Gaelic Football’s Golden Age?

By Declan Bogue

BACK in 2010, TeamTalkmag.com, the website that reports everything in Tyrone GAA circles, sat down with the blonde bombshell that is John Lynch for a look back on his career. 

It turns out he has had quite the journey. With an athletics background, he made his debut in 1980 and decided to pull the curtain down on his county career during the winter break of 1994. 

But it was in that odd, glorious summer of 1986 that he will be forever known. A peroxide blonde figure at corner-back, on the balls of his feet looking to spring into action in the All-Ireland final against Kerry and his excellent marking job on Mikey Sheehy. 

Recalling many years later, he said, "Art kept us well focused in terms of the Media and the people on the streets. Again, we felt confident going into the final. We had Kerry in our sights and thought that we had every blade of grass covered. 

"The only thing that we had not reckoned on was that we would be so far ahead and that maybe was our downfall for what happened that day."

And that is the single most thing that nobody has considered about this final. What if it all goes well - too well indeed - for Tyrone?

The chances of that are slim enough with the amount of strategising that goes into these games. We saw it with Limerick last weekend. At the of the All-Ireland final the following happened; Cian Lynch splintered David Burke's stick. Aaron Gillane topped a shot that went wide. Joe Canning sent one wide for Galway. Tom Morrissey again regained the lead in the wide count for Limerick. 

And still, we weren't out of the first minute yet. 

Limerick threw everything at Galway from that point on. Manager John Kiely warned that the champions would have their purple patch and to prepare yourself for it, but after a storming 'Championship Quarter', Limerick had put themselves too far in front. 

In 1986, Tyrone were six points clear of Kerry with Paudge Quinn's goal 45 seconds into the second half. Soon after, they were awarded a penalty. Kevin McCabe put it over, rather than under the bar. 

Seven points up was like the sirens going off for Kerry. They had 2-2 gathered up in ten minutes and eight points to spare by the finish.

You can prepare for every eventuality but the surreal. On that note, a gentle reminder that 68,628 attended that year's All-Ireland final, which was down roughly 1,000 from the previous year's final between Kerry and Dublin. 

If you wanted a ticket, there was no mad scramble. You could simply turn up on the day and pay beneath face value from the GAA offices. And some say that demand for Gaelic football is in decline?

The Tyrone and Dublin teams that prepare for this All-Ireland final are simply on another planet from their counterparts of the mid-80s. 

Back then, the Tyrone team themselves had to get their hands dirty to do some fundraising for the county team funds. Having said that it wasn't that long ago that prominent Kilkenny hurlers had to sprint around Gowran Park in an effort to get some coppers gathered up. 

You only had to observe the scene on Monday morning at the Tyrone pre All-Ireland final press event for it to smack you in the face. This is where Tyrone train and have their choice of five full-sized grass pitches, two artificial ones and a ball wall. It is surroundings fit for the finest of elite athletes. 

And although they are remaining tight-lipped, a pre final weekend away would be inevitable to assist in their preparations. Their usual venue is Carton House but it could be any of there, Ashbourne House or Dunboyle Castle. The word on Dublin is that they spent last weekend in Doonbeg Lodge. 

This is the level of luxury that Gaelic footballers and  hurlers have become accustomed to. Five-star resorts and elite facilities. All funded by a group of volunteers interested in the betterment of Gaelic Games in their county. 

On Saturday, Tyrone are hosting a final meet-and-greet with their players at St Ciaran's College in Ballygawley. The event is sure to be stuffed. 

This is the top end of Gaelic games, this is what it looks like. A county that 32 years ago had no chance of filling a much-reduced Croke Park, to one that could make a good attempt along with Dublin of selling out the 82,000 capacity twice over. 

What does that say about the spread of Gaelic games? 

32 years ago, going to the football was all men with creaking hips. Now, it is a family affair with women and children front and centre. 

There are many pointing out everything they think is wrong with Gaelic games. But for popularity, team preparation and demand, there is no comparison with anything in this country. 

This here, is the Golden Age, people.