Skip to content
Surf Wiki
Save to docs
sports

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

List of All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals

none

List of All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals

Summary

none

FieldValue
logo[[File:1928 Sam Maguire cup, GAA museum.jpg150pxThe original [[Sam Maguire Cup]], displayed in the [[Gaelic Athletic AssociationGAA]] museumalt=The Sam Maguire Cup]]
founded1887
regionIreland (GAA)
number of teams34 (qualifiers)
most successful teamKerry (39 titles)

The All-Ireland Men's Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is an annual series of games played in Ireland during the summer and early autumn, and organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Contested by the top male inter-county football teams in Ireland, the tournament has taken place every year since 1887, except in 1888 when the competition was not played due to a tour of the United States by would-be competitors.

The competition traditionally culminates on the third or fourth Sunday in September with the All-Ireland Men's Senior Football Championship Final. Since 2022 the final game played on the third Sunday of July. The winning team receives the Sam Maguire Cup.

Finals held before the GAA's acquisition of Croke Park in 1913 were played at various venues in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, and Tipperary; since then the final has been played at Croke Park in Dublin, except for the 1947 final which was played at the Polo Grounds in New York.

History

Teams from the southern province of Munster shared the early titles, with Limerick, Tipperary and Cork winning the first three finals. The first Championship featured club teams who represented their respective counties after their county championship. The 21 a-side final, played in Beech Hill, Donnybrook on 29 April 1888, was contested between Commercials of Limerick and Young Irelands of Louth, with Commercials winning by 1–4 to 0–3.

The second Championship was unfinished owing to the American Invasion Tour. The 1888 provincial championships had been completed (won by Tipperary, Kilkenny and Monaghan, with no Connacht teams entering) but after the Invasion Tour ended, the All-Ireland semi-final and final were not played. London reached the final four times in the early years of the competition (1900–03).

The 1903 Championship brought Kerry's first All-Ireland title. They went on to become the most successful football team in the history of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. As of 2025, the Kingdom have won the competition on 39 occasions, including two four-in-a-rows (1929–32 and 1978–81) and two three-in-a-rows (1939–41 and 1984–86). Galway were the first team from the western province of Connacht to win an All-Ireland title, in 1925, while Cavan were the first from the northern province of Ulster, in 1933.

Mayo]] fans at the [[2004 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final

The first half of the twentieth century brought the rise of several teams who won two or more All-Ireland titles during this period, such as Kildare, Mayo, Cavan, Wexford and Roscommon. Wexford won four consecutive titles between 1915 and 1918, while Kildare were the first winners of the Sam Maguire Cup in 1928. Cavan won five titles between 1933 and 1952, including in 1947 when the final was played in New York. None of these teams have won an All-Ireland title since, with only Kildare, Mayo and Roscommon reaching the final. Most notably, Mayo have appeared in eleven finals since winning their last title in 1951, losing them all (1989, 1996 after a replay, 1997, 2004, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2016 after a replay, 2017, 2020 and 2021); this is the longest unbroken sequence of losing finals in the history of the competition.

A record 90,556 attended the 1961 final between Down and Offaly. For 13 consecutive finals between 1974 and 1986, either Dublin or Kerry always contested the decider, with both playing against each other in six of them, and Offaly (in 1982) the only other team to win a title in that period. In the 1990s, a significant sea change took place, as the All-Ireland was claimed by an Ulster team in four consecutive years (1991–94). For the next 25 years Ulster produced more All-Ireland winning teams than any other province. The introduction of the qualifier system (commonly known as the "back door") in 2001 enabled Galway to reach and win that year's final despite losing to Roscommon in the Connacht semi-finals; a further six teams have since claimed the All-Ireland after coming through the qualifiers. Between 2011 and 2023 All Ireland champions won their Province. But in 2023 became a round robin system. ({Tyrone in 2005 and 2008, Kerry in 2006 and 2009, Cork in 2010} and Armagh in 2024 under a Round Robin system). The 2003 final between Tyrone and Armagh was the first to be contested by two teams from the same province.

The duration of certain championship matches increased from 60 to 80 minutes during the 1970s. They were settled at 70 minutes after five seasons of this in 1975. This applied only to the provincial finals, All-Ireland semi-finals and finals.

Finals

The following table sets out the winning team and beaten finalist of each All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final. The vast majority of finals were contested by the winning semi-finalists, although in certain cases in the early years a provincial championship had not been completed in time and the affected province nominated a team to participate in the All-Ireland semi-final. In some of these cases, the nominated team (e.g. Dublin in 1905) won its semi-final, but was then vanquished in their provincial championship, and their place in the All-Ireland final taken by another team from that province.

Key

All teams are based in Ireland, except for London and New York.

Results

YearDateWinnersRunners-upVenueAttendanceCounty (titles)ScoreCountyScoreWinning margin (points)
188729 April 1888Limerick (1)1–04Louth0–03Donnybrook7,000
1888
188920 OctoberTipperary (1)3–06Laois0–00Inchicore1,500
189026 June 1892Cork (1)2–04Wexford0–01Clonturk1,000
189128 February 1892Dublin (1)2–01Cork1–012,000
189226 March 1893Dublin (2)1–04Kerry0–035,0006
189324 June 1894Wexford (1)1–01Cork0–01Phoenix Park1,0005
189421 April 1895Dublin (3)0–05Cork1–02Thurles10,000
189515 March 1896Tipperary (2)0–04Meath0–03Jones' Road8,0001
18966 February 1898Limerick (2)1–05 (8)Dublin0–073,5001
18975 February 1899Dublin (4)2–06 (12)Cork0–024,00010
18988 April 1900Dublin (5)2–08 (14)Waterford0–04Tipperary1,00010
189910 February 1901Dublin (6)1–10 (13)Cork0–06Jones' Road2,0007
190026 October 1902Tipperary (3)3–07 (16)London0–022,00014
19012 August 1903Dublin (7)0–14London0–022,00012
190211 September 1904Dublin (8)2–8 (14)London0–04Cork10,00010
190312 November 1905Kerry (1)0–11London0–03Jones' Road10,0008
19041 July 1906Kerry (2)0–05Dublin0–02Cork10,0003
190516 June 1906Kildare (1)1–07 (10)Kerry0–05Thurles15,0005
190620 October 1907Dublin (9)0–05Cork0–04Geraldine Park, Athy8,0001
19075 July 1908Dublin (10)0–06Cork0–02Tipperary5,0004
19083 October 1909Dublin (11)1–10 (13)London0–04Jones' Road10,0009
19095 DecemberKerry (3)1–09 (12)Louth0–0616,0006
191013 NovemberLouth (1)W/OKerryScratchJones' Road
191114 January 1912Cork (2)6–06 (24)Antrim1–02 (5)Jones' Road11,00019
19123 NovemberLouth (2)1–07 (10)Antrim1–02 (5)13,0005
191314 DecemberKerry (4)2–02 (8)Wexford0–03Croke Park17,0005
191429 NovemberKerry (5)2–03 (9)Wexford0–06Croke Park20,0003
19157 NovemberWexford (2)2–04 (10)Kerry2–01 (7)Croke Park27,0003
191617 DecemberWexford (3)3–04 (13)Mayo1–02 (5)3,0008
19179 DecemberWexford (4)0–09Clare0–056,5004
191816 February 1919Wexford (5)0–05Tipperary0–0412,0001
191928 SeptemberKildare (2)2–05 (11)Galway0–0132,00010
192011 June 1922Tipperary (4)1–06 (9)Dublin1–02 (5)17,0004
192117 June 1923Dublin (12)1–09 (12)Mayo0–0216,00010
19227 October 1923Dublin (13)0–06Galway0–0411,7922
192328 September 1924Dublin (14)1–05 (8)Kerry1–03 (6)18,5002
192416 April 1925Kerry (6)0–04Dublin0–0328,8441
192510 January 1926Galway (1)3–02 (11)Cavan1–02 (5)6
192617 OctoberKerry (7)1–4 (7)Kildare0–4Croke Park35,5003
192725 SeptemberKildare (3)0–05Kerry0–03Croke Park36,5292
192830 SeptemberKildare (4)2–06 (12)Cavan2–05 (11)24,7001
192922 SeptemberKerry (8)1–08 (11)Kildare1–05 (8)43,8393
193028 SeptemberKerry (9)3–11 (20)Monaghan0–0233,28018
193127 SeptemberKerry (10)1–11 (14)Kildare0–0842,3506
193225 SeptemberKerry (11)2–07 (13)Mayo2–04 (10)25,8163
193324 SeptemberCavan (1)2–05 (11)Galway1–04 (7)45,1884
193423 SeptemberGalway (2)3–05 (14)Dublin1–09 (12)36,1432
193522 SeptemberCavan (2)3–06 (15)Kildare2–05 (11)50,3804
193627 SeptemberMayo (1)4–11 (23)Laois0–0550,16818
193717 OctoberKerry (12)4–04 (16)Cavan1–07 (10)Croke Park51,2346
193823 OctoberGalway (3)2–4 (10)Kerry0–747,8513
193924 SeptemberKerry (13)2–05 (11)Meath2–03 (9)Croke Park46,8282
194022 SeptemberKerry (14)0–07Galway1–03 (6)60,8211
19417 SeptemberKerry (15)1–08 (11)Galway0–0745,5124
194220 SeptemberDublin (15)1–10 (13)Galway1–08 (11)37,1052
194310 OctoberRoscommon (1)2–07 (13)Cavan2–02 (8)Croke Park47,1935
194424 SeptemberRoscommon (2)1–09 (12)Kerry2–04 (10)Croke Park79,2452
194523 SeptemberCork (3)2–05 (11)Cavan0–0767,3294
194627 OctoberKerry (16)2–08 (14)Roscommon0–10Croke Park65,6614
194714 SeptemberCavan (3)2–11 (17)Kerry2–07 (13)Polo Grounds, New York34,4914
194826 SeptemberCavan (4)4–05 (17)Mayo4–04 (16)Croke Park74,6451
194925 SeptemberMeath (1)1–10 (13)Cavan1–06 (9)79,4604
195024 SeptemberMayo (2)2–05 (11)Louth1–06 (9)76,1742
195123 SeptemberMayo (3)2–08 (14)Meath0–0978,2015
195212 OctoberCavan (5)0–09Meath0–05Croke Park62,5154
195327 SeptemberKerry (17)0–13Armagh1–06 (9)Croke Park86,1554
195426 SeptemberMeath (2)1–13 (16)Kerry1–07 (10)75,2766
195525 SeptemberKerry (18)0–12Dublin1–06 (9)87,1023
19567 OctoberGalway (4)2–13 (19)Cork3–07 (16)70,7723
195722 SeptemberLouth (3)1–09 (12)Cork1–07 (10)72,7322
195828 SeptemberDublin (16)2–12 (18)Derry1–09 (12)73,3716
195927 SeptemberKerry (19)3–07 (16)Galway1–04 (7)85,8979
196025 SeptemberDown (1)2–10 (16)Kerry0–0887,7688
196124 SeptemberDown (2)3–06 (15)Offaly2–08 (14)90,5561
196223 SeptemberKerry (20)1–12 (15)Roscommon1–06 (9)75,7716
196322 SeptemberDublin (17)1–09 (12)Galway0–1087,1062
196427 SeptemberGalway (5)0–15Kerry0–1076,4985
196526 SeptemberGalway (6)0–12Kerry0–0977,7353
196625 SeptemberGalway (7)1–10 (13)Meath0–0771,5696
196724 SeptemberMeath (3)1–09 (12)Cork0–0970,3433
196822 SeptemberDown (3)2–12 (18)Kerry1–13 (16)71,2942
196928 SeptemberKerry (21)0–10Offaly0–0767,8283
197027 SeptemberKerry (22)2–19 (25)Meath0–1871,7757
197126 SeptemberOffaly (1)1–14 (17)Galway2–08 (14)70,7893
197215 OctoberOffaly (2)1–19 (22)Kerry0–13Croke Park66,1369
197323 SeptemberCork (4)3–17 (26)Galway2–13 (19)Croke Park73,3087
197422 SeptemberDublin (18)0–14Galway1–06 (9)71,8985
197528 SeptemberKerry (23)2–12 (18)Dublin0–1166,3467
197626 SeptemberDublin (19)3–08 (17)Kerry0–1073,5887
197725 SeptemberDublin (20)5–12 (27)Armagh3–06 (15)66,54212
197824 SeptemberKerry (24)5–11 (26)Dublin0–0971,50317
197916 SeptemberKerry (25)3–13 (22)Dublin1–08 (11)72,18511
198021 SeptemberKerry (26)1–09 (12)Roscommon1–06 (9)63,8543
198120 SeptemberKerry (27)1–12 (15)Offaly0–0861,4897
198216 SeptemberOffaly (3)1–15 (18)Kerry0–1762,3091
198318 SeptemberDublin (21)1–10 (13)Galway1–08 (11)71,9882
198423 SeptemberKerry (28)0–14Dublin1–06 (9)68,3655
198522 SeptemberKerry (29)2–12 (18)Dublin2–08 (14)69,3894
198621 SeptemberKerry (30)2–15 (21)Tyrone1–10 (13)68,6288
198720 SeptemberMeath (4)1–14 (17)Cork0–1168,4316
19889 OctoberMeath (5)0–13Cork0–12Croke Park64,0691
198917 SeptemberCork (5)0–17Mayo1–11 (14)Croke Park65,5193
199016 SeptemberCork (6)0–11Meath0–0965,7232
199115 SeptemberDown (4)1–16 (19)Meath1–14 (17)64,5002
199220 SeptemberDonegal (1)0–18Dublin0–1464,5474
199319 SeptemberDerry (1)1–14 (17)Cork2–08 (14)64,5003
199418 SeptemberDown (5)1–12 (15)Dublin0–1358,6842
199517 SeptemberDublin (22)1–10 (13)Tyrone0–1265,0001
199629 SeptemberMeath (6)2–09 (15)Mayo1–11 (14)Croke Park65,8021
199728 SeptemberKerry (31)0–13Mayo1–07 (10)Croke Park65,6013
199827 SeptemberGalway (8)1–14 (17)Kildare1–10 (13)65,8864
199926 SeptemberMeath (7)1–11 (14)Cork1–08 (11)63,2763
20007 OctoberKerry (32)0–17Galway1–10 (13)Croke Park64,0944
200123 SeptemberGalway (9)0–17Meath0–08Croke Park70,8429
200222 SeptemberArmagh (1)1–12 (15)Kerry0–1479,5001
200328 SeptemberTyrone (1)0–12Armagh0–0979,3943
200426 SeptemberKerry (33)1–20 (23)Mayo2–09 (15)79,7498
200525 SeptemberTyrone (2)1–16 (19)Kerry2–10 (16)82,1123
200617 SeptemberKerry (34)4–15 (27)Mayo3–05 (14)82,28913
200716 SeptemberKerry (35)3–13 (22)Cork1–09 (12)82,12610
200821 SeptemberTyrone (3)1–15 (18)Kerry0–1482,2044
200920 SeptemberKerry (36)0–16Cork1–09 (12)82,2464
201019 SeptemberCork (7)0–16Down0–1581,6041
201118 SeptemberDublin (23)1–12 (15)Kerry1–11 (14)82,3001
201223 SeptemberDonegal (2)2–11 (17)Mayo0–1382,2694
201322 SeptemberDublin (24)2–12 (18)Mayo1–14 (17)82,2741
201421 SeptemberKerry (37)2–09 (15)Donegal0–1282,1843
201520 SeptemberDublin (25)0–12Kerry0–0982,2433
20161 OctoberDublin (26)1–15 (18)Mayo1–14 (17)Croke Park82,2491
201717 SeptemberDublin (27)1–17 (20)Mayo1–16 (19)Croke Park82,2431
20182 SeptemberDublin (28)2–17 (23)Tyrone1–14 (17)82,3006
201914 SeptemberDublin (29)1–18 (21)Kerry0–15Croke Park82,3006
202019 DecemberDublin (30)2–14 (20)Mayo0–15Croke Park05
202111 SeptemberTyrone (4)2–14 (20)Mayo0–1541,1505
202224 JulyKerry (38)0–20Galway0–1682,3004
202330 JulyDublin (31)1–15 (18)Kerry1–13 (16)82,3002
202428 JulyArmagh (2)1–11 (14)Galway0–1382,1641
202527 JulyKerry (39)1–26 (29)Donegal0–1982,10910

: Originally, a goal outweighed any number of points. In 1892, the value of a goal was set at five points; this was reduced to three points in 1896. : The 1894 replay was abandoned after Dublin walked off following some of their players being assaulted by Cork supporters. Cork led by two points at the time, but Dublin were awarded the championship as Cork were deemed to have been responsible for the abandonment. : The 1910 Final was scratched and Louth were awarded the championship after Kerry objected to the Great Southern and Western Railway not selling tickets to their fans at reduced rates and refused to travel to Dublin. : Kerry beat Cavan 1–7 to 2–3 in the semi-final, but after an objection by Cavan and counter-objection by Kerry, both sides were disqualified. Galway were declared champions but, following protests, a substitute competition between the four provincial finalists was organised, with Galway and Cavan proceeding to the final. : Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland. : Game was played at 50% capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland.

Results by team

TeamWinsFirst final wonLast final wonRunners-upLast final lostTotal final
appearancesKerryDublinGalwayCorkMeathCavanWexfordDownKildareTipperaryTyroneMayoOffalyLouthRoscommonDonegalLimerickArmaghDerryLondonAntrimLaoisWaterfordClareMonaghan
391903202524202363
311891202313199444
91925200115202424
71890201016200923
7194919999200116
5193319526194911
518931918319148
519601994120106
419051928519989
418891920119185
420032021320187
31936195115202118
319711982319816
319101957319505
219431944319805
219922012220254
21887189602
220022024320035
119931993119582
0519085
0219122
0219362
0118981
0119171
0119301

Man of the match

  • 1990 Shea Fahy
  • 1991: James McCartan Jnr
  • 1992: Manus Boyle
  • 1993: Johnny McGurk
  • 1994: Mickey Linden
  • 1995: Paul Curran
  • 1996 (draw): Liam McHale
  • 1996 (replay): Tommy Dowd
  • 1997: Maurice Fitzgerald
  • 1998: Michael Donnellan
  • 1999: Mark O'Reilly
  • 2000 (draw): Mike Frank Russell
  • 2000 (replay): Seamus Moynihan
  • 2001: Pádraic Joyce
  • 2002: Oisín McConville
  • 2003: Kevin Hughes
  • 2004: Colm Cooper
  • 2005: Owen Mulligan
  • 2006: Aidan O'Mahony
  • 2007: Colm Cooper
  • 2008: Seán Cavanagh
  • 2009: Tom O'Sullivan
  • 2010: Daniel Goulding
  • 2011: Kevin Nolan
  • 2012: Michael Murphy
  • 2013: Bernard Brogan Jnr
  • 2014: Paul Murphy
  • 2015: Brian Fenton
  • 2016 (draw): John Small
  • 2016 (replay): Mick Fitzsimons
  • 2017: James McCarthy
  • 2018: Jack McCaffrey
  • 2019 (draw): Jack McCaffrey
  • 2019 (replay): Ciarán Kilkenny
  • 2020: Con O'Callaghan
  • 2021: Darren McCurry
  • 2022: David Clifford
  • 2023: Paul Mannion
  • 2024: Oisín Conaty
  • 2025: Gavin White

References

References

  1. McGee, Eugene. (6 February 2006). "First signs that Mayo might be set to turn back the clock". Independent News & Media.
  2. Crowe, Dermot. (30 March 2025). "Marching on together". [[Sunday Independent (Ireland).
  3. Moran, Seán. (26 May 2013). "Donegal hoping to avoid being fifth All-Ireland champions in 20 years to fall at first hurdle in Ulster: Uneasy lies the head that wears the northern crown". Irish Times Trust.
  4. McNulty, Paul. (27 June 2016). "The Recipe For Qualifier Success - By The Managers Who've Actually Done It". Balls.ie.
  5. [[Martin Breheny. Breheny, Martin]]. "The Final Verdict: The Greatest of my Lifetime" in ''Martin Breheny's Greatest All-Ireland Finals''. ''[[Irish Independent]]''. 1 September 2018, p. 2.
  6. Moran, Seán. (11 September 2019). "Will time be on Dublin's side once more?". [[The Irish Times]].
  7. Corry, E., 2005. The GAA Book of Lists. Dublin. Hodder Headline Ireland. pp.371–412
  8. (8 January 2009). "The heroes of '92 - Where are they now?". [[Johnston Press]].
  9. Whyte, Barry J.. (15 September 2006). "Kerry v Mayo Classics: 1997 SFC final". [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]].
  10. (7 October 2000). "Kerry claim All-Ireland title". [[BBC]].
  11. (17 July 2007). "Twelve remain in football championship". Hogan Stand.
  12. Murray, Shane. (22 September 2002). "Armagh stun Kerry to claim first All-Ireland". [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]].
  13. (28 September 2003). "Tyrone are All-Ireland champions". [[BBC]].
  14. Breheny, Martin. (27 September 2004). "Croker rout as Kerry go heavy on Mayo". [[Independent News & Media]].
  15. (25 September 2005). "Tyrone are 2005 All-Ireland senior football champions". Hogan Stand.
  16. (17 September 2006). "Kerry 4-15 3-5 Mayo". BBC Sport.
  17. (16 September 2007). "2007 All-Ireland SFC final: Kerry trounce sad Cork". Hogan Stand.
  18. Murray, Shane. (21 September 2008). "Kerry 0-14 Tyrone 1-15 matchtracker". [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]].
  19. Tasker, Belinda. (21 September 2009). "Kennelly enjoys 'emotional' Dublin win". [[Fairfax Media]].
  20. Leen, Tony. (20 September 2010). "Rebels bring Sam home". [[Thomas Crosbie Holdings]].
  21. (18 September 2011). "Cluxton the hero as Dublin win All-Ireland". [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]].
  22. Duggan, Keith. (24 September 2012). "Sam heads for the hills as Donegal turn perceived football wisdom on its head". Irish Times Trust.
  23. (22 September 2013). "Dublin beat Mayo by a point in All-Ireland football final". [[BBC]].
  24. "Kerry's final resolve holds as errors undo Donegal".
  25. "Dublin grind down Kerry to win 25th All-Ireland".
  26. (1 October 2016). "Recap: read how Dublin won Croke Park nail-biter". [[RTÉ]].
  27. "3 in a row; Dublin narrowly beat Mayo in All-Ireland final".
  28. Barry, Brian. (2 September 2018). "Dublin 2-17 Tyrone 1-14: Dubs see off Tyrone in style". Sky Sports.
  29. "Five star! Dublin make All-Ireland history with replay win over Kerry".
  30. (19 December 2020). "All-Ireland football six-in-a-row completed as Dublin control finale to defeat Mayo". The 42.
  31. McGoldrick, Sean. (11 September 2021). "Tyrone claim fourth All-Ireland SFC title as Mayo curse their final luck again". [[Irish Independent]].
  32. (10 December 2013). "Mayo’s 'lost' All-Ireland". Mayo News.
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about List of All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report