Your first ever intercounty game

Hammer Archer

Though this would be a nice general topic. What was the first ever game you attended as a child? What game was it, what was the score, what age were you, who did you go with, what do you remember about it, if anything?

For me, I think I was 5 years old and it was a league game in Páirc Tailteann between Meath and Fermanagh in 1993 or 1994 (back when the league started before Christmas) with the auld lad. Can't remember much of the game but I remember Meath won well and there were no goals scored (which I remember disappointed me). Clearly remember being fascinated by the old Navan manual scoreboard that had a guy looking out the window of it.

After that, I started going to league games close by pretty regularly. Think it was the following year when we played Dublin in the league. We were surrounded by Dublin kids in the stand. Me, still being wet behind the ears, felt left out of the Dublin chants and asked my Dad if I could join in with them. To this day I still remember his response: "You can! You'll be walking home though" :pac: Learned a valuable lesson that day.

Was absolutely fantastic being a young Meath fan back then. You grew up with success which made it all the more frustrating when the early 21st century came along and it all dried up.

endacl

Jaysus...

Sometime in the mid 70s. The auld fella took me to see Wexford/Kilkenny in Croker. I’d have been 4 or 5. Dad was from Wexford. Mothers a Kilkenny woman. I remember endless supplies of fizzy drinks and taytos standing under Sam Spudz at the canal end. Arrived home wearing a purple and gold cap and rosette. The crepe paper ones. Remember those? The mother was not impressed.

Can’t remember who won.

Gael85

First league match was Dublin v Armagh around 91/92. Would have been around 9 at the time. Was no goals in the game. Think Dublin won 12-9. Remember the community guard bringing a few of us from school. My first championship game was Dublin v Louth in 92. John O'Leary dropped the ball and Louth forward scored. Dublin came back in second half to win.0-15 to 1-9. Was also at Dublin v Clare(my father county) in 92 in the old Cusack stand. Always remember the Clare Clare Clare chats around the stadium.

Tell me how

Gael85 wrote: »

First league match was Dublin v Armagh around 91/92. Would have been around 9 at the time. Was no goals in the game. Think Dublin won 12-9. Remember the community guard bringing a few of us from school. My first championship game was Dublin v Louth in 92. John O'Leary dropped the ball and Louth forward scored. Dublin came back in second half to win. Was at Dublin v Clare(my father county) in 92 in the old Cusack stand. Always remember the Clare Clare Clare chats around the stadium.

Was at the same match, in the same stand. Remember my auld lad calling Charlie Redmond a tinker as he backed up to the wire to take a free.
Even, now, I think of it when I see Redmond on telly.

My first game was a National Football League game in Cusack Park in the late 1980's.
Think it might have been against Down but not sure.

Gael85

Tell me how wrote: »

Was at the same match, in the same stand. Remember my auld lad calling Charlie Redmond a tinker as he backed up to the wire to take a free.
Even, now, I think of it when I see Redmond on telly.

My first game was a National Football League game in Cusack Park in the late 1980's.
Think it might have been against Down but not sure.

Met Tom Morrissey during the summer and he was cursing Charlie too :D

Tell me how

Gael85 wrote: »

Met Tom Morrissey during the summer and he was cursing Charlie too :D

Some decent football played that day.

Goal by Vinny Murphy was top class (1min 20) (the b*stard).

Still, at least Donegal put manners on them.

Gael85

Tell me how wrote: »

Some decent football played that day.

Goal by Vinny Murphy was top class (1min 20) (the b*stard).

Still, at least Donegal put manners on them.

My father still talks about the Clare goal that was disallowed just before Vinnie goal.

Coillte_Bhoy

1975 Connacht Final replay, Mayo V Sligo in Castlebar, was 8 years old, I always remember my mate from next door crying because he wasn't being brought but his dad promising him that he would bring him to Croke Park for the semi final :pac: My abiding memory was of JP Keane hitting the crossbar or so i thought until i just now found a video of it and it was actually Willie Magee.
https://www.rte.ie/archives/category/sports/2015/0714/714747-sligo-are-connacht-champions/

Sligo won by a point, my Dad and his mates were in utter shock. Amazing to think we went through the 70's without one Connacht title. My second inter county game was the AI Final that year, wow that was some buzz for an 8 year old lad, i was blown away by the noise and colour on the Hill. Always have a had soft spot for the Dubs since but thats been sorely tested these last few years.

Marty Xavier

All Ireland Final 1983 Dublin vs Galway. Mesmerised my the Hill. I was 10, Galway ****ed that away.

kksaints

Have vague memories of going to a Kilkenny vs Cork camoige match around 2000 in Nowlan Park. Cork won with a fairly late goal.

The first senior hurling match was the All-Ireland semifinal between Kilkenny and Wexford in 2007. Wasn't the greatest of matches but at least Kilkenny thrashed Wexford very comfortably. The quarter final between Waterford and Cork was on afterwards and was an enjoyable match even if it probably wasnt one of the classics that those two had in the mid 00s.

First Inter county football matches were the Leinster semifinals in 2018. Neither were good matches, one was a Laois vs Carlow bore fest with little good play and the second was a Dublin hammering of Longford with at least some good football from the Dubs in the first half and a decent atmosphere from the hill.

Bonniedog

I was at Dublin hurling matches in early 70s when uncles was a player and then selector. Croke Park in the middle of winter was not the place to be, and the first game I vividly remember is the 1974 football semi final against Cork. Can still see in mind's eye Anton O'Toole's goal and would be hard put to distinguish many in recent years.

First time i'd seen Croke Park with more than a few hundred there. Hooked for life of course.

Poor_old_gill

Munster football final 1991 against limerick- I remember being there vaguely but I was 4/5 depending on when it was played.

Also remember being at the semi final that year as it was my first game in croker- down beat us and I can remember that we never looked like winning just because I can remember the emotions of the match.

I remember the Munster final against Clare in 92 and being really upset with my dad cos he had promised me all week that Kerry were gona win.

We used go everywhere- I can remember winter league matches in the snow in birr and trips to Navan in the early to mid 90s.

One thing that I can always remember from those days is whenever we played cork that billy Morgan would spend a load of time on the pitch shouting at the ref and the abuse that he used to get from Kerry fans was crazy looking back

Also remember the rake of pints that my dad and his mates would drink and then drive home with- was the done thing back then

KrustyUCC

Munster Hurling Final 1992 Cork v Limerick in Pairc ui Chaoimh

Was 7

Dad, two uncles, few friends from the club, another young fella on my parish league team and me

Cork won 1-22 – 3-11

Tomas Mulcahy scored a bizarre goal where he hand passed the sliotar from one hand to the other and then kicked it to the net

Tell me how

KrustyUCC wrote: »

Munster Hurling Final 1992 Cork v Limerick in Pairc ui Chaoimh

Was 7

Dad, two uncles, few friends from the club, another young fella on my parish league team and me

Cork won 1-22 – 3-11

Tomas Mulcahy scored a bizarre goal where he hand passed the sliotar from one hand to the other fouled the ball and then kicked it to the net

FYP

KrustyUCC

Yeah but Willie Barrett didn't think so

NIMAN

I'm a bad example in this, as I ain't a GAA fan at all.

My first intercounty game was Donegal v Kerry AI 2012.
And it'll probably be my last!

Poor_old_gill

NIMAN wrote: »

I'm a bad example in this, as I ain't a GAA fan at all.

My first intercounty game was Donegal v Kerry AI 2012.
And it'll probably be my last!

Yet you’re on the GAA forum and commenting on threads?

NIMAN

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Yet you’re on the GAA forum and commenting on threads?

I wasn't on a GAA Forum.

You do know that the LATEST list shows threads from all forums, ones you have little interest in?

I seen it there and decided to post as I had something to contribute, that ok with you?

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

To be honest, I haven't a notion when it was, I may have been brought to various matches but the first time I can remember seeing a Roscommon team was a friendly against Westmeath to open Clann na nGael's new clubhouse in 1994, I would have been 9. First time I saw them in Championship (again, that I can remember) was 1998, a Connacht Semi-Final replay at Markievicz Park when we beat Sligo by a point.

Gael85

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Munster football final 1991 against limerick- I remember being there vaguely but I was 4/5 depending on when it was played.

Also remember being at the semi final that year as it was my first game in croker- down beat us and I can remember that we never looked like winning just because I can remember the emotions of the match.

I remember the Munster final against Clare in 92 and being really upset with my dad cos he had promised me all week that Kerry were gona win.

We used go everywhere- I can remember winter league matches in the snow in birr and trips to Navan in the early to mid 90s.

One thing that I can always remember from those days is whenever we played cork that billy Morgan would spend a load of time on the pitch shouting at the ref and the abuse that he used to get from Kerry fans was crazy looking back

Also remember the rake of pints that my dad and his mates would drink and then drive home with- was the done thing back then

Was there a row between Billy Morgan and Kerry selector around in a game 92/93? Remember watching on Sunday game at the time.

Gael85

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote: »

To be honest, I haven't a notion when it was, I may have been brought to various matches but the first time I can remember seeing a Roscommon team was a friendly against Westmeath to open Clann na nGael's new clubhouse in 1994, I would have been 9. First time I saw them in Championship (again, that I can remember) was 1998, a Connacht Semi-Final replay at Markievicz Park when we beat Sligo by a point.

Eddie Lohan was brilliant for Roscommon in 98.

RMAOK

As far as I can remember, my first county game that I attended was a hurling league final between my own county (Galway) and limerick below in Ennis. It was around 1996 or 97 I think. Galway lost - I'd have been around 11 or 12, I'd say.

Poor_old_gill

NIMAN wrote: »

I wasn't on a GAA Forum.

You do know that the LATEST list shows threads from all forums, ones you have little interest in?

I seen it there and decided to post as I had something to contribute, that ok with you?

Well it's a GAA thread and you have made a point of saying that you're not really interested in GAA so it's a bit odd that you have bothered.

I'm just applying logic to a situation, that ok with you?

Poor_old_gill

Gael85 wrote: »

Was there a row between Billy Morgan and Kerry selector around in a game 92/93? Remember watching on Sunday game at the time.

Maybe so - I can remember the abuse that used to be shouted at him an it was crazy! He ended up being my coach later in life and I always thought it was funny that I had spent the years of about 6 -15 thinking that Billy Morgan was the biggest b*llix ever put on God's green earth.

Tell me how

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Maybe so - I can remember the abuse that used to be shouted at him an it was crazy! He ended up being my coach later in life and I always thought it was funny that I had spent the years of about 6 -15 thinking that Billy Morgan was the biggest b*llix ever put on God's green earth.

A sentiment probably repeated with every single player Davy Fitz has coached.

The_Kew_Tour

1989 Munster Final V Kerry. I was 5 but have photos from the day. Was at 1990 AI final v meath and semi v Roscommon but again very vague memory.

First one I remember was 1991 Munster Final v Tipp in Thurles. I remember the Tipp fans running into the pitch after few goals.

padd b1975

A challenge game to mark the opening of new dressing rooms at our club pitch between Mayo and Offaly in 1979.

Martin Furlong ruffled my hair.

Gael85

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

1989 Munster Final V Kerry. I was 5 but have photos from the day. Was at 1990 AI final v meath and semi v Roscommon but again very vague memory.

First one I remember was 1991 Munster Final v Tipp in Thurles. I remember the Tipp fans running into the pitch after few goals.

I remember that game in 91. Wasn't there a replay? Remember Nicky English scored a goal and there was a hole in the net or something?

Hesh's Umpire

Can't be sure. The da wasn't a big GAA man but it would have been his brothers brought me to a Laois game in the Leinster football championship in Tullamore. Can't be sure but think we beat Kildare. Mid to late 70s.

The_Kew_Tour

Gael85 wrote: »

I remember that game in 91. Wasn't there a replay? Remember Nicky English scored a goal and there was a hole in the net or something?

Can't remember, but that's probably cause Cork lost:pac:

Bonniedog

NIMAN wrote: »

I'm a bad example in this, as I ain't a GAA fan at all.

My first intercounty game was Donegal v Kerry AI 2012.
And it'll probably be my last!

That's us fked now,,,,,,;)

PTH2009

Waterford vs Dublin in the 2005 All Ireland Senior Hurling qualifiers in Walsh Park. Waterford won well, Dublin were weak at the time. Been hooked ever since and only missed a handful of Waterford hurling championship games since then

Waterford vs Longford in a football qualifier in 2006 was my first football championship game. Haven't been to many football games.

chubba1984

My first match was the Clare v Dublin football semi-final in '92 that has been mentioned already.

It might be nearly 30 years ago but I still remember the day vividly. I was 7 years old and I can recall how excited I was when my dad let me sit in the front seat, handed me the map and put me on navigator duty for the trip to Dublin. Sitting there in my yellow t shirt and blue trousers proud as punch. Just the two of us in the car. My dad was as excited as myself, him having played a bit for Clare and seeing the dark days like the hammering from Kerry in '79 which was still fresh enough in memory. Heading to Croke Park to watch a Clare team play in a championship game - first time in 60 years he kept saying. Being 7, that was nearly ten of my lifetimes...i realised that was a very long time.

I remember Dad telling the guy on the turnstile I was only 5 and the wink he gave me to keep quiet. Got the free entry and took our seats in the Upper Hogan. I'd never seen such a crowd and joined in with all the Clare, Clare, Clare chants. And the noise and all the flags flying when the Clare lads came out on the pitch.

Clare gave as good as they got too. Tom Morrissey was a colossus at midfield that day - I spent weeks afterwards practicing catching the ball over my head pretending to be Tom. I remember Padraig Conways disallowed goal and then Vinnie Murphys goal down the other almost immediately. The joy when we thought we'd scored and the devastation of effectively a six point swing.

The look on my Dads face when he realised it wasn't going to be Clare's day. The walk back to the car was very quiet. Me not really sure how to take it. Sitting in the car in Clonliffe College waiting to get out onto the road. I clearly remember Dad looking at me and asking "Well what did you make of that?".

And I started talking about what I had seen....and I'd say I didn't stop for the 4+ hours home. The result didnt really matter to me. I was talking about a bunch of heroes in the same saffron and blue colours I was wearing. There was nothing for it - I was going down to the pitch with the under 10s the next week. Pretending to be those heroes I has seen in Croke Park.

27 years later in my mid 30s I'm still playing GAA but the inspiration all started on that wonderful summers day all those years ago.

Pogue eile

Gael85 wrote: »

I remember that game in 91. Wasn't there a replay? Remember Nicky English scored a goal and there was a hole in the net or something?

No, the game in Thurles was the replay, Nicky English scored a perfectly good point in the drawn game that was waved wide, Pat Fox equalised in injury time to save the officials!!

Gael85

Pogue eile wrote: »

No, the game in Thurles was the replay, Nicky English scored a perfectly good point in the drawn game that was waved wide, Pat Fox equalised in injury time to save the officials!!

I knew there was some controversy near the end of that game. Tipp fans invaded pitch when scored a couple goals in replay? I think Aidan Ryan scored a goal?

Pogue eile

Gael85 wrote: »

I knew there was some controversy near the end of that game. Tipp fans invaded pitch when scored a couple goals in replay? I think Aidan Ryan scored a goal?

Correct and right, Pat Fox scored a great goal and a number of fans came on to the pitch - someone had cut the wire in the terrace, I mean who the **** brings a wire cutter to a match - and then Aidan Ryan scored an incredible goal to seal the win and the place went mental, I was only 12 at the time but remember it like it was yesterday. Tipp had been 9 pts down at one stage in the game.

Bonniedog

Im sure your father enjoyed it and remembered it as much as you did Chubba, One of my fondest memories is first time I brought then 4 year old daughter to see Dublin and Sligo in 2001 qualifiers.

She has become another life addict, who has been blessed to have missed most of the bad days. Looking forward to seeing her mettle being tested over next while!

(She has spared herself real pain by not going to the hurling..)

Dublin Donegal national league final. 1993 maybe? I think it was the year after Donegal beat them in the all Ireland final anyway.

Mushy

First one I remember was a Tipp v Cork match in Srmple Stadium. I want to say it was in 2000, but could have been year or two later. Tipp missed two penalties, cork won by a small enough margin.

Was in good seats, bout 5-10 rows back. It was amazing. Lovely day. In amongst bunch of cork fans, some asking my dad was he blind as had tipp colours, some then calling him by his twins name who lives in cork. All in good fun.

mistermiyagi

Gael85 wrote: »

Was there a row between Billy Morgan and Kerry selector around in a game 92/93? Remember watching on Sunday game at the time.

I can't remember any Cork football game where Billy Morgan didn't have a row with a Kerry selector so you're probably right.

Xenophile

I was 10.

First round on the Munster Football Championship 1957.

Venue, Walsh Park, Waterford.

Waterford victors over Kerry. Same year Louth captained by Dermot O'Brien (of showband fame) beat Cork in the All Ireland Final.

Bonniedog

And I thought I was old!

Well you were there when history was made for sure.

Hill St Blue

The first match I remember properly, was the Centenary Cup semi final between Cavan and Meath, in Croker in ' 84. I was in the Cusack stand with my Dad, and I was fairly scared by all the noise.

I distinctly remember there being a mad auld Monaghan man sitting beside me (they were in the other semi afaik) drinking milky tea from a glass bottle, eating sambos wrapped in newspaper, and going absolutely stonewall mental. That didn't exactly help to alleviate my fears!

Consey

1979 Ulster Final. Monaghan v Donegal in Clones. 6yrs old. Monaghan 1-15, Donegal 0-11. First Ulster Championship win for Monaghan in 41 years. Kieran Finlay scored 1-9. May well have been at League matches or evn earlier championship matches before, but that's the first one I remember. Whole family was there as Monaghan were in the Ulster Final!!!!!!

Love of Ulster Final day in Clones has never diminished since then.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Gael85 wrote: »

Eddie Lohan was brilliant for Roscommon in 98.

He was brilliant. I think he finished the Connacht Championship with something like 1-26. He got most of our scores in both the final and the replay against Galway that year. I maintain we would have beaten Derry if we had gotten out of Connacht that year. What could have been!

Cushtie

Some time around mid 80,s as far as I can remember. Kerry V Cork in munster football final in a packed out Fitzgerald Stadium. Went with auld fella. Back in the day when a kid could be lifted over the turnstiles. I remember it was a beautiful warm day. The old terrace was heaving.
There was a lad from our club playing in the minor game and I spent the whole time roaring at him anytime the ball came up that side of the field.
I dont remember too much about the senior game, But I think Cork won both minor and senior that day.

4Ad

Clare V Kilkenny league huring match in Limerick 1977.
We had just moved from London, lots of taytoes, and lemonade, no doubt the Da had a few pints ....

Stationmaster

Can't remember my exact first game but what I do remember most strongly, having started going to Clare games in the late 80's and early 90's, was how 'normal' the disappointment of coming home from Thurles after another false dawn was. I's very hard to describe but it was almost like everyone one of us supporting knew deep down that we weren't going to win and we never did - in finals anyway.

That's why the Munster Final win in 95 will always be my most cherished memory of a Clare match. Even writing about it now gives me goosebumps. To finally know what the feeling was of winning a Munster final will always stay with me. I can only imagine the feeling felt by those older than me who had through decades of defeats beforehand. The fact that there was only a handy Clare crowd made it even more special in a way because it meant something unreal to every one of us there.

Clubwise, I can just about remember the Clare Senior hurling final of 86. It was held in Carron, which would be in the middle of North Clare, between Clarecastle and O'Callaghans Mills which Clarecastle won well. My abiding memory of it though was thinking that if I stood in front of the sweet shop long enough looking sad they might give me some freebies.

PTH2009

Not first match related but interesting question

Is there any county who have not played in Croke Park since the redevelopment in either code ???

Tell me how

PTH2009 wrote: »

Not first match related but interesting question

Is there any county who have not played in Croke Park since the redevelopment in either code ???

I think with the various league finals which have taken place, that a lot of counties have had games there while if it was limited to championship matches, they would still be waiting to visit.

I'm thinking specifically of Leitrim who played only their 5th match ever there in the Div 4 final this earlier this year.

ShyMets

1989 Leinster Final between Dublin & Meath. My father brought myself and my Brother. Afterwards he took us to a pub on Dorset St which I'm almost sure was Birminghams.