September 22, 1974, Croke Park

The 1974 All Ireland final was a watershed in the history of the modern GAA. Not only was it Dublin's first title since 1963, but it also introduced a new element into the equation: Heffo's Army. Of course Dublin had always attracted a large following, same as any other county, when successful, but the Hill in 1974 was seen as something different. And not necessarily something good. For some observers it was regarded as the introduction into the GAA of the sort of element associated with English soccer, now being beamed into tens of thousands of homes by the aerials that bristled along the Dublin skyline. Indeed on the day after Dublin's victory over Galway one newspaper even referred to the "alien atmosphere" that had pervaded the hallowed sod as the Dubs celebrated.

It is true that some Dublin supporters, unforgivably, sang You'll Never Walk Alone, as the Sam Maguire was being presented to Sean Doherty. Doherty was smiling. Not least perhaps at the irony that up until two months previously the Dublin footballers had had little or no company on their perambulations. As Bob Hyland of the Irish Independent wrote, it would have been preferable had they sung Molly Malone! Mind you it did not take long for the younger Dublin supporters to be indoctrinated into the old ways and songs and not long before thousands of them were togging out with their local clubs. Indeed it would be little exaggeration to say that Heffo's Army saved the GAA in the capital city.

As for the match. It was the culmination of a remarkable season which had seen Dublin rise to the dizzying heights from the obscurity of Division Two. In 1973 Dublin, with nine of the 1974 final line-up, had exited the Leinster championship at the hands of Louth. No-one gave them a chance in 1974 although one Kerry sub who watched them beat Wexford in Croke Park prior to the National League final replay between Kerry and Roscommon claims to have predicted that Dublin would win the All Ireland and advised people to bet accordingly. Had they taken his advice they must have been given long odds. 50/1 would not have been an over generous offer from the bookmakers.

In Leinster, having accounted for Wexford and Louth, Dublin beat Offaly in the quarter-final with a last minute point kicked by Leslie Deegan of St. Vincent's. This was the first occasion when the country began to sit up and take notice. Offaly had won the previous three Leinster titles and the All Ireland in 1971 and 1972 and were a formidable outfit. Any team that defeated them was a serious contender. Dublin franked that impression with a comprehensive victory over Kildare in the semi-final and had five points to spare over Meath in the Leinster final despite squandering a number of chances. They then went on to demolish the reigning All Ireland champions Cork in the semi-final.

Having accounted for the previous three champions, Dublin now had to overcome Galway who were appearing in their third final in four years, having been defeated by Cork in 1973 and Offaly in 1971. With players like Johnny Tobin and Liam Sammon in the forwards and the legendary Tommy Joe Gilmore in defence, Galway were still considered to have that extra bit of class that would overcome the audacity of the Dubs. The bookies, however, were unable to make up their minds and both teams were available at even money the night before with 8/1 the draw.

The pundits were likewise divided. John D. Hickey of the Irish Independent thought that Galway would have too much experience and skill for the tyros. "An All Ireland winning team does not mushroom from obscurity in a year, never mind a few months" he wrote on the eve of the match. Bob Hyland of the same paper went for the Dubs while Con Houlihan of the Evening Press marginally favoured Galway. He adjudged it to be " - the most fascinating final" since Down had met Kerry in 1960.

Nor could former players come to a consensus. Brian McEniff of Donegal thought Galway would win by four points. Mick O'Connell believed that Dublin's fielding and determination would win the day. The great Lar Foley naturally thought that Dublin would win, again due to their appetite, but Sean Purcell, one half of the Galway "terrible twins" declared that he had not been impressed at all by Dublin's victory over Cork. Indeed the narrow verdict was that Dublin would be lucky to play as well again and that even if they did it might still not be sufficient.

While the city was in the grip of a fever not all those involved in the Capital's sporting life were prepared to stand back in admiration. While most League of Ireland soccer fixtures were rearranged to avoid a clash with the big event, Bohemians obstinately decided to go ahead with their fixture against Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park. Due to start at 4 o' clock. There were almost as many people on the pitch and in the dug-outs as in the crowd. One of the bemused spectators was Glascow Celtic manager Jock Stein who when asked why he was there declared, "We came to see the All Ireland final but couldn't get tickets"!

Those wishing to distract themselves the night before the game had a choice of entertainment. You could see The Sting or The Exorcist at the Adelphi, Doctor Zhivago was still showing as well or if you felt like a walk on the wild side there was Sex in the Grass at the seedy Curzon. The trendy Zhivago night club meanwhile was hosting an eve of the final event at which urban sophisticate and callow rustic could meet over a bottle of warm German wine.

With the aid of a strongish breeze into Hill 16, Galway started well. Jimmy Duggan scored the first point after two minutes and it took over ten minutes before Dublin equalised with a point from David Hickey. A Jimmy Keaveney free put them ahead two minutes later. The exchanges were tight and robust and the Dublin defence were doing well. They might also have had two goals but chances were spurned by John McCarthy and Bobby Doyle. Then on 31 minutes Michael Rooney got onto the end of a speculative ball from Liam Sammon out near the end line to score the only goal of the game which stood despite Dublin appeals that Rooney had been in the square. Anton O'Toole levelled matters with a point but it was Galway who finished the half better with two points from Tommy Naughton, and another from Rooney to leave them 1 - 4 to 0 -5 ahead at the break. The final score, coming just on the whistle, was a fisted effort from Mullins.

1974 was the last of the 80 minute finals and it is possible that Dublin's superior fitness told as Galway seemed to fade dramatically in the final quarter. Keaveney had narrowed the gap to just one and Dublin seemed to have been denied a legitimate penalty when Anton O'Toole was up-ended in the large square. Instead, after 12 minutes Galway were awarded a spot kick after Liam Sammon was brought down. It was possibly the turning point as Sammon's shot to Cullen's left, and a few feet off the ground, was put out for a '50' which Galway also failed to convert.

Dublin's tails were up and they scored the next three points; a Keaveney free, a Keaveney point from play and a fisted effort from McCarthy, to go two clear. The Hill was in full voice and already making its way onto the pitch for the party. Galway rallied, however, with a free from Johnny Tobin, who was held scoreless from play, and a '50' by Johnny Hughes. The sides were level at 1 - 6 to 0 - 9 but Galway failed to score again as Dublin laid virtual siege to the Hill goal for the last quarter of an hour, sending over points from Keaveney, Hickey, Keaveney again twice and finally Mullins to win by five.

The efforts to stem the blue tide were given up. Patsy Devlin blew his whistle and high-tailed it. Croke Park was covered in a sea of swaying singing men and boys in bad jumpers and sideburns. The Jacks were back.

On the following evening the civic parade and reception, held in driving rain, had elements of farce. Such was the size and enthusiasm of the crowd that most of the team decided not to risk stepping onto the platform at the Mansion House. There were no speeches. Just Sam hoisted aloft and wild cheers. A pattern that was to be followed across the city and county through the Fall and Winter and into early Spring when schools and clubs and frosty fields erupted as the silver prize was brandished by one of our heroes. Heroes who lived down the road and played with our uncles. No longer chaps who lived in the coloured box in the corner of the living room on Saturday night.

Some were not at all impressed by the new found fervour. On the night of the celebration centre half-back Alan Larkin was dubious about Heffo's Army. "I wonder will they be with us if we start going down?" He need not have worried. A terrible beauty had been born.