When was first team you saw your county playing?

lala88

When was first team you saw your county playing? I think the first time i seen the footballers play (in the flash) was in the National League in 96 in Killarney v Laois. Cant remember the year but think it was around 1997/98 was the first time i seen the hurlers in a league game in Tralee v Wicklow

premierstone

I first seen Tipp hurlers playing in the '87 replay in Killarney, the day we ended the famine, what a day and if I didnt get addicted to hurling after that there really was no hope for me! Have only missed one Championship match since.

adrian522

First all Ireland final was 1987, and is the earliest game I remember but I'm sure there were earlier games I was at also, league games and what not.

Hey PS there've been a few "mini famines" since then though eh?

celticbest

The Dubs v Galway in the '83 All-Ireland final, I went with my Uncle and brother got lost leaving Crocker and ended up in Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station.

I remember asking a Garda what would happen if nobody came for me & he said don't worry I have a free cell down the back, I nearly sh!t myself, luckily my Uncle showed up about two minutes later.

I still remember it like it was yesterday & I was only 6 @ the time.....

Fr Tod Umptious

Saw Mayo first v Letrim back in the late 70s, can't remember the exact details but this must have been it

1978
Connacht Championship
FIRST ROUND: Mayo 2-18 Leitrim 1-8 (Ballina, 28/5/1978). MAYO: E Lavin; S Minogue, G King, V Ryan; M Gavin, S Sweeney, H Gavin; A Egan, D Dolan (0-3); J Mallee (1-2), W Nally (0-3), L Donoghue; R Bell (0-3), WJ Padden (0-4), W Fitzpatrick (1-3, two points from frees).

But I clearly remember my first time in Croke Park, Mayo v Kerry 1981 Semi -Final

dcr22B

I was at the greatest match ever, the 1977 AI semi final between Dublin and Kerry but I remember nothing of it as I was in my mother's womb at the time :P

First game I was at was the AI semi final between Dublin and Cork in 1983 but I remember very little about it. First game that I have a vivide memory of was the 1985 AI semi final replay between the Dubs and Mayo.

martyeds

1987 i believe it was. Lost to Armagh by 5 points in Ballybofey. Dont remember an awful lot about it apart from Des Newton (current Roscommon manager) got sent off. He taught my older brother in secondary school at the time and i couldnt wait to get home to tell my brother about it.

premierstone

adrian522 wrote: »

Hey PS there've been a few "mini famines" since then though eh?

16 years without a provincialn title was a famine, anything since was us just taking a break

Mountainlad

2001, the year before the magic happened!

SeaFields

Football was a Cork and Kerry Munster final in Tralee. It pissed rain down on top of us and I was squashed through the turnstiles with my father and has to sit on my uncles lap for the match. Cant remember vividly an old woman beside me standing up and roaring "G'wan Jacko" every few minutes. Can't even remember the result. It was late 80's. Twas a confusing place and atmosphere for a child but I didn't hesitate going to my next game. Addiction ensued!

Chiliroses

Kerry V's Dublin 1985 thats the first game I remember

Syferus

The first one I can remember was the 1998 Connacht Final Replay at the Hyde. We battled to a stale-mate for a second time with the eventual All-Ireland champions when, in extra-time, Derek Thompson, our keeper, passed the ball directly to Michael Donnellan. And who better to score a winning goal? After 160 minutes of football that was as absolute hammer blow, I can still remember the white-washed chains on the stand side of the Hyde, the stone bleachers, the fading light as our championship died.

Still haven't repaid Galway for that one at home. Maybe in ten days time those old ghosts can finally rest.

cournioni

Dublin vs Cavan Football League Semi Final 1989 in Croke Park. It's my earliest memory.

The_Kew_Tour

First time was Kerry v Cork in Killarney in 1989.

First time with hurlers was Thurles in 1990 against Tipp.(will never forget that day for as long as I live. Cork were 5/1 the same day)

dastardly00

I'm fairly sure that the first time I saw Kilkenny play was against Laois in the 1995 Leinster SHC quarter-final in Carlow. KK won 2-14 to 2-12. I can't really remember any of it though.
I was in Croke Park for the Leinster final that year when Offaly beat KK. I was there with my uncle and a few cousins. There was a woeful thunderstorm before the match started and we were in the upper Cusack and got soaked. So my uncle made us leave Croke Park halfway through the first half!
I started regularly going to KK's championship matches from 1997 onwards and I've only missed about 4 or 5 matches since.

The last 10 years have been amazing

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Roscommon v Westmeath back at the opening of our local GAA pitch in 1994. Can't remember what the score was at all but it was just a challenge game.

First time I saw them in the championship was the 1998 Connacht Final v Galway in Tuam, we drew that day and Galway went on to beat us in the replay in the Hyde.

I was a bit of a late starter at 13, but haven't missed too many since!

premierstone

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

First time was Kerry v Cork in Killarney in 1989.

First time with hurlers was Thurles in 1990 against Tipp.(will never forget that day for as long as I live. Cork were 5/1 the same day)

And rightly so, shur everyone knows donkey's dont win derbies

thesultan

First time I can remember is Waterford playing Cork in Thurles in 89

fasttalkerchat

I can't remember my first Armagh match. Probably 1999. I was at every game the all Ireland year and didn't see Armagh lose a game until the 2003 final

I was at about 20 games before I saw them lose, madness!

The_Kew_Tour

premierstone wrote: »

And rightly so, shur everyone knows donkey's dont win derbies

You cant beat a Cork v Tipp game in Thurles.

They were good times.

No game comes close. Great banter with Tipp crowd.

SeaFields

SeaFields wrote: »

Football was a Cork and Kerry Munster final in Tralee. It was late 80's.

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

First time was Kerry v Cork in Killarney in 1989.

I could have been in Killarney, before they did up the Fitzgeralds stadium. We were at the same game I'd say!

The_Kew_Tour

SeaFields wrote: »

I could have been in Killarney, before they did up the Fitzgeralds stadium. We were at the same game I'd say!

All I know is we won. We did get beat in Minor game.

Hammer Archer

My first Meath game as far as I remember was a game in Navan in Páirc Tailteann against Fermanagh. The only thing I can remember about it is that Meath won and no goals were scored (I was pretty disappointed about that ). I can also vividly remember being in awe at the old scoreboard in Navan. I was unaware that there was someone in the little box behind the scoreboard changing the scores manually. Can't for the life of me remember what year. It was definitely before the 1996 All Ireland win so probably 94 or 95. I was around 5 or 6 at the time.

Stevecw

1991 Dublin v Meath,,,but think Carlow played a hurling final before it. I was a child, don't remember any of it!! Still got ticket at home tho!!

Fireball07

First game I remember, was in 98, Limerick V Cork.

I was 5, we lost by a goal, but we did score 2 late goals to make it tight after Cork had been well ahead.

I was possibly at a league game before that but I don't remember it at all.

The_Kew_Tour

Fireball07 wrote: »

First game I remember, was in 98, Limerick V Cork.

I was 5, we lost by a goal, but we did score 2 late goals to make it tight after Cork had been well ahead.

I was possibly at a league game before that but I don't remember it at all.

I remember that game very well.

I remember me and few others were getting ready to come onto the pitch and within the space of minute ye got 2 goals for a nervy finish.

We just won the league so we were on bit of high, until we met Clare who killed us.

deisedude

My first Waterford game was the 1998 League final v Cork. About 8 or 9 at the time

Felexicon

The first game I went to was a challenge match between Meath and Clare. I think it was for the opening of a new pitch and was in around 94/95.
I only remember 2 things from the game. Meath won and a young lad standing behind the goal got knocked out after being hit in the face by a shot that went wide.

The first big game was the AI final between Meath and Mayo in '96. I was gutted when the old man couldn't get me a ticket for the replay

To Alcohol

Kildare v Kerry in a league game in Newbridge. Think it was 82. The only things I remember was Larry Tompkins playing full forward and it ended in a draw.

c_man

The first time I remember seeing them in the flesh was in Tuam in '97 against Mayo. Bad result but I always think of the amount of slagging a crowd of similarly aged Mayo kids gave us for being boggers

whatnext

Meath v Dublin, croke park, Leinster Championship 1983 the drawn match.
We were taken by our club, and even had a kick about on the pitch after the game. Dont really remember much about the game, I was only 8.

The first game I have a clear recollection of was the Meath v Offaly league game in Navan later that year.

It was the begining of a Golden age for Meath football, hard to believe its nearly 30 years ago....................:(

Stinicker

1993 in Fitzgerald Stadium Kerry V Cork I was 6, endured three hard years thereafter until Kerry set the precedent and eventually beat Cork in 1996 and went on their greatest ever era of complete and utter sheer domination over our greatest of Rivals.

1998 was my first trip to Croke Park aged 11 (and also Dublin) to see Kerry V Kildare and again that first outing did not go well either.

klong

Apparently the second replay of Meath v Dublin 1991 but I don't remember it.

Next Meath match I remember going to was Meath v Carlow '96 and winning 0-24 to 0-6 or something like that.

watermark

waterford v tipp in pairc ui chaoimh in.....1995 i think. pat fox came on and scored 2-3 or something and crushed us in last 15mins. i was only 9.

walking out under the old barns i snapped my little waterford flag over my knee. father clipped me across the back of the head! he said "u could have kept it for next year" to which i replied "im not going next year!" still makes me laugh.

only missed 3 championship games since!

Zombot

1991 Munster Final replay Tipp vs Cork in Semple Stadium, I was too young to remember in much detail, I just remember the excitement

Flukey

I don't remember my first Dublin game, but it would have been about the mid 1970s. I clearly remember the 1979 Leinster final, being just behind the Canal End goal where Bernard Brogan got the last minute goal to beat Offaly.

Hulk Hands

Syferus wrote: »

The first one I can remember was the 1998 Connacht Final Replay at the Hyde. We battled to a stale-mate for a second time with the eventual All-Ireland champions when, in extra-time, Derek Thompson, our keeper, passed the ball directly to Michael Donnellan. And who better to score a winning goal? After 160 minutes of football that was as absolute hammer blow, I can still remember the white-washed chains on the stand side of the Hyde, the stone bleachers, the fading light as our championship died.

Still haven't repaid Galway for that one at home. Maybe in ten days time those old ghosts can finally rest.

Still remember that one! I remember a steward lifting me over the fence because I was so small and sitting on the grass watching the game behind the goal opposite where donnelan scored. That game was so tense. Ja Fallon was immense.

My first game was 1997 vs Mayo. Poor result, but the seed was sown and by the time the following championship came around I knew every players name backwards. Went to every game during that brilliant 98 season

premierstone

Zombot wrote: »

1991 Munster Final replay Tipp vs Cork in Semple Stadium, I was too young to remember in much detail, I just remember the excitement

An unbelievable game tbf, two great teams in their pomp and Aidan Ryan's winning goal still makes the hairs stand on the back of the neck!

Dots1982

Kildare Supporter. Donegal in the 1991 National League Semi Final. We won to setup a league final with the dubs which we lost. Donegal went on to be All ireland champs the next year

aidan24326

First Galway game I remember watching on tv was the 1983 semi final against Donegal. Finished 1-12 to 1-11 I think.

First game I remember attending was the 1984 Connaught final vs Mayo in Pearse Stadium. Won that by a point too before getting walloped by the great Kerry team in the All-Ireland semi final.

First trip to Croke Park was '87 football semi vs Cork. Larry Tompkins kicked a late free to draw the game and Cork won the replay easily.

Pretty sure my first outing to see the hurlers was in a Railway Cup game against Munster in Ballinasloe, back in the day when the Railway Cup actually meant something (about '84 I think). Remember Ger Cunningham pointing a free from about 100 yards wind-assisted**.

**edit: was actually around his own 21 yard line so must have been more like 130 yards. some score even with the strong breeze.

K-9

martyeds wrote: »

1987 i believe it was. Lost to Armagh by 5 points in Ballybofey. Dont remember an awful lot about it apart from Des Newton (current Roscommon manager) got sent off. He taught my older brother in secondary school at the time and i couldnt wait to get home to tell my brother about it.

I was at that match and that was about the only thing of note in it from a Donegal perspective! He got booked and kept niggling the corner forward straight after it. Sent off before the free he gave away was even kicked. The away match in 88 was worse, we got hammered and Ireland beat England in Stuttgart at the same time.

aidan24326 wrote: »

First Galway game I remember watching on tv was the 1983 semi final against Donegal. Finished 1-12 to 1-11 I think.

First match I remember seeing on TV too.

First league match was a league match in Ballybofey against Dublin, Autumn 1984 IIRC. McEniff nearly thumped the ref afterwards, think he disallowed a goal for a square ball.

Championship was 1985 and seeing McHugh basically single handedly beat Down. We got thumped by a very good Monaghan team in Castleblayney after but our minors won and went onto win Ulster, a couple of them were on the 92 squad.

LeoB

The first game I remember going to was 1974 All-Ireland semi final Dublin v Cork and being in the Cusack stand. I was at games before that but dont remember them. Over the next 30years visited most grounds with Dublin teams from BallybofeY, Omagh, Longford, Crossmaglen, Thurles, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Tuam Breffnie Pk, Dr Cullen Pk.

The best crack and atmosphere was Thurles for All-Ireland semi-final Dublin v Kerry. The build up outside the ground and the banter inside. Great advert for Irish sports.

thegen

LeoB wrote: »

The first game I remember going to was 1974 All-Ireland semi final Dublin v Cork and being in the Cusack stand. I was at games before that but dont remember them. Over the next 30years visited most grounds with Dublin teams from BallybofeY, Omagh, Longford, Crossmaglen, Thurles, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Tuam Breffnie Pk, Dr Cullen Pk.

The best crack and atmosphere was Thurles for All-Ireland semi-final Dublin v Kerry. The build up outside the ground and the banter inside. Great advert for Irish sports.

Leo,

My 1st was AI Final 1974, some elder lemons on here!!!!!! Like yourself I've been all over. Hill 17 was my highlight.

lala88

This thread is really showing the age of some posters :pac:

cavan4sam

first game that i was at was 1982 ulster final cavan v donegal
unfortunately we lost which is what i remember most :mad:

Aiel

I was brought to my first Galway Senior matches around 1989.I think my first game was a hurling league game vs Limerick.
However the memory that stands out for me was my first time in Croke Park that same year at the league hurling semi finals.We were on the old Hogan Stand,i remember climing up the steps from the back of the stand out onto the front of it and getting my first look down at the Croke Park pitch-i knew from that moment onwards that there was no going back!!!:)

pipelaser

I remember being at a league Game, Kerry Vs Meath back around 1988, I couldn't have been less Interested 6 year old. Think I remember just rolling down the hills. But I remember looking at this fella with Curly blonde hair, and my Dad shouting "Well done Martin!", must have been Martin O'Connell. I have Brian Staffords autograph from that game as well. Didn't have a clue who he was!

First game I remember having an active interest in was Meath Vs Laois in Pairc Tailteann in '94. My aul fella stuck me on a wall because I would have been too small to see from the terrace. He asked this Laois fella beside me to keep an eye on me. He asked me if i was a Laois man? His friendly demeanor disappeared when I told him I was from Meath!
Trevor Giles made his debut that day and kicked 6 frees and got man of the Match. I clearly remember a massive buzz from the crowd any time Tommy Dowd ran for a ball. Think he kicked 4 points that day. Some player! Great team from Great Days.

LeftBlank

My first time at a GAA match was the 1990 Cork-Galway All Ireland Hurling final. Great match to start off with. From there I was hooked and I went to see my county, Dublin, play in the hurling league in Croke Park in October 1990. I can't remember who they were against though. All I remember is it was very cold and there was feck all people there.

Comic Book Guy

Remember heading to salthill for the weekend back in 1988 and seeing the Rossies beat Galway 2-10 to 1-10. Remember Bishop Casey giving my baby brothera blessing on the way out of the match afterwards.
Simpler times!!
Hoping for similar result tomorrow

Thepredator

Dublin v Meath Leinster championship quarter final 1997. Paul bealin hit the cross bar with a peno in the last minute, think Meath won by three.

cormacocomhrai

Galway Hurlers 1987 National Hurling League Final in Thurles. I was 8 at the time. Galway bet Clare 3-12 to 3-10. That was a very good Clare side at the time. They were very competitive and were unlucky not to make the breakthrough against Cork in the Munster final the year before. They still had the likes of Loughnane and you had people like Cyril Lyons as well. I'm not sure if my abiding memory of the game happened or not as far as I can recollect Michael Coleman played at midfield for Galway, had a poor game and was substituted. I can remember two old Galway fellas behind me and one of them says to the other "Well we won't be hearing of him again." As I said that's my memory but I can't vouch for it.

First time I saw the footballers play was also against Clare in a League match in Pearse Stadium. Around about 1988 I'd say. Stephen Joyce scored a penalty for Galway.

First time in Croke Park: August 1988. Double header Tipp V Antrim and Galway V Offaly. All-Ireland semi-finals. I can still remember the excitement that the Antrim crowd brought with them and have a soft sport for them since. They were competitive for most of the game but lost 3-15 to 2-10. Galway bet Offaly 3-18 to 3-14. That was a great game.