John Fogarty
1. What? All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Donegal 1-12 Kildare 0-14 (aet)
When? July 30
Where? Croke Park
Why? Maybe it’s the stark difference between the drabness of this game’s first-half and the captivating show that followed but this stands out head and shoulders above any other championship game. By the end of it, these two fittest of the fit teams had punched themselves out with only Kevin Cassidy’s intervention separating them. Kildare were three points to the good in the second-half of extra-time but this Donegal team weren’t going to die. Of course, things might have been different had Tomas O’Connor not been denied a legitimate goal in normal time but for neutrals its awarding might have denied them an encounter that is possibly the closest we’ve seen in quality to the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final between Tyrone and Armagh.
2. What? All-Ireland SFC final: Dublin 1-12 Kerry 1-11
When? September 18th
Where? Croke Park
Why? Okay, it wasn’t a classic but the finale was thoroughly exciting. Stephen Cluxton’s winning free has been replayed and spoken about ad nauseam, Kevin McManamon’s goal to a slightly lesser extent. But we forget just how mighty Kieran Donaghy’s point from distance was to square the game in the final minute of normal time after Kerry had seen a four-point lead transform into a one-point deficit in just five minutes. For most, the jury’s still out on whether it was Dublin patience and superior fitness, as shown against Donegal, that won the day or an unprecedented collapse for this Kerry team. However, nobody is in dispute that the final stages were anything but gripping.
3. What? Munster SFC final: Kerry 1-15 Cork 1-12
When? July 3
Where? Croke Park
Why? A game of two halves, as they say, and a provincial decider that looked to be going the way of Kerry before the break before Cork found themselves. It didn’t turn out to be enough for the then reigning All-Ireland champions but it was intriguing to see how the Kingdom managed to keep their heads above water – largely due to the efforts of Declan O’Sullivan and Marc Ó Se – as Cork – led by Pearse O’Neill – came at them in waves. An honourable mention is also due to the Armagh-Down Ulster quarter-final.
Fintan O'Toole
1. What? All-Ireland Colleges SAFC final: St Colman's (Newry) 2-10 St Jarlath's (Tuam) 0-15
When? April 9
Where? Croke Park
Why? This spellbinding decider lived up to the exalted standards of Hogan Cup football. It was a gripping contest as St Colman's made the early running as they notched two goals in the opening quarter before St Jarlath's mounted an heroic comeback that nearly saw them plunder the honours. There were a plethora of excellent scores and stellar individual displays but the game was defined by the scoring shootout between Caolan Mooney for St Colman's and Shane Walsh for St Jarlath's. Rostrevor player Mooney, who has since moved to join AFL outfit Collingwood, struck 0-6 but he was outdone by Kilkerrin/Clonberne attacker Walsh who displayed extraordinary skill in his ability to convert frees off the ground with both feet.
2. What? All-Ireland MFC final: Tipperary 3-9 Dublin 1-14
When? September 18
Where? Croke Park
Why? Tipperary's stunning season in this grade ended in suitably dramatic style as Colman Kennedy's injury-time screamer to the net, at a time when a point seemed a safer option, propelled them to an unlikely victory. Dublin bossed this game for long stretches, inspired by the wonderful Ciaran Kilkenny who struck 0-6 and their impressive wing-back Jack McCaffrey. They lead 1-10 to 1-2 approaching the interval but a late first-half penalty by Michael Quinlivan handed Tipperary a lifeline. During an absorbing second-half, they stuck grimly to their task and the Premier outfit, inspired by Phillip Quirke, Kennedy and captain Liam McGrath strung together some fantastic scores to record a noteworthy triumph.
3. What? Munster Club SFC quarter-final: UCC 1-19 Monaleen 2-15
When? November 6
Where? Cloughduv
Why? Football games in November generally follow a pattern of dour and low-scoring affairs but this tie veered sharply off that script. The occasion benefited hugely from being switched to the more compact mid-Cork venue of Cloughduv from Páirc Uí Rinn in Cork city, and the crowd present were treated to an excellent spectacle. Limerick champions Monaleen, inspired by county senior pairing Barry Fitzpatrick and Paul Kinnerk, were on course for victory after corner-back Darren Burke scrambled home a dramatic 62nd minute goal yet UCC saved themselves when Jamie O'Sullivan launched over a magnificent free in the last attack of the game. Extra-time was decorated by former Limerick senior Muiris Gavin reeling in the years as he consistently raised white flags yet the clever ball retention skills of UCC proved pivotal in getting them past the line after over 80 minutes of pulsating acction.
Denis Hurley
1. What? Cork 2-14 Dublin 3-10 in the All-Ireland ladies football senior quarter-final
When? August 22
Where? St Brendan’s Park, Birr
Why? Great champions always have serious questions asked of them. Having been beaten at the same stage in 2010 by Tyrone, Cork’s era of dominance looked to be coming to a definitive end as Dublin led by six points with 16 minutes left. However inspired by the colossus that is Juliet Murphy, Cork scored seven unanswered points to win, before going on the following month to claim a sixth All-Ireland title in seven years.
2. What? Carrigaline 1-13 Grenagh 0-16 (aet) in the Cork county Premier IFC relegation play-off (replay)
When? October 8
Where? Blarney
Why? Relegation encounters are supposed to be tetchy affairs, usually ending 1-5 to 0-7 or somesuch, the goal coming from a defensive error. Any tension should be magnified in a replay, but this clash, while not always full of the best-quality football, was not short on entertainment. With 20 minutes left, Carrig led by six only, with with one left Grenagh were in front. Carrigaline pushed ahead again in extra time but again they were pegged back and a third meeting was required.
3. What? Cork 0-17 Kerry 1-13 in the opening round of Division 1 of the Allianz Football League
When? February 5
Where? Austin Stack Park, Tralee
When? We were denied a proper heavyweight Cork-Kerry clash in the 2011 championship as the game in Killarney proved to be a game of two halves and Mayo put the kibosh on a Croke Park meeting. The first-round league game, while missing some A-listers, was still a good contest though, late points from Donncha O’Connor and Daniel Goulding showing Cork’s newly-found backbone as they earned a one-point win.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/lAixBjup-pg/post.aspx
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