2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final

53°21′38.6″N 6°15′4.4″W

2009 All-Ireland Football Final
Event2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Kerry Cork
0-16
(16)		 1-09
(12)
Date20 September 2009
VenueCroke Park, Dublin
RefereeMarty Duffy (Sligo)
Attendance82,286[1]

The 2009 All-Ireland Football Final was the 122nd event of its kind. Played between Cork and Kerry on 20 September 2009 in Croke Park, Dublin, it was the last football match of the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Kerry won by a score of 0–16 to 1–09.[2][3][4][5][6] It was their 36th All-Ireland SFC title,[1][3][4][5][6] reaffirming their status as Gaelic football's most successful county.[7]

In playing for the winning team, Tadhg Kennelly became the first person to ever hold AFL Premiership and All-Ireland winning medals in the sports of Australian rules football and Gaelic football—he previously won the biggest prize in Australian rules with Sydney Swans in 2005.[3][4][5][8] Kennelly's former coach Paul Roos and some of his former Sydney teammates attended the game.[5][9] The game was also attended by international guests of the Global Irish Economic Forum which was taking place in Dublin on the same weekend.[10]

The game was televised nationally by RTÉ2, online by RTÉ.ie and internationally by RTÉ Radio 1, with match highlights being shown on The Sunday Game on RTÉ2 and RTÉ.ie that night.[11][12][13][14] RTÉ's coverage for the first time ever involved live pictures of its broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh's commentary as given to RTÉ Radio 1 during the match; he appeared on The Late Late Show to discuss this with Ryan Tubridy.[15][16]

History

The Irish Independent described Cork versus Kerry as "Gaelic football's busiest rivalry over the last two decades", and that going into the final it may be at its "most explosive", with eight sendings off during games between the teams in the past two years and 35 yellow cards since July 2008.[17] On the day of the final, the Sunday Independent's Ralph Riegel described it as "a rivalry that traces its roots back to the old cross-border cattle raids of the ancient Gaelic clans".[18] Both Martin Breheny in the Irish Independent and Colm O'Connor in the Irish Examiner noted that the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final would be the 19th meeting between the sides in the championship during the 2000s—with Breheny adding that their previous 19 meetings stretched back to 1982.[19][20]

It was Kerry's sixth consecutive All-Ireland Final.[21] It was also their eighth final of the decade, an all-time record.[22] By winning the final they achieved five All-Ireland Senior Football Championship titles during the 2000s, matching their own efforts in the 1930s and the 1980s.[23] Cork and Kerry previously met in the 2007 final,[24] with Kerry winning by a ten-point margin.[14]

Pre-match
Referee Marty Duffy, pictured during the 2013 National Football League final

Team selection

Cork named the same team that defeated Tyrone in the semi-final.[11] A doubt, however, remained over the fitness of Ray Carey who injured his shoulder during a training session.[11] Eight members of the 2007 final team featured.[11] Cork also announced they had renewed their sponsorship deal with O2 days before the final.[25][26] Going into the final, Cork had scored a goal in all of their fourteen Championship matches since 2007's qualifier game against Louth, also scoring eight goals in five matches against Kerry over a two-season period.[27][28] Anthony Lynch and Nicholas Murphy were the remaining players from the 1999 final loss to Meath.[29] Ray Carey was declared unfit on matchday and was replaced with Kieran O'Connor.[2]

Kerry's Colm Cooper was originally described as "very doubtful" for the final.[30] However, he, alongside Paul Galvin, were later declared fit,[12][31][32] with Kerry officials dismissing claims about Cooper's fitness as one of several "false stories" to have come out of the county in 2009.[33] Kieran Donaghy, who had recovered from a foot injury, was expected to appear amongst the substitutes.[12][30] Donaghy criticised the media for what he termed the "pandemonium" that was created surrounding Cooper throughout the campaign following a drinking session with Tomás Ó Sé which saw them both removed from the team for a time.[34] Tadhg Kennelly also had to deny he would rejoin the Sydney Swans in the AFL.[35] Kerry made one change from the semi-final line-up; Donnacha Walsh was replaced by Tommy Walsh.[13] Prior to the match, speculation surrounded Kennelly and Walsh over whether they would return to play in Australia if they won their first All-Ireland medals.[36] Kennelly later signed a two-year contract with Sydney Swans,[37] as did Walsh; who signed a two-year deal with St Kilda Football Club around 2 months after the All Ireland Final

Referee controversy

Marty Duffy of Sligo was appointed match referee for the final.[38][39] The decision led to comment from former managers of both counties involved in the final, Mick O'Dwyer who expressed his belief that the choice of referee was based on "politics" and Billy Morgan who thought that Pat McEnaney ought to have been appointed referee instead.[38][39][40] The GAA officially refused to offer a response to the two men.[41] Liam and Sam in the Irish Independent compared the "pre-emptive" criticism of the referee to a scenario where the referee were to question the manner in which one of the teams play the sport or express dismay that a better team should have qualified for the final instead.[42] Radio Kerry analyst and former referee Weeshie Fogarty expressed his dismay at the criticism of Duffy, commenting: "It's bad enough to referee big games in Croke Park and see your name being castigated in the papers and torn asunder the following week. But by God, when it happens before the game, that is a new trend to me".[43]

Match

First half

In the first minute, Kerry's Tadhg Kennelly struck the chin of Cork's Nicholas Murphy with his shoulder, escaping a caution in the process. Kennelly later admitted the challenge was premeditated, comparing himself to a "raging bull" in his autobiography.[44] One minute later Cork's Donnacha O'Connor scored the first point of the final. Kennelly opened Kerry's account with a score from forty yards in the third minute. The seventh and ninth minutes respectively saw points from Cork's Colm O'Neill and Paddy Kelly. A goal for Cork came in the tenth minute from Colm O'Neill, with Kerry's Colm Cooper responding two and three minutes later by winning two frees and scoring two points. Cork achieved a four-point lead 30 yards out. O'Connor sets up and makes it two from two for O'Connor to give Cork a four-point lead in the sixteenth minute when Donnacha O'Connor scored a free from 30 yards but Kerry's Tommy Walsh responded by scoring two further points three and four minutes later. Colm Cooper scored from another free in the twenty-third minute, with Kennelly and Paul Galvin both missing two chances to score soon after. Declan O'Sullivan, Cooper and Kennelly soon followed with three points. Cork responded with a point from Daniel Goulding but Kerry's Tomás Ó Sé scored another. The final actions of the first half were frees scored by Cooper and Goulding for Kerry and Cork respectively.

Second half

Kerry's Colm Cooper scored the opening point of the second half, with Cork's response consisting of several wides. Kerry captain Darren O'Sullivan then scored a dubious point which should not have been given as he bounced the ball twice before scoring. Kerry goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy then preserved his team's four-point lead in the forty-seventh minute by saving Daniel Goulding's effort on goal. Donnacha O'Connor scored a free two minutes later to give Cork their first point for some time. Tadhg Kennelly was substituted for Donnacha Walsh. Goulding scored two more frees for Cork but Tommy Walsh followed up by scoring two frees for Kerry. Tomás Ó Sé scored what proved to be the final point of the match in the fifty-eighth minute. The remainder of the match consisted of wides and substitutes.

Details
Cork1-09 – 0-16Kerry
D Goulding 0-4
C O'Neill 1-1
D O'Connor 0-3
P Kelly 0-1		 Report C Cooper 0-6
T Walsh 0-4
T Ó Sé 0-2
T Kennelly 0-2
Declan O'Sullivan 0-1
Darran O'Sullivan 0-1
Attendance: 82,286[1]
Cork
Kerry

Post-match

Trophy presentation

Following a pitch invasion by fans after the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final, the GAA confirmed that the presentation of the Sam Maguire Cup would take place in Croke Park's Hogan Stand.[45][46][47][48] The GAA insisted that it still remained worried about the health and safety of fans and expects an accident to happen "one of these days".[49] Kerry captain Darren O'Sullivan expressed his indifference about the location: "If they give [the cup] out in the car park around the back, I just want to get my hands on it".[50] During the presentation, Tadhg Kennelly did his dance which he previously did when he won the AFL Grand Final with the Sydney Swans in 2005.[3][4][5][6][51]

Reaction

Jack O'Connor claimed his team were influenced by the criticism which had come their way—"We were being written off – fellas like Spillane now were almost feeling pity for us. But that is where you get the energy from; you get it from enjoying each other's company and trying to build it up".[52]

Conor Counihan claimed his team lost because of missed opportunities to score—"'We were definitely at a stage out there where we had opportunities and had we taken them, well it might have been an entirely different story. There's no doubt we could have put more pressure on Kerry at a couple of crucial periods. We didn't take our chances, however, and that's what it all boils down to".[53]

Tadhg Kennelly confirmed that he was committed to the Kerry team and would not be returning to Sydney Swans for the following season—"My head is truly, truly set on Kerry. And my heart. That’s probably the main thing that has come out here".[54][55]

Seán Moran in The Irish Times commended Kerry for how they "rattled off" another title, noting the achievement was "all the more admirable for the quality of opposition with which they have had to contend" and that Jack O'Connor, on his decision to return as manager, was "rewarded with the ultimate vindication".[56]

Homecoming

One of the largest crowds to ever attend an All-Ireland homecoming collected in Rathmore, County Kerry on 21 September 2009 to wait for the team train to arrive.[57] With "The Best" playing in the background, Aidan O'Mahony and Tom O'Sullivan carried the Sam Maguire Cup to a stage which was erected in the town's train station and Tadhg Kennelly danced yet another jig of celebration as children queued to receive autographs.[57] Touring the county, a fireworks display was on offer in honour of the team in Killarney and the streets of Tralee were tightly packed with wellwishers.[57]

Cork departed Dublin at 16:00 on 21 September 2009 en route to Cork's Kent Station via Mallow.[57] Hundreds of people gathered at South Mall near Parnell Place to welcome the team, amongst them the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross.[57]

Awards

The nominations for the 2009 GAA All Stars Awards were announced on 25 September 2009. All but three of Kerry's winning team were nominated, with ten of Cork's team also being nominated.[58] Kerry's Tomas Ó Sé, Declan O'Sullivan and Colm Cooper were also nominated in 2008.[58] The nominees for Footballer of the Year were Paul Galvin and Tomás Ó Sé of Kerry and Graham Canty of Cork.[58] Cork's Colm O'Neill was nominated for Young Footballer of the Year alongside Mayo's Aidan O'Shea and eventual winner Donegal's Michael Murphy.[58]

References
  1. IAN O'RIORDAN at Croke Park (20 September 2009). "Kingdom comeback secures 36th title". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  2. "Cork 1-09 Kerry 0-16 - As It Happened". RTÉ. 20 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  3. Belinda Tasker (21 September 2009). "Kennelly enjoys 'emotional' Dublin win". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  4. "Kennelly enjoys 'emotional' win in Dublin". Australian Broadcasting Company. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  5. "Ireland victory may bring Tadhg Kennelly back to Sydney Swans". Herald Sun (Melbourne). 21 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  6. "Kennelly enjoys emotional win in Dublin". Brisbane Times. 21 September 2009. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  7. Dermot Crowe (20 September 2009). "Today can round off the decade with a true celebration of football". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  8. "Kennelly adds to family's medal haul". RTÉ. 20 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  9. Michael Cowley (14 September 2009). "Shaw lands lead role as Swans farewell old guard". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  10. Laura Slattery (1 September 2009). "Diaspora gathering details unveiled". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 September 2009. The programme also includes a reception hosted by President McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin, a dinner at Dublin Castle hosted by the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, and attendance at the All-Ireland football final at Croke Park. "That was a piece of opportunistic planning by yours truly in anticipation that Cork would reach the final," Mr Martin said.
  11. "Counihan names unchanged Cork side". RTÉ. 16 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  12. "Cooper and Galvin green light for final battle". RTÉ. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  13. "Kerry show one change for SFC final". RTÉ. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  14. "Cork v Kerry All-Ireland Final preview". RTÉ. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 September 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  15. "Cork v Kerry coverage on RTÉ.ie". RTÉ. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  16. "Friday, 18 September 2009". The Late Late Show. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  17. Liam and Sam (16 September 2009). "HQ prepares for explosive display". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  18. Ralph Riegel (20 September 2009). "Emotions run high ahead of showdown". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  19. Martin Breheny (17 September 2009). "Location key for Munster kingpins". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  20. Colm O'Connor (17 September 2009). "O'Sullivan: we'll have to play 'above our best'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  21. Ian O'Riordan (16 September 2009). "Kingdom back where they want to be". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 September 2009. O'Connor knows Kerry have crossed a few creaky bridges to get to their sixth All-Ireland final in a row: "Sure we're not worried about whether it was straightforward or not. We're there anyway."
  22. Seán Moran (16 September 2009). "Kerry always primed for September combat". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 September 2009. Furthermore, Kerry have never before contested eight finals in a decade. Of course, the qualifier system and the second chance it offers make that easier to achieve in that defeat in the province doesn't eliminate a team, but it also means that higher-quality opposition awaits in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
  23. Liam and Sam (14 September 2009). "Kerry on honour roll". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  24. Colm Keys (15 September 2009). "Counihan confident Rebels can turn page ofhistory against Kerry at HQ". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  25. "Cork agree new sponsorship deal". RTÉ. 17 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  26. Fintan O'Toole (17 September 2009). "O2 renew Cork GAA sponsorship deal". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  27. "Prolific Cork have an eye for goals". Irish Independent. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  28. Ian O'Riordan (16 September 2009). "Cork's goal average will give fans great heart". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  29. Seán Moran (16 September 2009). "Lynch has reason to believe". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 September 2009. TEN YEARS on and only Anthony Lynch and Nicholas Murphy remain of the team that reached an All-Ireland final and narrowly lost to Meath. Cork under Larry Tompkins had emerged suddenly enough that year, winning the league by beating Dublin in the final and going on two months later to dethrone a Kerry team in hot pursuit of a fourth successive Munster title. In those clear-cut days, you only had to see off Kerry once, a faraway world from this decade by the close of which the counties will have met at least 19 times in championship football.
  30. "Cooper doubtful for final". RTÉ. 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  31. Cliona Foley (15 September 2009). "Galvin and Cooper raring to go but 'twin towers' likely to miss out". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  32. "Cooper and Galvin fit for final". The Irish Times. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  33. "Cooper fit for Cork clash". Setanta Sports. 13 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  34. "Donaghy fury at Gooch treatment". Setanta Sports. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  35. "Kennelly laughs off AFL return rumour". Setanta Sports. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  36. DAMIAN LAWLOR and AENGUS FANNING (20 September 2009). "The plots thicken for titanic All-Ireland final day". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  37. "Kennelly signs two-year Sydney deal". RTÉ. 13 November 2009. Archived from the original on 16 November 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  38. "Managers question Duffy appointment". RTÉ. 16 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  39. "GAA silent over referee comments". RTÉ. 17 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  40. Donnchadh Boyle (16 September 2009). "Morgan and O'Dwyer feel nation's best ref not picked for showpiece". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  41. Colm Keys (17 September 2009). "Croker kick to touch after stinging referee remarks". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 22 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  42. Liam and Sam (17 September 2009). "Pre-emptive ref strike off the mark". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  43. "For ref's sake... Weeshie defends Final whistler". Evening Herald. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  44. "Kennelly admits challenge was premeditated". RTÉ. 18 October 2009. Archived from the original on 20 October 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  45. "Details of All-Ireland presentations revealed". RTÉ. 16 September 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  46. Brendan O'Brien (15 September 2009). "Croker set to abandon pitch presentation". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  47. Brendan O'Brien (17 September 2009). "Plan B becomes Plan A – for now". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  48. "Sam to be presented in Hogan Stand". The Irish Times. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  49. "Hogan Stand presentation for football final". RTÉ. 14 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  50. Tony Cuddihy (16 September 2009). "O'Sullivan unworried about ceremony". Setanta Sports. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  51. Travis Cranley (29 August 2009). "The Swan who came home to roots". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  52. "Criticism only spurred us on - O'Connor". RTÉ. 21 September 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  53. "Cork boss left to rue missed chances". RTÉ. 21 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009.
  54. "Kennelly to stick with Kerry". The Irish Times. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2009. And, having got his first taste of All-Ireland glory, it would appear the the [sic] 28-year-old is clearly hungry for more. "I am committing (to Kerry)," Kennelly said. "I've had a great time at Sydney. I haven't really thought about it at the moment but I will sit down and have a good think about it. "My head is truly, truly set on Kerry. And my heart. That's probably the main thing that has come out here."
  55. "Kennelly commits himself to Kerry". RTÉ. 22 September 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  56. SEÁN MORAN at Croke Park (21 September 2009). "Clinical Kerry close down all escape routes for Cork". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 September 2009. So Kerry rattled off a fifth All-Ireland this decade, making it one of the most successful eras in the county's history and all the more admirable for the quality of opposition with which they have had to contend. And Jack O'Connor's decision to take the risk of coming back has been rewarded with the ultimate vindication.
  57. ANNE LUCEY and OLIVIA KELLEHER (21 September 2009). "All-Ireland finalists welcomed home". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 September 2009. What is believed to be one of the biggest ever crowds to welcome home an All-Ireland team gathered in the village of Rathmore, yards inside the Kerry border with Cork and the first train station in the county last night. The first stop for the special Kerry team train shortly before 6 pm with their 36th title saw local heroes Tom O'Sullivan and Aidan O'Mahony jointly shoulder the Sam Maguire cup onto a special stage alongside the train station to deafening cheers and a sound track of "Simply the best." [...] Tadhg Kennelly's new career would be as solo dancer, he remarked as the former Sydney Swan's star danced a jig on stage. [...] The players were swamped by local children looking for autographs. Tralee saw thousands throng the streets, while Killarney held a fireworks display. [...] Meanwhile a dejected Cork squad took part in the traditional homecoming celebrations having taken the train from Dublin at 4pm arriving in Mallow at 6pm and on to Cork's Kent Station an hour later. [...] However, the Cork team were appreciative of the warm reception they received from die hard Rebel fans at Mallow station and in Cork city. The homecoming took place on a stage at Cork's South Mall at its junction with Parnell Place with in the region of 500 people in attendance. The homecoming was attended by amongst others Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin and Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr John Buckley.
  58. "2009 Football All-Star nominations". RTÉ. 25 September 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
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