Countdown to All-Ireland SFC Final

It started on May 6 with the Connacht quarter-finals and 66 games later, the GAA football senior All-Ireland championship is down to the last two. It’s Dublin v Tyrone in Croke Park on Sunday (3.30), a game that will be preceded by the minor final between Galway and Kerry (1.0). Fittingly for All-Ireland final day, all four provinces will be represented.

Dublin are seeking their 28th senior title and are also bidding to become only the fourth to side to win the All-Ireland four-in-a-row. It was previously achieved by Wexford in 1915-18, Kerry in 1929-32 and 1978-81.

Tyrone, who last won the title in 2008, are bidding for their fourth title. If they win, they will become the first team to be crowned All-Ireland champions, despite having lost two games (to Monaghan in the Ulster quarter-final and to Dublin in Phase 2 of the All-Ireland quarter-final).

PATHS TO THE FINAL

DUBLIN

Dublin 4-25 Wicklow 1-11 (Leinster quarter-final)

Dublin 2-25 Longford 0-12 (Leinster semi-final)

Dublin 1-25 Laois 0-10 (Leinster final)

Dublin 2-15 Donegal 0-16 (All-Ireland quarter-final – Phase 1)

Dublin 1-14 Tyrone 0-14 ((All-Ireland quarter-final – Phase 2)

Dublin 4-24 Roscommon 2-16 (All-Ireland quarter-final – Phase 3)

Dublin 1-24 Galway 2-12 (All-Ireland semi-final)

TOP SCORERS

D Rock...........2-34 (25f, 2’45s’)

C Kilkenny......2-21

C Costello........0-18 (3f, 1’45’)

C O’Callaghan....2-10

B Fenton.........1-9

P Mannion.......1-8 (1’45’)

P Flynn.............1-7

TYRONE

Monaghan 1-18 Tyrone 1-16 (Ulster quarter-final)

Tyrone 2-14 Meath 0-19 (aet) (Round 1 qualifier)

Tyrone 3-14 Carlow 1-10 (Round 2 qualifier)

Tyrone 0-18 Cavan 1-12 (Round 3 qualifier)

Tyrone 3-20 Cork 0-13 (Round 4 qualifier)

Tyrone 4-24 Roscommon 2-12 (All-Ireland quarter-final – Phase 1)

Dublin 1-14 Tyrone 0-14 (All-Ireland quarter-final – Phase 2)

Tyrone 2-17 Donegal 1-13 (All-Ireland quarter-final – Phase 3)

Tyrone1-13 Monaghan 0-15 (All-Ireland semi-final)

TYRONE’S TOP SCORERS

C McAliskey.........2-38 (23f, 1 ‘45’)

P Harte................2-14 (2-0 pen, 10f)

N Sludden............3-13

R Donnelly.............2-8

C McShane............0-13

F Burns..................0-9

M Donnelly...........0-9

PREVIOUS CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS

This will be the tenth championship clash between the counties – all since 1984.Dublin have won six to Tyrone’s two while there has been one draw in the previous nine.

2018: Dublin 1-14 Tyrone 0-14 (All-Ireland quarter-final – Phase 2).

2017: Dublin 2-17 Tyrone 0-11 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2011: Dublin 0-22 Tyrone 0-15 (All-Ireland quarter-final)

2010: Dublin 1-15 Tyrone 0-13 (All-Ireland quarter-final)

2008: Tyrone 3-14 Dublin 1-8 ((All-Ireland quarter-final)

2005: Tyrone 2-18 Dublin 1-14 (All-Ireland quarter-final) Replay

2005: Tyrone 1-14 Dublin 1-14 (All-Ireland quarter-final)

1995: Dublin 1-10 Tyrone 0-12 (All-Ireland final)

1984: Dublin 2-11 Tyrone 0-8 (All-Ireland semi-final)

This will be the third meeting between Dublin and Tyrone this year, with Jim Gavin’s men having won the previous two. They finished a goal ahead (1-14 to 0-14) in the All-Ireland quarter-final clash (Phase 2) in Omagh last month, having also won an Allianz League game (2-13 to 1-11) in Healy Park last February.

Tyrone’s last win over Dublin in League or Championship was in the 2013 Division 1 group games.

Dublin’s only defeat under Jim Gavin in the championship (2013-2018) came against Donegal in the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final. They drew with Mayo in the 2015 semi-final and 2016 final and won both replays. It leaves Gavin’s record as follows: Played 37; Won 34, Drew 2, Lost 1.

This will be only Tyrone’s sixth appearance in the All-Ireland final, winning three in 2003-2005-2008 and losing in 1986 and 1995.

Dublin have won their seven championship games this year by an average of 13 points. They have scored an average of 2-22 and conceded an average of 1-12. Their high scores were against Wicklow (4-25) and Roscommon (4-24) while their lowest scorers were against Tyrone (1-14) and Donegal (2-15).

Tyrone have won seven and lost two (Monaghan, Dublin) of their nine championship games this year, scoring an average of 2-16 and conceding an average of 1-13. Their highest scores were against Roscommon (4-24) and Cork (3-20). Coincidentally, Tyrone and Dublin scored the same amount (4-24) against Roscommon. If Tyrone win, it will be their third All-Ireland success, via the qualifiers, having been successful on the same route in 2005 and 2008.

Dublin’s League-Championship record for 2018 is: Played 15; Won 13; Drew 1 Lost 1. Their only defeat was against Monaghan in the last round of Division 1 games. Tyrone’s record is: Played 16; Won 11; Lost 5.

This will be the 19th time that Mickey Harte has managed a Tyrone team against Dublin in League and Championship. It’s 9-6 in Dublin’s favour with three draws from the previous 18.

Dublin’s last defeat in the All-Ireland final was against Down in 1994. Since then they have beaten Tyrone (1995), Kerry (2011 and 2015), Mayo (2013-2016-2017).

GAA ALL-IRELAND SF ROLL OF HONOUR

37 – Kerry (1903-04-09-13-14-24-26-29-30-31-32-37-39-40-41-46-53-55-59-62-69-70-75-78-79-80-81-84-85-86-97-2000-2004-2006-2007-2009-2014)

27 – DUBLIN (1891-92-94-97-98-99-1901-02-06-07-08-21-22-23-42-58-63-74-76-77-83-95-2011-2013-2015-2016-2017)

9 – Galway (1925-34-38-56-64-65-66-98-2001)

7 – Meath (1949-54-67-87-88-96-99)

7 – Cork (1890-1911-45-73-89-90-2010)

5 – Down (1960-61-68-91-94)

5 – Cavan (1933-35-47-48-52)

5 – Wexford (1893-1915-16-17-18)

4 – Kildare (1905-19-27-28)

4- Tipperary (1889-95-1900-1920)

3 – Louth (1910-12-57)

3 – Mayo (1936-50-51)

3 – Offaly (1971-72-82)

3- TYRONE (2003-2005-2008)

2- Donegal (1992-2012)

2 – Limerick (1887-1896)

2 – Roscommon (1943-44)

1 – Armagh (2002)

1 – Derry (1993)

KERRY SEEKING FIFTH SUCCESSIVE MINOR TITLE

The age limit may have dropped from 18 to 17 years, but Kerry’s pursuit of glory in the minor grade continues at full pace. They will be seeking their fifth successive title when they take on Galway in the final in Croke Park on Sunday (1.0)

Kerry, who are seeking their 16th All-Ireland title beat Derry (2017), Galway (2016), Tipperary (2015) and Donegal (2014). Galway, who last won the title in 2007, are seeking their seventh title.

PATHS TO THE FINAL

GALWAY

Galway 4-18 Roscommon 0-8

Galway 3-15 Sligo 0-10

Galway 0-15 Mayo 1-9

Galway 4-17 Leitrim 1-11

Galway 2-13 Roscommon 2-9 (Connacht final)

Galway 0-18 Clare 0-11 (All-Ireland quarter-final)

Galway 3-13 Meath 2-9 (All-Ireland semi-final

KERRY

Kerry 1-15 Tipperary 0-4

Kerry 1-11 Cork 1-10

Kerry 3-21 Clare 1-7 (Munster final)

Kerry 2-16 Roscommon 2-7 (All-Ireland quarter-final)

Kerry 1-16 Monaghan 2-11 (All-Ireland semi-final)

ALL IRELAND MINOR ROLL OF HONOUR

15 – KERRY (1931-32-33-46-50-62-63-75-80-88-94-2014-2015-2016-2017)

11 – Dublin (1930-45-54-55-56-58-59-79-82-84-2012)

10 – Cork (1961-67-68-69-72-74-81-91-93-2000)

8 – Tyrone (1947-48-73-98-2001-2004-2008-2010)

7 – Mayo (1935-53-66-71-78-85-2013)

6 – GALWAY (1952-60-70-76-86-2007)

4 – Derry (1965-83-89-2002)

4 – Down (1977-87-99-2005)

4 – Roscommon (1939-41-51-2006)

3 – Laois (1996-97-2003)

3 – Meath (1957-90-92)

2 – Cavan (1937-38)

2 – Louth (1936-40)

2 – Armagh (1949-2009)

2 – Tipperary (1934-2011)

1 – Clare (1929)

1 – Offaly (1964)

1 – Westmeath (1995)

2018 GAA FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

CONNACHT

May 6: Quarter-finals: Leitrim 0-19 New York 1-15 (aet), Gaelic Park; Sligo 1-21 London 1-11, McGovern Park, Ruislip.

May 13: Quarter-final: Galway 1-12 Mayo 0-12, Elverys Mac Hale Park.

May 26: Semi-final: Roscommon 0-24 Leitrim 0-10, Carrick-on-Shannon.

June 3: Semi-final: Galway 4-24 Sligo 1-12, Pearse Stadium

June 17: Final: Galway 0-16 Roscommon 2-6, Dr. Hyde Park

LEINSTER

May 12: First round: Laois 2-21 Wexford 1-18 (aet), Innovate Wexford Park.

May 13: First round: Carlow 2-17 Louth 0-12; Wicklow 1-20 Offaly 1-15 (aet) Both in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

May 26/27: Quarter-finals: Laois 4-13 Westmeath 1-12, Tullamore; Carlow 2-14 Kildare 1-10, Tullamore; Dublin 4-25 Wicklow 1-11; Longford 0-16 Meath 0-14, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

June 10: Semi-finals: Laois 0-12 Carlow 0-8; Dublin 2-25 Longford 0-12. Both in Croke Park.

June 24: Final: Dublin 1-25 Laois 0-10, Croke Park.

MUNSTER

May 19: Quarter-finals: Clare 1-23 Limerick 0-14, Gaelic Grounds; Tipperary 0-20 Waterford 0-9, Semple Stadium.

May 26: Semi-final: Cork 1-17 Tipperary 0-9, Semple Stadium.

June 3: Semi-Final: Kerry 0-32 Clare 0-10, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.

June 23: Final: Kerry 3-18 Cork 2-4, Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

ULSTER

May 13: Preliminary Round: Donegal 2-20 Cavan 1-15, Ballybofey.

May 19:Quarter-final: Fermanagh 0-12 Armagh 0-7, Enniskillen.

May 20: Quarter-final: Monaghan 1-18 Tyrone 1-16, Omagh.

May 26: Quarter-final: Down 1-18 Antrim 0-14, Newry.

May 27: Quarter-final: Donegal 2-16 Derry 0-16, Celtic Park.

June 3: Semi-final: Fermanagh 1-8 Monaghan, 0-10, Omagh

June 10: Semi-final: Donegal 2-22 Down 1-12

June 24: Final: Donegal 2-18 Fermanagh 0-12, Clones

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 9/10: Qualifiers – Round 1: Kildare 2-22 Derry 2-14, Owenbeg;Tyrone 2-14 Meath 0-19 (aet), Navan; Louth 2-26 London 1-19, McGovern Park, Ruislip; Mayo 5-19 Limerick 3-7, Gaelic Grounds; Armagh 3-16 Westmeath 1-11, Mullingar; Waterford 3-14 Wexford 1-18, Innovate Wexford Park; Cavan 2-16 Wicklow 1-5, Joule Park Aughrim; Offaly 2-20 Antrim 1-15, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park.

June 23/24: Qualifiers – Round 2: Mayo 1-19 Tipperary 1-11, Semple Stadium; Tyrone 3-14 Carlow 1-10, Netwatch Cullen Park;Monaghan 5-20 Waterford 0-9, Dungarvan;Armagh 1-19 Sligo 1-13, Markievicz Park; Kildare 1-16 Longford 1-13. Glennon Brothers Pearse Park; Leitrim 0-25 Louth 1-12 Carrick-on-Shannon; Cavan 1-14 Down 0-15, Brewster Park; Clare 1-19 Offaly 2-14, Tullamore.

June 30: Qualifiers Round 3: Kildare 0-21 Mayo 0-19, Newbridge;Tyrone 0-18 Cavan 1-12, Enniskillen; Armagh 2-16 Clare 1-15, Athletic Grounds; Monaghan1-19 Leitrim 0-9, Carrick-on-Shannon.

July 7/8: Qualifiers Round 4: Kildare 3-20 Fermanagh 0-18, Pairc Tailteann; Monaghan 0-19 Laois 1-11, Pairc Tailteann; Tyrone 3-20 Cork 0-13, Portlaoise; Roscommon 2-22 Armagh 1-19, Portlaoise.

QUARTER-FINALS

July 14:Phase 1: Group 2: Dublin 2-15 Donegal 0-16, Croke Park; Tyrone 4-24 Roscommon 2-12, Croke Park.

July 15: Phase 1: Group 1: Galway 1-13 Kerry 1-10, Croke Park; Monaghan 0-15 Kildare 1-10, Croke Park

July 21:Phase 2 Group 2: Dublin 1-14 Tyrone 0-14, Omagh; Donegal 0-20 Roscommon 0-13, Dr. Hyde Park.

July 22: Phase 2: Group 1: Galway 0-19 Kildare 0-16, Newbridge; Monaghan 1-17 Kerry 1-17, Clones.

August 4: Group 1: Kerry 3-25 Kildare 2-16, Killarney; Monaghan 0-16 Galway 0-8, Pearse Stadium.

August 5: Group 2: Tyrone 2-17 Donegal 1-13; Dublin 4-24 Roscommon 2-16.

August 11: All-Ireland semi-final: Dublin 1-24 Galway 2-12, Croke Park.

August 12: All-Ireland semi-final: Tyrone 1-13 Monaghan 0-15, Croke Park.

September 2: All-Ireland final: Dublin v Tyrone, Croke Park.