Dublin v Kerry: An age-old rivalry set for a new chapter

Every sport has its great rivalries, and in Gaelic football, Dublin versus Kerry is special. Together, the counties have won 70 All-Ireland titles – Kerry 39, Dublin 31. Their meetings have produced unforgettable moments woven into the game's fabric.

The first recorded clash came in 1893, when club champions Young Irelands (Dublin) beat Laune Rangers. The 1955 final drew a line in the sand: Kerry, with 17 titles, defeated Dublin 0-12 to 1-6 in front of over 87,000 fans.

The 1970s saw the rivalry explode. After Dublin's 1974 win, a young Kerry side under Mick O'Dwyer stunned them in 1975. A five-year saga followed: Dublin won the 1976 final (goals from McCarthy, Keaveney, Mullins), then the 1977 semi-final. But Kerry took the 1978 final with Mikey Sheehy's iconic lob over Paddy Cullen and a hat-trick from Eoin 'Bomber' Liston. They added the 1979 final and later beat Dublin in 1984 and 1985 finals.

The rivalry was reborn in 2001 when Maurice Fitzgerald equalised with a sideline point in Thurles. Kerry won the replay and also defeated Dublin in 2004 and 2007, before a 17-point demolition in 2009.

Dublin's resurgence began in the 2011 final: Kevin McManamon's goal and Stephen Cluxton's late free sealed a first title in 17 years. They dominated the 2010s, beating Kerry in the 2013 semi-final, the 2015 final, and the 2019 final replay (Eoin Murchin's goal key) to win five-in-a-row. Kerry struck back in the 2022 semi-final with Sean O'Shea's monster free, but Dublin won their 2023 final meeting.

Now, with stars like David Clifford and Con O'Callaghan, the stage is set for another classic. The rivalry has stood the test of time, and Sunday's match may write a new chapter.