2000 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final

Match 1

Summary

Kerry played Galway on Sunday (24 September 2000) in Croke Park, Dublin in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title. The two teams had previously played against one another in Croke Park in an All-Ireland Final in 1965 where Galway won, the 2000 final ended in a draw. Galway trailed for most of the game and it wasn't until three minutes from the end that they levelled the game after working tirelessly throughout to reduce the deficit. At one point Galway were behind Kerry by seven points in the first half of the game. The final score was 0–14 points each. It was the first time since the 1992 All-Ireland Final that both sides failed to score a goal.

Pádraic Joyce brought the sides level with four minutes remaining.

The referee played 40 seconds of additional time.

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Match 2

Summary

The replay of the 2000 All-Ireland Senior Football Final took place in Croke Park on Saturday, 7 October at 4:00pm. It was the first time since 1996 that the decider went to a replay. It wasn't the disjointed game of the 24th, that was replayed on the hallowed turf of Croke Park amidst the chants and jeers of the 64,000 strong crowd, rather a close, man-marked, point-for-point contest, that the pundits had predicted preceding the first game. The first half was a paradox of brilliant football and wide shooting. Declan Meehan broke through Kerry's defense, in the 6th minute, to score one of the best goals of the championship. Galway's one point lead boded ominous for Kerry but they rallied and began to pick their points amidst a shower of wides. The most definitive injury of the half was that of Kevin Walsh who had to be replaced by Joe Bergin. Kerry began to exert dominance in the middle of the field especially after Maurice Fitzgerald replaced Noel Kennelly in the 27th minute and played as a third midfielder. As the team broke for half-time the score was 0–09 to 1–04 in favour of Kerry. A light drizzle fell in the second half. Fitzgerald settled into his position with the professional role familiar to all from the 97 season. Kevin Walsh was re-introduced for mid-fielder Sean O'Domhnaill to combat Fitzgearld's influence but he never played as dominant a part in the game as he had prior to his earlier injury and indeed the drawn game. The deteriorating pitch surface took its toll as players began to slip and slide along the Cusack sideline but with minutes left to play Kerry had opened their lead to 4 points and it stayed that way at the end.

Aodán Mac Gearailt fisted the insurance point over the bar in the 2000 replay.

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References

References

1. Irish Independent 1905-current, Monday, September 25, 2000; Page: 31
2. Breheny, Martin. (6 October 2000). "Sunday 'not a fun day'". Independent News & Media.
3. Kenny, Tom. (14 April 2011). "The men who first brought Sam to Galway". [[Galway Advertiser]].
4. (7 October 2000). "Kerry claim All-Ireland title". BBC Sport.
5. Milton, Alan. (26 September 2000). "Drawn final was not even half a match". Independent News & Media.
6. Keys, Colm. (13 September 2019). "Scoring the equaliser proves great leveller". [[Independent News & Media]].
7. Moran, Seán. (11 September 2019). "Will time be on Dublin's side once more?". [[The Irish Times]].
8. (7 October 2000). "Kerry claim All-Ireland title". BBC Sport.
9. (7 October 2000). "Kerry triumph in fruitless replay". Irish Times.
10. Fogarty, John. (12 September 2019). "Replay readings suggest this will be tight, with a busy referee". [[Irish Examiner]].