Your unique memories of All-Ireland Final day 2002

pablo

pablo

Well-Known Member
ragingbull said:
I don't think there's been a bigger crowd on the Croke Park pitch than there was in 2002
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I know this is a biased opinion, but I don't think there was ever such an outpouring of emotion on the Croke Park turf or indeed any other stadium. I viewed this again earlier in the lockdown. Watching and Remembering the sheer joy that filled that field never fails to bring a tear to the eye. Even apart from an Armagh point of view-this was one of the great, great moments of Irish sport.
A few weeks earlier, Kilkenny won the Hurling final. No pitch invasion. Team did a lap of honour with 'Congratulations' by Cliff Richard blaring out from the PA. Sheer naffness
 
PatMustard

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
The pitch invasion and trophy presentation passed in a bit of a blur for me.

What I do remember was those few seconds when we cut out a Kerry attack, and the ball landed in McGeeney’s hands.

I could barely watch. I’d no idea how long was left, but I heard a whistle... the players seemed to stop, arms starting going up, jumping/cheering started... all that probably happened in half a second.

I remember rising from my seat, saying ‘is that the whistle?’... because I thought there could be 2 or 3 minutes still left... and realising in that instance... we’ve done it... we’ve won the All Ireland!!!!

That moment will stay with me the rest of my days. Even typing it out still gives me goosebumps.
 
Rufus T Firefly

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
I headed down with my brother-in-law. We wanted to get down really early and were parked up and dandering around from 10 am. I met John Maughan on the Drumcondra Road and stopped briefly for a chat. I asked him could we do it and he said 'definitely!'

Our seats were Lower Cusack, half way back on the lower tier and close to half way - perfect. I was sat behind Karl O'Dwyer, Micko's son, who was playing for Kildare back then. Talked briefly to him and he was very quiet, reserved fella.

I remember feeling despondent at half time, in light of the penalty miss. I remember Mickey Ned O'Sullivan stating after the game that if Armagh had scored that penalty, then Kerry would have won the All Ireland. I have sympathy for that view.

I remember getting out of my seat as we spurned a goal chance into the Hill goal, so when Oisin was put through, I sat in my seat, as I had this irrational thought that getting up in anticipation of a goal might scud him. I saw the net bulging between the two supporters stood in from of me and suddenly it was match on. When we took the lead for the first time, I remember thinking, Holy Fook, we could do this!! The last fifteen minutes were excruciating and I remember Kerry had an opportunity that just went wide of the post. I was at right angles to the general trajectory of the shot, so I could hardly breathe as the umpire stepped up and waved wide!

At the final whislte, the first person to congratulate me, with a huge grin, was Karl O'Dwyer! I remember it took an age to get down on to the pitch and I remember jumping up and down aimlessly like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh!! I remember little of the presentation and I remember being one of the very last to leave, via the steps of the Hogan.

I met Brian McAlinden going out and I told him an awful lot of what had happened was down to him and thanked him! I also remember out on Jones Road, Pat Spillane came along and the Armagh fans gathered around him to tease him and then one or two started hitting him over the head in jest with their rolled up programmes. He did not see the funny side of it and soon was retracing his steps with a Garda escort.

The journey home was very long and very wonderful. Stopping off in Dunshauglin for a pint and everyone congratulating us, hanging out the car window in Navan with the flag as we crossed the river and hearing shouts of congratulations from the locals.

I'd always envisaged going on the mother of all sessions if and when this event ever happened. However getting home after 9 pm, I got into the car and toured the town, calling into the pubs simply to sample the atmosphere everywhere.

I had all of that week booked off, but that is another story. I remember speaking to ones in work who were envious and I recall saying that the following week was as if it was Christmas, but only in Armagh. That's the best way I could describe the feeling.

Unbelievable memories! :)
 
A

Androim

Active Member
Rufus T Firefly said:
I headed down with my brother-in-law. We wanted to get down really early and were parked up and dandering around from 10 am. I met John Maughan on the Drumcondra Road and stopped briefly for a chat. I asked him could we do it and he said 'definitely!'

Our seats were Lower Cusack, half way back on the lower tier and close to half way - perfect. I was sat behind Karl O'Dwyer, Micko's son, who was playing for Kildare back then. Talked briefly to him and he was very quiet, reserved fella.

I remember feeling despondent at half time, in light of the penalty miss. I remember Mickey Ned O'Sullivan stating after the game that if Armagh had scored that penalty, then Kerry would have won the All Ireland. I have sympathy for that view.

I remember getting out of my seat as we spurned a goal chance into the Hill goal, so when Oisin was put through, I sat in my seat, as I had this irrational thought that getting up in anticipation of a goal might scud him. I saw the net bulging between the two supporters stood in from of me and suddenly it was match on. When we took the lead for the first time, I remember thinking, Holy Fook, we could do this!! The last fifteen minutes were excruciating and I remember Kerry had an opportunity that just went wide of the post. I was at right angles to the general trajectory of the shot, so I could hardly breathe as the umpire stepped up and waved wide!

At the final whislte, the first person to congratulate me, with a huge grin, was Karl O'Dwyer! I remember it took an age to get down on to the pitch and I remember jumping up and down aimlessly like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh!! I remember little of the presentation and I remember being one of the very last to leave, via the steps of the Hogan.

I met Brian McAlinden going out and I told him an awful lot of what had happened was down to him and thanked him! I also remember out on Jones Road, Pat Spillane came along and the Armagh fans gathered around him to tease him and then one or two started hitting him over the head in jest with their rolled up programmes. He did not see the funny side of it and soon was retracing his steps with a Garda escort.

The journey home was very long and very wonderful. Stopping off in Dunshauglin for a pint and everyone congratulating us, hanging out the car window in Navan with the flag as we crossed the river and hearing shouts of congratulations from the locals.

I'd always envisaged going on the mother of all sessions if and when this event ever happened. However getting home after 9 pm, I got into the car and toured the town, calling into the pubs simply to sample the atmosphere everywhere.

I had all of that week booked off, but that is another story. I remember speaking to ones in work who were envious and I recall saying that the following week was as if it was Christmas, but only in Armagh. That's the best way I could describe the feeling.

Unbelievable memories! :)
Click to expand...
Wonderful recollection!
 
PatMustard

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
Big Gerry caught on the big screen with his big orange and white headband round his big neck.

Big cheer goes up.
 
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