Cavan’s King still regrets 1997 All-Ireland SF loss

Stephen King

In this week’s Gaelic Life, Stephen King is featured in the In Focus interview.

King will always be famous in Cavan as he captained the county to the Ulster title in 1997, their first win in 28 years.

He was 35 years old, but he would retire the following year as time caught up with him.

King covers many topics during the interview, including his memories of Cavan’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry, who were under pressure to end their 11-year All-Ireland title drought.

“The 1997 team met up over Christmas and we were saying it was the one that got away.

“My biggest disappointment was that we didn’t win that match.

“We got a goal going into half time and were in a great position but we just didn’t kick on.

“That was a massive year for their manager Paidi O Se as Kerry hadn’t won an All-Ireland in a decade and they were under pressure.

“We didn’t take advantage of it. It’s easy to say now but it was a massive opportunity to get to an All-Irland final and you never know what’ll happen when you get to those.”

King also explains his feelings about retiring in 1998, the rule changes he would like to see implemented and why he thinks Intercounty football is at breaking point.

Read the full interview in the current issue of Gaelic Life.