IT’S NOT EVERY day that an 1/80 shot gets turned over by a massive outsider but when Antrim beat Wexford in the All-Ireland U21 hurling semi-final on Saturday evening, they did just that.
The Saffrons’ shock got us thinking about some other great underdog stories and wondering which was the biggest shock of all.
Here’s a list of seven more to get you started.
1. Hereford United 2-1 Newcastle United (1972)
Synopsis: Is this the most famous FA Cup fairytale story? After battling to a 2-2 draw in St James’ Park, non-league Hereford brought the Magpies back to Edgar Street for a mucky Saturday afternoon replay. Malcolm McDonald looked to have seen Newcastle through but after Ronnie Radford equalised, sparking a wild pitch invasion, Ricky George grabbed the winner in extra-time.
YouTube Credit: hammerfalljag
2.Munster 12-0 New Zealand (1978)
Synopsis: Every hog, dog and divil swears they were in Thomond Park for Munster’s finest hour but the official attendance says only 12,000 witnessed the magic. The defence held strong, Christy Cantillon scored the game’s only try, and Munster beat an All-Blacks side who had won every other game on their northern hemisphere tour to that point.
YouTube Credit: conorryan79
3. USA 4-3 USSR (1980)
Synopsis: Against the backdrop of the Cold War, America hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Ice hockey was the Russians’ game though and they came into the tournament having won gold at the last four games. Remarkably America’s collection of amateurs and college players beat the Soviet pro machine in the final, soundtracked by some inspirational commentary by Al Michaels.
YouTube Credit: buzbeto
4. Offaly 1-15 Kerry 0-17 (1982)
Synopsis: Kerry came into the 1982 All-Ireland football final looking to clinch an unprecedented five-in-a-row but after losing out to the Kingdom 12 months earlier, Offaly had other ideas. Mikey Sheehy missed a penalty but Kerry still led by two as the clock ticked towards stoppage time. Enter Seamus Darby to score one of the most famous goals in GAA history…
YouTube Credit: athbhriainabu11
5. Wimbledon 1-0 Liverpool (1988)
Synopsis: Wimbledon’s rise from English football’s bottom tier to the First Divison was remarkable in its own right but their crowning moment came in the 1988 FA Cup Final. A bunch of jokers who earned their infamous “Crazy Gang” nickname, they put champions Liverpool to the test and won a game decided by Lawrie Sanchez in the 37th minute.
YouTube Credit: gr8footy
6. James “Buster” Douglas def Mike Tyson (1990)
Synopsis: By the age of 23, Mike Tyson had already cemented his reputation as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He was a 1/50 shot to continue his winning streak against James “Buster” Douglas, a solid but unspectacular pro who worked hard to stand out from the division’s dross. Tyson knocked him down in the eighth round but remarkably, Douglas recovered and then delivered a massive shock with a 10th-round knockout.
YouTube Credit: sweetfights
7. New York Giants 17-14 New England Patriots (2008)
Synopsis: Chasing history as the first side ever to finish an NFL season with 19 wins and no defeats, the New England Patriots led 14-10 with just over five minutes to play in Super Bowl XLII. The New York Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning, had one drive and one last chance to stop them. When David Tyree made an incredible catch — since nicknamed everything from “Catch-42″ to “The E-mmaculate Connection” — the Giants’ name was on the trophy.
YouTube Credit: chanonthaiboxer
What is your favourite upset? If it’s not on the list, let us know in the comments below…
Poll Results:
– A version of this article first appeared here on TheScore.ie
