The magnitude of Cork's 1990 double achievement has only grown with time
The Cork panel stand to attention for the national anthem prior to the 1990 All-Ireland SFC final against Meath at Croke Park.
It could happen again that a county would win both All-Ireland senior titles in the one year.
However, we don’t feel especially brave in saying that, if and when it does, there won’t be a dual player involved.
Thirty-six years ago today, Teddy McCarthy wrote himself into history as Cork beat Meath by 0-11 to 0-9 to retain the football title and complete the double, a fortnight after the hurlers had beaten Galway.
It’s a feat that will never be repeated and one that ensures that the Sarsfields and Glanmire man, who sadly died in 2023, will never be forgotten.
It was a strange situation in that Cork were the champions but were almost still seen as the challengers, given that Meath had beaten them in the 1987 and 1988 finals.
After defeat to the Royal in the national league semi-final in Croke Park in April, Cork manager Billy Morgan got down on his knees and exhorted those around him to pray that Cork would make it back there in the autumn – and that Meath would be there too, for vengeance was required. It was Easter Sunday, which was perhaps a factor in his prayers being answered.
After winning Munster, Cork had got past Roscommon in the All-Ireland semi-final while Meath impressed as they saw off Donegal. Then, Cork claimed the All-Ireland hurling title – expectations soared on Leeside.
If they were to retain the title and finally get it over the Royals, Cork would need to curb the dangerous Meath attack. In the six-season period from 1986-91, Seán Boylan’s won five Leinster titles – 1989 was the only exception – and two All-Irelands as well as appearing in the final in two other years.
They played 33 championship games in that time, scoring an average of almost 16 points per game. This was one of only two occasions when they were limited to single figures and the other one was a victory, the 0-9 to 0-7 win over Dublin in the 1986 Leinster final. The Cork full-back line of Tony Nation, Steven O’Brien and Niall Cahalane was outstanding.
With Shea Fahy and Danny Culloty gaining the early upper hand at midfield, Cork enjoyed a good start and might have had a goal from Colm O’Neill, whose shot came back off the crossbar. Meath rallied to tie the game at 0-3 each but it would prove to be the only time the sides were level.
Two points from the lively Mick McCarthy and other from Fahy had Cork 0-6 to 0-4 in front before a potentially pivotal moment. O’Neill and Meath full-back Mick Lyons had both been booked after an early skirmish and O’Neill was sent off after they again became entangled shortly before half-time.
Brian Stafford pointed just before the interval, resulting in Cork going in a point up but having to play the second half a player down. Meath failed to make the most of their manpower though and Fahy launched another booming point after the restart, followed by one from Paul McGrath.
If there was a turning point, it was in the 41 st minute, when Liam Hayes’s driving run set up Brian Stafford for a goal chance only for John Kerins to produce a brilliant save. While impressive sub Colm Coyle and David Beggy scored to bring Meath back to within a point, 0-8 to 0-7, with 20 minutes left.
They couldn’t level though and Larry Tompkins’ free gave breathing room to Cork, for whom wing-backs Mick Slocum and Barry Coffey were superb. Fahy kicked his fourth point before another Tompkins free and the lead was four points by the 59 th minute.
Meath did claw back two points, from Stafford frees, but Cork had done enough – the double had been achieved.
App?
