Wisdom of crowds will make up GAA’s mind

Thirteen years ago, provincial finals were exactly that — finals. The cream came to the top in each quadrant, writes John Fogarty

Mossy Quinn was the hero for Dublin against Laois in Croke Park. Armagh and Tyrone couldn’t be separated the first day also on Jones Road and Michael Meehan turned up when he was needed most at the death to give Galway a win over Mayo in Salthill.

All four deciders went to the wire and the aggregate winning/losing margin was six points. The attendances reflected what was on offer — a mighty 81,025 watched Dublin-Laois, there were a remarkable 60,186 in GAA HQ for the drawn northern derby, Cork-Kerry attracted approximately 32,000 and there was 29,711 in Pearse Stadium. Altogether, over 200,000 — 230,000-plus if you include the Ulster replay, were in attendance.