The team of the decade hoists 'Sam' for the 36th time
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STELLA O'NEILL, Brian O'Neill and Jacquie McGloin at the All Ireland football final.
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RONAN MATTHEWS, Sean Minagh, Paul Stack and Gavan Connolly at the All Ireland football final at Mahony & Sons.
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ENJOYING the All Ireland football final: (L-R) Vince Foley, P.J. O'Donnell and Mike Kelly.
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KEITH ROCHE, Vinny Crowley, Gary Howe, Peter Agnew, Jerry McCarthy and Sean Twomey at the All Ireland Football final.
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THE O'SULLIVAN CLAN supporting Kerry at the All Ireland football final: (L-R) Mona O'Sullivan, Tom O'Sullivan and Charlie O'Sullivan.
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LOCAL SUPPORTER Jimmy Speiron (second from the left) enjoyed the All Ireland Football final along with his visiting relatives from Ireland (L-R) Stephen Chawke, Maire Speiron and Gerard Speiron.
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A TRIUMPHANT John O'Flynn celebrates Kerry's win following the All Ireland football final.
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By JOHN O'FLYNN
Nearly an hour before the 7:30 AM kick off of the All Ireland Gaelic Football Final on September 20, a dozen locals were knocking on the doors of Mahony & Sons, looking for early access and good seats.
Another 100 fans would soon follow through the doors to watch a highly anticipated match between two fierce rivals, Cork and Kerry.
Though a sea of "Cork Red" was notable around the establishment, a few green and gold jerseys of Kerry were hunkered about in modest positions. There was no doubt that two fine counties of Munster were vying for the precious Sam Maguire trophy in this, the GAA's 125th anniversary year.
Mark Armstrong (Aghabullogue, Cork) opined that "Cork will do the business" with Derry's Andy Clerkin adding that it was "Cork all the way!" Kerry's Billy Quinlan ventured that "…the last five minutes will see Kerry shading Cork with a win."
There was some added interest for the outnumbered Kerry supporters in meeting up with Louise O'Sullivan, sister of Kerry forward Declan O'Sullivan.
Louise was in Vancouver on her honeymoon with husband John and her presence brought a lift to the proceedings. She was also the lucky winner of The Celtic Connection's Canadian GAA history book giveaway contest from September's issue.
It is always a special moment in Vancouver at any of the live All Ireland final matches that have been broadcasted over the years. When all stand to sing the Irish national anthem Amhran na bhFiann (The Soldiers' Song) in concert with over 82,246 fans at Croke Park, Dublin, it is the exhortations and bellows for one's "county" that punctuate the ending of the anthem each time that sends a thrill throughout the crowd.
The start of the match saw Cork driving strong and tenaciously with convincing play over the first 10 minutes. With Cork up by five points it seemed that the Kerry fans were already making mental notes about the nearby exits in the pub.
But steady play and methodical football saw Kerry come back to take a narrow two point lead at half-time (0-11 to 1-6). The second half seemed to be Cork's day for wides and Kerry's time for tactical defensive measures.
Mahony & Sons' patrons could see there was little hope being created by the Cork team as they came up short in stopping the Kingdom of Kerry from winning their 36th championship (Kerry 0-16 to Cork 1-9).
Though some Cork supporters were visibly disappointed there was fair recognition by all that a good standard of football had been displayed by both teams.
The statement that the team of the decade is now squarely on Kerry's mantle with six All Ireland Final appearances in a row continues to be questioned by Tyrone supporters saying - "Give us a call to discuss it when Kerry beats Tyrone one day!"
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