There have been some excellent games so far in 2025 and the club season is only getting revved up. In no particular order, Michael McMullan takes a look back at some classic encounters…

Errigal Ciaran 2-18 Dr Crokes 1-18 AET

All-Ireland Club SFC

THIS classic didn’t even need the new FRC rule enhancements as both teams played out a classic in Newbridge that had just about everything you’d need. Errigal had never won an All-Ireland game and bossed proceedings for long spells but Crokes came back only for Peter Óg McCartan to force extra time. A Joe Oguz goal in extra-time shot the Ulster champions to Croke Park.

Cork 1-30 Limerick 2-27 AET (Cork won on penalties)

Munster SHC

AFTER being handed a 16-point lesson by Limerick earlier in the campaign, Cork turned the tables on final day but it took an historic first ever penalty shootout to secure a 55th title for the Rebels. For all Cork’s impressive play, they needed a Patrick Horgan score to force extra-time and a 65 from Darragh Fitzgibbon to save the day and take it to penalties. It was then Patrick Collins who was the hero with saves to pave the way to glory.

Cork 1-25 Kerry 3-21 AET

Munster SFC

THIS was an absolute cracker in every way. It was even pulsating watching it back such was the drama. The Kingdom came in as league champions. Joe O’Connor, Seán O’Shea and Paul Geaney all hit goals for the visitors. Geaney’s took a Kerry lead to 1-17 to 0-13. Chris Óg Jones goaled got Cork who went ahead for the first time after 63 minutes through Ruairí Deane. Kerry finished the strongest but Cork still had a chance to bring it to penalties. It didn’t work out.

Armagh 0-23 Tyrone 0-22

Ulster SFC

FOR long spells it looked like Tyrone were going to take another Ulster Championship step but this was another game of fine, fine margins. Armagh led by three at half time but the sides were level, 0-19 each, as the temperature rose. Ethan Rafferty’s kicking was on point. Still, Tyrone pushed ahead but Armagh finished with scores from Stefan Campbell and a winner from Rory Grugan.

Armagh 0-28 Donegal 2-23 AET

Ulster SFC

AFTER another belter in the Clones cauldron, it was Niall O’Donnell who kicked Donegal over the winning line in extra time. This was a proper classic. The weather and atmosphere helped. So too the new rules. Armagh will wonder how they lost. Donegal were rocking at times but it was Ciarán Moore’s rocket of a goal that turned the tide, but they needed absolute composure late on when possession was the absolute goal. One of the all-time greatest finals.

Derry 2-20 Galway 4-14

All-Ireland SFC

FOR long, long periods Derry looked to have turned their season, led by the brilliance of Conor Glass. How different would their season have looked if they’d not been shipped by two Matthew Tierney goals, the second of which gave Galway a lead with seconds to play. Derry had the wherewithal to conjure a possession from the kick-out, keep cool heads, pull Galway out of the scoring zone and get the ball to Conor Doherty for an equaliser.

Down 3-21 Galway 2-26

All-Ireland SFC

GALWAY made it a habit of being involved in high-octane games. This was another instalment. The Tribesmen led 1-16 to 1-6 at the break but Down split the margin in half early in the second half. The drama didn’t end there. Odhrán Murdock and Ryan Magill fired goals in the second half but it wasn’t enough. The sad fact is how Down are not guaranteed a seat at the Sam Maguire table in 2026.

Meath 2-16 Galway 2-15

All-Ireland SFC

YES, Galway WERE involved in another game for the ages. In fairness, the first half was quiet, but the second half morphed into absolute chaos. For the neutral watcher, the only problem was that it didn’t deliver extra time. Jordan Morris was exceptional for the Royals with Rob Finnerty pulling the strings at the other end. In the final analysis, it was Morris who tipped the scales with a tackle and goal. Meath fans were in dreamland.

Dublin 2-24 Limerick 0-28

All-Ireland SHC

IF this wasn’t a big enough shock, then Dublin playing for long periods with 14 men made it even more notable. Cian O’Sullivan and John Hetherton bagged the all-important goals to give the Dubs an injection of hope. This can happen. Despite having a man less, Dublin were ravenous but they still needed the key moment to go in their favour. You’d back Aaron Gillane every day of the week but Seán Brennan’s breathtaking save prevented a certain goal. Save of the season to cement the hurling result of the season.

Dublin 1-16 Meath 0-23

Leinster SFC

IF Limerick hurlers getting chinned by Dublin, Meath ending the Dubs’ footballers hold on Leinster was the football result of the season. It was going to happen at some point but it was Meath’s hammering over of two points, aided by the breeze, that shot them into a game-winning lead. It was shoot on sight stuff. Even then, Dublin raced back but Meath didn’t blink to finish the job they started. You can say all you want about the “nobody gave us a chance” chatter. Few outside the Meath dressing room sniffed this one coming.