25th anniversary of 1991 Meath v Dublin four-game saga
This June marks the 25th anniversary of the epic Meath v Dublin four-game Leinster SFC duel at Croke Park.
In the history of the GAA the epic clash of Meath and Dublin 25 years ago in the summer of 1991 can rightly merit its place as one of Gaelic games outstanding moments.
What started on the June Bank Holiday of 1991 as a first round qualifying match concluded 34 days and four games later with a total attendance of 237,000 fans.
With three replays and with two that went to extra-time, the escalating tension surrounding the series captivated the country.
But there was a lot more to these matches than just a football game!
This was the first time that county sponsors were allowed;
RTE broadcast a live GAA match on a Saturday and after Italia ’90 the nation woke up to the power of the GAA.
The four games, a year after Ireland was captivated by Jack Charlton’s army and success of the national soccer team, had a significant positive impact for the GAA.
The increased popularity of Gaelic games and the success of this unique amateur sport in the years that followed can, in many ways, be attributed to this tremendous clash.
Meath v Dublin 1991 could indeed be regarded as the fixture that kick-started the popularity of the GAA in the modern era of commercial sport in Ireland.
The 25th anniversary will be marked by a double DVD only available to buy on www.dvdsales.ie
DVD 1 features an exclusive 75 minute documentary recalling the matches and the drama both on and off the pitch.
Interviews with managers Sean Boylan and Paddy Cullen, referee Tommy Howard plus star players including Liam Hayes, Bernard Flynn, Kevin Foley (Meath) and Tommy Carr, Vinny Murphy, Charlie Redmond, Jack Sheedy (Dublin).
DVD 2 features the third replay (fourth game) in full and as befits such an epic sage the game proves a classic.
SIDELINE only sell official GAA DVDs
See www.dvdsales for over 50 years of great GAA action and buy all the All-Ireland finals from the 1960s to 2015.