by 15pts.1990 v Cork and Meath O1. O1 was worse as we were defending All Ireland champions. I was in upper Dávin and remained seated there for a bit after game finished in total shock and tbh embarrassment. I know that sounds unfair but one can't help their feelings. There were all sort of rumours going around and the rumour mill always goes into overdrive after a loss. One rumour was the captaincy caused unrest.Moynihan was Captain but when Eoin Brosnan made team he became captain. Word was the Crokes demanded he be captain but there might be no truth to that either. Brosnan was captain though. While I was more disappointed in 82 and 2011 it was a bad memory for sure. I actually watched the game again last night on YouTube for first time since that day. Moynihan was actually fantastic that day but alas most of the backs struggled. We were well beaten midfield although Darragh battled bravely. Our forwards were poor bar maybe Mike Frank and McGearailt in first. Even when Maurice entered the fray while he tried hard his freetaking was off that day. Our half back line was in shreds. Tomas was suspended and Mike Hassett replace him. Both Hassett and Tom Sullivan (the other wing back) both were replaced due to injuries in first half and to add insult to injury Fitzmaurice was sent off near the end. Noel Kennelly ended up half back. It was a day to forget but the irony of the game was Meath went downhill big time afterwards while Kerry went on to great things. Not one of my good memories.

21 years ago now and looking back one could nearly point to that game as the first year that Kerry were totally confounded and utterly unable to deal with a team that sat back, invited Kerry onto them, turned us over and hit us on the break.

Many have tried and succeeded with that tactic in the intervening period notably Armagh in 2002, Tyrone on a few occasions, Dublin in 2011 and Tyrone again in 2021.


Its why 2022 is so satisfying. For the first time in many years Kerry looked the team with the superior tactical nous above everyone else.

[hurlingman]

Oct 5, 2022 17:25:56 GMT ciarraimick said:

Oct 5, 2022 12:03:41 GMT greengold35 said:

The Meath debacle is something I raised with a couple of the players a few years later - independently they each said the same thing - overtraining. Both recounted doing endless laps of Fitzgerald Stadium with very little football being played - one said he had little or no energy the day of the game - maybe, maybe not.

The Meath game was unreal. Twice in my lifetime I saw Kerry destroyed by 15pts.1990 v Cork and Meath O1. O1 was worse as we were defending All Ireland champions. I was in upper Dávin and remained seated there for a bit after game finished in total shock and tbh embarrassment. I know that sounds unfair but one can't help their feelings. There were all sort of rumours going around and the rumour mill always goes into overdrive after a loss. One rumour was the captaincy caused unrest.Moynihan was Captain but when Eoin Brosnan made team he became captain. Word was the Crokes demanded he be captain but there might be no truth to that either. Brosnan was captain though. While I was more disappointed in 82 and 2011 it was a bad memory for sure. I actually watched the game again last night on YouTube for first time since that day. Moynihan was actually fantastic that day but alas most of the backs struggled. We were well beaten midfield although Darragh battled bravely. Our forwards were poor bar maybe Mike Frank and McGearailt in first. Even when Maurice entered the fray while he tried hard his freetaking was off that day. Our half back line was in shreds. Tomas was suspended and Mike Hassett replace him. Both Hassett and Tom Sullivan (the other wing back) both were replaced due to injuries in first half and to add insult to injury Fitzmaurice was sent off near the end. Noel Kennelly ended up half back. It was a day to forget but the irony of the game was Meath went downhill big time afterwards while Kerry went on to great things. Not one of my good memories.

I'm not sure where I seen it recently but it was Mike Hassetts last game for Kerry. But what actually surprised me most was he was only 27. Could have had a few more years in him, but he would have been travelling from Wicklow so might have become too much for him. Was Liam playing with a Dublin club that season as well?

It was also Maurice Fitzs last game. What a bad way to end.

It was really the start of Kerry rethinking how they played. Lads like Noel Kennely and McGearailt struggled to keep in the team despite being only in their mid 20s.

[thehermit]

A great consolation about that dark, dark day was that Meath profited from it ever since. Trounced in the final and an irrelevance in the 21 years that have followed. Their only "success" in this whole era was probably the most tainted provincial title ever won!

The 2009 semi-final might have been a dour, drab game but that night I celebrated our cold Greek dish with relish

[ciarraimick]

While that Meath defeat was hard to swallow I never got a hatred for Meath. Most Meath people I have met over the years were disgusted with a section of their fans trying to belittle Kerry. Even Darren Fay a few years after said he was nt one bit happy the way the Meath fans jeered Kerry. Karma hit them afterwards but I have great respect for many Meath warriors over the years and never let that turn me off them. I can't say I actually dislike any county too much but of course there are certain ones I'd hate losing to more than others. The cure is keep winning.

[Mickmack]

Meath should have offered Louth a replay in 2010.

They would have benefited many time over.

Screw ups and farce befall the GAA from time to time and the county that makes the magnanimous gesture reaps the benefit.

I believe Kerry did so on 2022 for the Tyrone Covid thing and the Cork PUC thing.

[ciarraimick]

Oct 6, 2022 21:10:28 GMT Mickmack said:

Meath should have offered Louth a replay in 2010.

They would have benefited many time over.

Screw ups and farce befall the GAA from time to time and the county that makes the magnanimous gesture reaps the benefit.

I believe Kerry did so on 2022 for the Tyrone Covid thing and the Cork PUC thing.

I agree 100%.I believe in sporting behaviour. The first time I remember it happening was a leinster championship match around 94 or 95 and Laois were awarded a point to beat Carlow by a point.It was a few feet wide and Laois offered Carlow a replay. In 1999 I was disappointed with Kerry as Tipp wanted a replay after a Ger Murphy was awarded a goal after putting ball through side netting. Tipp were managed ironically by Laois man Colm Browne. Kerry would nt grant Tipps request. In Kerry s defense we won by 6 points i think but the "goal" was a turning point. I thought we should have given Tipp another shot. However we def made up for it v Tyrone and eventhough we lost i genuinely feel we did the honourable thing and again this year with Cork.

[Mickmack]

Oct 6, 2022 21:18:18 GMT ciarraimick said:

Oct 6, 2022 21:10:28 GMT Mickmack said:

Meath should have offered Louth a replay in 2010.

They would have benefited many time over.

Screw ups and farce befall the GAA from time to time and the county that makes the magnanimous gesture reaps the benefit.

I believe Kerry did so on 2022 for the Tyrone Covid thing and the Cork PUC thing.

I agree 100%.I believe in sporting behaviour. The first time I remember it happening was a leinster championship match around 94 or 95 and Laois were awarded a point to beat Carlow by a point.It was a few feet wide and Laois offered Carlow a replay. In 1999 I was disappointed with Kerry as Tipp wanted a replay after a Ger Murphy was awarded a goal after putting ball through side netting. Tipp were managed ironically by Laois man Colm Browne. Kerry would nt grant Tipps request. In Kerry s defense we won by 6 points i think but the "goal" was a turning point. I thought we should have given Tipp another shot. However we def made up for it v Tyrone and eventhough we lost i genuinely feel we did the honourable thing and again this year with Cork.

I remember a neutral man saying to me after that Tipp match...."have Kerry no shame".

The covid training fiasco by Dublin back fired bigtime...they havent been able to buy a free since.

[thehermit]

Oct 6, 2022 21:41:36 GMT Mickmack said:

Oct 6, 2022 21:18:18 GMT ciarraimick said:

I agree 100%.I believe in sporting behaviour. The first time I remember it happening was a leinster championship match around 94 or 95 and Laois were awarded a point to beat Carlow by a point.It was a few feet wide and Laois offered Carlow a replay. In 1999 I was disappointed with Kerry as Tipp wanted a replay after a Ger Murphy was awarded a goal after putting ball through side netting. Tipp were managed ironically by Laois man Colm Browne. Kerry would nt grant Tipps request. In Kerry s defense we won by 6 points i think but the "goal" was a turning point. I thought we should have given Tipp another shot. However we def made up for it v Tyrone and eventhough we lost i genuinely feel we did the honourable thing and again this year with Cork.

I remember a neutral man saying to me after that Tipp match...."have Kerry no shame".

The covid training fiasco by Dublin back fired bigtime...they havent been able to buy a free since.

They bought enough Mick, 8 Sams I believe 😜

[hurlingman]

Oct 6, 2022 21:10:28 GMT Mickmack said:

Meath should have offered Louth a replay in 2010.

They would have benefited many time over.

Screw ups and farce befall the GAA from time to time and the county that makes the magnanimous gesture reaps the benefit.

I believe Kerry did so on 2022 for the Tyrone Covid thing and the Cork PUC thing.

From what I remember Meath wanted a replay but either their CB or the Leinster Council wouldn't allow it.

One thing about it thst sort of annoyed me about the whole thing is how Louth milked it for so long after. They played the following season and Meath won well. But Louth tended to make out everyone was out to get them.

[horsebox77]

Oct 6, 2022 21:18:18 GMT ciarraimick said:

Oct 6, 2022 21:10:28 GMT Mickmack said:

Meath should have offered Louth a replay in 2010.

They would have benefited many time over.

Screw ups and farce befall the GAA from time to time and the county that makes the magnanimous gesture reaps the benefit.

I believe Kerry did so on 2022 for the Tyrone Covid thing and the Cork PUC thing.

I agree 100%.I believe in sporting behaviour. The first time I remember it happening was a leinster championship match around 94 or 95 and Laois were awarded a point to beat Carlow by a point.It was a few feet wide and Laois offered Carlow a replay. In 1999 I was disappointed with Kerry as Tipp wanted a replay after a Ger Murphy was awarded a goal after putting ball through side netting. Tipp were managed ironically by Laois man Colm Browne. Kerry would nt grant Tipps request. In Kerry s defense we won by 6 points i think but the "goal" was a turning point. I thought we should have given Tipp another shot. However we def made up for it v Tyrone and eventhough we lost i genuinely feel we did the honourable thing and again this year with Cork.

Sorry, but I disagree, its swings and roundabout, it is like all of lifes decusions, they balance over time. Should Meath have offered the replay, or Kerry to Tipp after Gerry Murphy, No... because where does one draw the line... could * about the steps taken before the Dublin goals in 2011 and 2019 or the late tackle on Declan in 2011... no suck it up and drive on.... we have had similar 'luck' in 2009.. TK should have walked, Darren hopped twice and scored in 2nd half... you win some/lose some... invariably balances out.

[ciarraimick]

Oct 7, 2022 8:00:08 GMT horsebox77 said:

Oct 6, 2022 21:18:18 GMT ciarraimick said:

I agree 100%.I believe in sporting behaviour. The first time I remember it happening was a leinster championship match around 94 or 95 and Laois were awarded a point to beat Carlow by a point.It was a few feet wide and Laois offered Carlow a replay. In 1999 I was disappointed with Kerry as Tipp wanted a replay after a Ger Murphy was awarded a goal after putting ball through side netting. Tipp were managed ironically by Laois man Colm Browne. Kerry would nt grant Tipps request. In Kerry s defense we won by 6 points i think but the "goal" was a turning point. I thought we should have given Tipp another shot. However we def made up for it v Tyrone and eventhough we lost i genuinely feel we did the honourable thing and again this year with Cork.

Sorry, but I disagree, its swings and roundabout, it is like all of lifes decusions, they balance over time. Should Meath have offered the replay, or Kerry to Tipp after Gerry Murphy, No... because where does one draw the line... could * about the steps taken before the Dublin goals in 2011 and 2019 or the late tackle on Declan in 2011... no suck it up and drive on.... we have had similar 'luck' in 2009.. TK should have walked, Darren hopped twice and scored in 2nd half... you win some/lose some... invariably balances out.

I know what you mean Horse and you make a great point but what you are referring to are refs mistakes but I do think scores are different like Meath v Louth. I used to agree with swings and roundabout but in reality it does nt seem to happen for the smaller teams. Kildare got a run of back luck v Dublin in 11 with winning free awarded against them v Dubs and Down 2010 etc. Louth ever got that luck back. On 2009 I remember Darran s double hop that broke Corks will and thinking that will haunt us in future. 2 years later McManamon double hopped 40 yards from Dublin goal (a simple Sheehan free) but got away with it. A score then and Kerry more than likely would have won. I understand exactly your points but in certain circumstances good sport should apply and I think Meath should have offered Meath a replay.

[glengael]

I remember the evening in 2003, the last of that infamous 3 in a row, as one of the worst and longest journeys home after a match. The doom and gloom on the train that night and the 'we'll never see another All Ireland' comments...

[ciarraimick]

Oct 7, 2022 7:23:24 GMT hurlingman said:

Oct 6, 2022 21:10:28 GMT Mickmack said:

Meath should have offered Louth a replay in 2010.

They would have benefited many time over.

Screw ups and farce befall the GAA from time to time and the county that makes the magnanimous gesture reaps the benefit.

I believe Kerry did so on 2022 for the Tyrone Covid thing and the Cork PUC thing.

From what I remember Meath wanted a replay but either their CB or the Leinster Council wouldn't allow it.

One thing about it thst sort of annoyed me about the whole thing is how Louth milked it for so long after. They played the following season and Meath won well. But Louth tended to make out everyone was out to get them.

To my knowledge the Leinster council could nt order a replay due to rules. Meath would have to offer which they did nt. In their defense they also got bitter after Sean Boylan was attacked in the stand and with the carry on of a few Louth fans they decided against offering a replay.

[ciarraimick]

Oct 7, 2022 9:15:54 GMT glengael said:

I remember the evening in 2003, the last of that infamous 3 in a row, as one of the worst and longest journeys home after a match. The doom and gloom on the train that night and the 'we'll never see another All Ireland' comments...

The narrative that time was "Kerry can T win in croke park anymore". Pure horse manure! Kerry had lost to Meath Armagh and Tyrone 01 02 03 but the media forgetting that Kerry won a quarter final in croke park in 02 and a semi final and a quarter final in croke park again in 03.Paper never refuses ink. Anyway for a team that could nt beat Ulster teams and win in croke park we won Sam the next year 04 beating Derry in semi before destroying Mayo in final. I always find the media slant pure "Bull". I remember before 2011 final they saying last time Dubs bt Kerry in championship Elvis was alive. Well Dubs won. Last year Kerry have nt beaten Dubs in 13 years. Kerry won. Next year will they be saying "Sure Dublin have nt beaten Kerry in league or championship in 4 years". It's all about the present.

[Mickmack]

Oct 7, 2022 9:23:43 GMT ciarraimick said:

Oct 7, 2022 7:23:24 GMT hurlingman said:

From what I remember Meath wanted a replay but either their CB or the Leinster Council wouldn't allow it.

One thing about it thst sort of annoyed me about the whole thing is how Louth milked it for so long after. They played the following season and Meath won well. But Louth tended to make out everyone was out to get them.

To my knowledge the Leinster council could nt order a replay due to rules. Meath would have to offer which they did nt.

The score per the refs report is what matters. The GAAs hands were tied.

All it needed was Meath to do the honourable thing and i am sure the GAA would have gladly agreed to a replay.

Meath would have the high moral ground and i am certain they would have won the replay.

And even if they lost, they were still in the championship.

[glengael]

Oct 7, 2022 9:31:26 GMT ciarraimick said:

Oct 7, 2022 9:15:54 GMT glengael said:

I remember the evening in 2003, the last of that infamous 3 in a row, as one of the worst and longest journeys home after a match. The doom and gloom on the train that night and the 'we'll never see another All Ireland' comments...

The narrative that time was "Kerry can T win in croke park anymore". Pure horse manure! Kerry had lost to Meath Armagh and Tyrone 01 02 03 but the media forgetting that Kerry won a quarter final in croke park in 02 and a semi final and a quarter final in croke park again in 03.Paper never refuses ink. Anyway for a team that could nt beat Ulster teams and win in croke park we won Sam the next year 04 beating Derry in semi before destroying Mayo in final. I always find the media slant pure "Bull". I remember before 2011 final they saying last time Dubs bt Kerry in championship Elvis was alive. Well Dubs won. Last year Kerry have nt beaten Dubs in 13 years. Kerry won. Next year will they be saying "Sure Dublin have nt beaten Kerry in league or championship in 4 years". It's all about the present.

There was certainly a sense from people I spoke to that night that Kerry needed new leadership on the sideline after 2003, if they were to start winning again.