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13 of the greatest senior championship comebacks in GAA history

Here are some of the most famous revivals of all time.

WESTMEATH’S STUNNING REVIVAL to beat Meath at Croke Park on Sunday got us thinking about some other famous comebacks.

We’ve trawled through the archives to come up with 13 of the best….

1. Offaly v Limerick 1994

Offaly looked down and out in the 1994 All-Ireland senior hurling final and trailed by six points at half-time.

Limerick were still five points up with five minutes remaining but Offaly hit 2-5 to win the game with six points to spare.

GAA Archive / YouTube

2. Tipperary v Cork 1991

A double-whammy from Tipperary here, who were seven points behind with 15 minutes left in the drawn Munster final.

Down the home straight, Tipp outscored Cork by 1-6 to 0-2, earning a replay.

In the Semple Stadium rematch, Tipp were nine points down 14 minutes after half-time but recovered to win by 4-19 to 4-15.

premierview / YouTube

3. Mayo v Dublin 2006

Mayo trailed Dublin by seven points in the second half (0-10 to 2-11) before rallying to win an incredible All-Ireland senior football semi-final.

The winning score that silenced Hill 16 was an amazing left-footed point from Ciaran McDonald.

GAA Archive / YouTube

4. Wexford v Meath 2008

Wexford staged a remarkable second half comeback against Meath in the Leinster senior football quarter-final seven years ago.

Meath led by ten points at half-time and were still ten clear with 20 minutes left.

Goals from Redmond Barry and PJ Banville dragged Wexford back into contention and Matty Forde kicked the winning point as the Slaneysiders won by 2-14 to 2-13.

Mattie Forde Matty Forde scored the winning point for Wexford against Meath in 2008. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

5. Cork Ladies v Dublin 2014

Cork’s all-conquering ladies footballers have made a habit of big championship comebacks in recent years but their 2014 All-Ireland final victory over Dublin topped the lot.

Cork were ten points down with 15 minutes left but a sensational fightback, including goals from subs Rhona Ní Bhuachalla and Eimear Scally, reeled in Dublin. 

Geraldine O’Flynn kicked the winning point with two minutes left.

Geraldine OÕFlynn celebrates after kicking the winning point Geraldine O'Flynn celebrates her winning score. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

6. Limerick v Tipperary 1996

Tipp were cruising to victory in the 1996 Munster final, leading by ten points before Limerick turned up the heat.

The Shannonsiders, with current boss TJ Ryan in their ranks, worked their way back with a wind guiding them at the Gaelic Grounds.

Frankie Carroll shot the equalising point and Limerick won the replay.

LovelyHurling Ire / YouTube

6. Limerick v Waterford 2001

Within 20 minutes, this one looked all over as Waterford led by eleven points, 2-6 to 0-1.

Limerick were six down at the break but still managed to win by three to set up a final wit Tipp.

Brian Begley scored two goals, with Ollie Moran and James Butler also raising green flags for the Shannonsiders.

Conor Ryan / YouTube

7. Kilkenny v Galway 1997

An All-Ireland hurling quarter-final that will forever be remembered for a contribution of 2-8 from DJ Carey.

Kilkenny were blitzed in the opening half and trailed by 1-6 to 3-9 at half-time.

But with Carey calling the tune, the Cats came back to win as John Power also played a key role.

DJ Carey DJ Carey scored 2-8 against Galway in 1997. Patrick Bolger / INPHO Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO

8. Galway v Kilkenny 2014

Galway somehow came from ten points down in last year’s Leinster hurling championship clash with Kilkenny.

It was a game that had just about everything, including two sublime late efforts from Henry Shefflin and Joe Canning as the sides slugged it out to the death.

Eight goals, two penalties and that sensational Galway comeback. Fans at O’Connor Park in Tullamore couldn’t have asked for much more.

hockeyhurlingshinty5 / YouTube

9. Offaly v Kerry 1982

Entering the final five minutes, Kerry were on course for a fifth successive All-Ireland senior football title.

Matt Connor scored two points to revive the Offaly challenge before Seamus Darby scored one of the most famous goals in the history of the GAA.

DukeOfWellingtonIreland1815 / YouTube

10. Waterford v Cork 2004

In the circumstances, this Waterford comeback was one of the greatest of all time.

The Déise, trailing by two points at the time, went down to 14 men when John Mullane was sent off in the second half.

Paul Flynn’s cracker jack goal from a free kept them in touch and Justin McCarthy’s charges hung in for a classic win, which prompted this famous post-match response from Mullane:

mactoreality / YouTube

11. Offaly v Kilkenny 1985

Early in the second half, Offaly trailed Kilkenny by nine points in the 1985 Leinster senior hurling semi-final.

But the Faithful County fought back to draw, won the replay and went on to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

At half-time, Offay found themselves ten points adrift but after rallying to secure a second day out, they beat the Cats comfortably.

Pat Fleury 1985 Pat Fleury captained Offaly to All-Ireland hurling glory in 1985. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

12. Tyrone v Down 2003

Tyrone came from nine points down to salvage a replay against Down in the 2003 Ulster football final.

Down had that big lead early in the second half, hitting the Red Hands with two quickfire goals despite playing with 14 men.

But Tyrone came back to claim a draw and won convincingly when the sides met again, before going on to All-Ireland glory.

Bryansford Gael / YouTube

13. Roscommon v Sligo 1998

With 12 minutes left in the Connacht senior football semi-final, Sligo led by seven points.

But Roscommon weren’t done yet as they scored two stunning late goals to snatch a draw.

Fergal O’Donnell’s introduction proved crucial and the Rossies won the replay.

Fergal O'Donnell Former Roscommon ace Fergal O'Donnell. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

What big comebacks have we missed on? Leave your comments below…

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