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Down memory lane

12 classic memories from Dublin and Kerry's senior football championship rivalry

These two have served up some brilliant fare through the years.

1. THAT Maurice Fitzgerald point

Dublin and Kerry made two trips to Thurles in 2001 for the All-Ireland quarter-final and replay between the counties.

Dublin looked on course for victory at the first time of asking before Maurice Fitzgerald stepped forward with this magnificent equaliser:

Conyoudiggit25 / YouTube

2. Stephen Cluxton’s All-Ireland winner

With just seconds remaining in the 2011 All-Ireland final, Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton stood over a decisive free on the Cusack Stand side of Croke Park.

And the Parnell’s netminder nailed it to win Sam for the Sky Blues, prompting these delirious scenes on Hill 16:

macliamer / YouTube

3. It’s a knockout

In the 1975 All-Ireland final, Kerry’s Mickey Ned O’Sullivan embarked on a solo run and somehow avoided decapitation before he was finally knocked out cold.

Watch as O’Sullivan slaloms through a number of would-be tacklers before he’s finally double-teamed in a nasty-looking Dublin sandwich that put a halt to his gallop:

Ach gohairithe / YouTube

4. Kevin McManamon’s goal

With less than seven minutes remaining in the 2011 final, Dublin were four points down.

But the introduction of Kevin McManamon helped to turn the tide in their favour.

The supersub popped up with this memorable effort and within minutes, Dublin were champions:

VicMackey0 / YouTube

5. Colm Cooper’s stunner

Kerry conjured up a magnificent goal in the first half of the 2011 final.

Tomás Ó Sé instigated the move before Darran O’Sullivan cut a hole through the Dublin defence.

When Colm Cooper gained possession, he still had work to do but the finish was sublime.

VicMackey0 / YouTube

6. Mikey Sheehy’s lob

1978 All-Ireland final and Dublin goalkeeper Paddy Cullen finds himself backtracking furiously as Kerry forward Mikey Sheehy plants the ball to take a quick free.

What happened next prompted the late, great Con Houlihan to pen the immortal words: ‘Paddy dashed back to his goal like a woman who smells a cake burning.”

Alas, from Paddy’s perspective, it was too late as Sheehy’s brilliant lob ended up in the Canal End net.

Conyoudiggit25 / YouTube

7. 2009 All-Ireland quarter-final

Kerry were simply sensational in this game, with Colm Cooper netting after just 40 seconds.

By full-time, Cooper had 1-7 in the bag and Kerry had obliterated Dublin by 17 points.

Dublin boss Pat Gilroy labelled his players “startled earwigs” as they crumbled under the Kerry onslaught:

homerjkerry / YouTube

8. 1977 All-Ireland semi-final

This game is rated by many as the finest of all time.

Dublin were at the peak of their powers as they put their old rivals to the sword in the second half.

Kerry were three points clear at the break but David Hickey and sub Bernard Brogan senior netted crucial goals to swing it in Dublin’s favour:

Bryansford Gael / YouTube

9. 2013 All-Ireland semi-final

Dublin and Kerry rolled back the years with a classic semi-final shootout two years ago.

Late goals from that man McManamon and Eoghan O’Gara sealed victory for the Dubs, after Kerry had blitzed them with three majors inside the first 20 minutes.

Anthony Maher was sent off on a second yellow card following a high challenge on Stephen Cluxton.

watchingMACHAIRontheiplayer / YouTube

10. 2007 All-Ireland semi-final

Declan O’Sullivan’s classy first half goal ultimately separated the sides in the Croke Park semi-final.

And it was O’Sullivan who lifted Sam Maguire the following month as the Kingdom defeated Munster rivals Cork in the final.

GAA Archive / YouTube

11. Páidí’s memorable speech

The late, great Páidí Ó Sé always relished a battle with Dublin.

One of his sweetest wins was the 1985 All-Ireland final victory over the Sky Blues and Páidí delivered this speech ‘as gaeilge’ from the winners’ podium:

GAA Archive / YouTube

12. The Bomber

Having suffered defeat at the hands of Dublin in the semi-final a year previously, Kerry were in no mood for a repeat on the biggest day of all.

Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston fired a stunning hat-trick of goals to ensure swift and sweet revenge for the Kingdom:

Bryansford Gael / YouTube

Have we managed to cover the main highlights of a special rivalry here? What are your best memories? Leave your feedback in the comments section below…

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