Interesting that BBC NI are not covering it after showing earlier games live (and denying us coverage of Wimbledon etc that mainland UK enjoyed).

An Dún Abu. Let's not forget my own county's fantastic achievement in the minor final. As it stands it's 1-11 Tyrone to 1-7 Kerry. Let's hope it's an Ulster double.

BBC weren't able to get rights to the final. RTE now have 32-county rights to all GAA, bar the Ulster championship.

Anyway, Wimbledon has nothing on the GAA, and if you get a satellite dish, you can watch whatever BBC channel you want.

The score says it all: 1916!

Congrats to Tyrone- a fascinating final and confirmation (if it were needed) that they are firmly established as the premier county in Ireland.

Hilarious to watch Joe Brolly's gloating at the end of the game- he even got the PSNI a mention!

Fantastic game and well done Tyrone and Down

Ulster is now the premier provience for GAA football.

It's like boys Vs men

Some one send a huge slice of humble pie to Spillane, he needs it!

Superb result for Tyrone, what a game.

Mr Spillane can eat his hat.

Ulster domination continues.

Well done Tir Eoghain

Well done An Dun

A brilliant day all round.

Rather disappointing if you couldn't get access to RTE. The BBC really could have done better, no?

Anyway I can get RTE through Sky and pay £19.50 a month for the privilege. Well done Down. Oh and I suppose well done Tyrone. We'll never hear the end of this!

Irish culture at its best - well done Tyrone and Kerry for a fantastic match and i'm from Derry!
Tir Eoghain Abu

An All Ireland won and decommissioning done.....what a day

Well done tyrone & Down, from all in Fermanagh

1916 says it all. Well we all know what happened the 1916 leaders the following year.

Great game. And good for my nerves that it wasn't Donegal. It's amazing to think that this Tyrone team has such strength in depth. Kerry seemed to lose concentration after the goal and, unfortunately for them, Tyrone woke up.

In Ulster, outside Armagh, I can't see another team competing with these guys for a few seasons yet. The Down minors will take time to work through to the senior system.

Still, I don't we're going to hear many more complaints about the Northerner style of football. Especially after the several blows to Tyrone faces launched out by several Kerry players.

Any theories as to why Ulster seems to have pulled so far ahead of the other provinces?

"Any theories as to why Ulster seems to have pulled so far ahead of the other provinces?" I wouldn't admit to have any knowledge of the GAA, but can I suggest the following; a football team that until two recent matches has been a laughing a stock, a rugby team that is now clearly third in line of the Irish provinces, and an almost complete absence of hurling. I mean c'com, Ulster has to be good at something, and a sport which seems based on tribalism and is prone to the bouts of communal violence would appear to be ideal, for the men of Ulster ;-))

"a rugby team that is now clearly third in line of the Irish provinces"

Ahem. Is that the only province that has ever won the European Cup, and is currently top of the Celtic League. Ahem.

Aaron Ulster's win was six years ago and the Celtic League is used to blood seconds and new players. I don't think that anyone would dispute that Ulster have trailed both Leinster and Munster for the last few years.

Anyone use Setanta tv online? If so, how'd it work?

Just watched Spillane on the sunday game.

Priceless stuff

He's now calling it 'Formula 1 football'

The guy's an arse.

I got to go. Great day for Ulster. Antrim's day will come :-)

A true sporting spectacular

The 2 best teams on the island battling for the glory of lifting Sam.

Passion, commitment and some super football, played out in front of 82,500 fans.

This is what sport is all about.

Congratulations to Tyrone - the day is yours!
What a wonderful game, what a tribute to Cormac!

It is great to see the Down Minor team making it a double for ALL of Ulster. Great job!
Come on all Ulstermen bask in the glory that belongs to everyone- support your local GAA team.

Truly a great day for ULSTER.

Well done Tyrone and Down.

Congratulations to Tyrone - the day is yours!
What a wonderful game, what a tribute to Cormac!

It is great to see the Down Minor team making it a double for ALL of Ulster. Great job!
Come on all Ulstermen bask in the glory that belongs to everyone- support your local GAA team.

Well done, i really did not think Tyrone could do it. Congrats Down.

Magnificent. The first poke in the eye to the smallest player on the field inside of ten minutes, clearly cynically deliberate off-the-ball punchups, including one by the Tyrone captain, and general all-round scuffling from both teams. A potentially magnificent game scuttled and a poor example of sportsmanship set for every child watching. Is it football or a punch-up that we want to see in Croke Park for an All-Ireland Final?

trevor

The 2 best teams on the island battling for the glory of lifting Sam.

Not quite. Armagh are the second best team in the country. But it's Tyrone's day and well done to them.

I feel a million miles away from the hype and intensive media coverage leading up to and including the GAA finals.

One of the reasons for this is Rule 21 and the institutionalized sectarianism that this portrays to the Protestant people by BANNING security force members from taking up a sport!

I know it's recently been abolished, but as far as I and 99% of the Protestant people are concerned, Gaelic sports are still a cold-house for Protestants and I can't see it changing in the near future.

Another example, why is the Republic's national anthem played when both Tyrone and Down are Ulster counties and part of the state of Northern Ireland, an integral part of the United Kingdom, NOT the Republic of Ireland?

I feel a million miles away from the hype and intensive media coverage leading up to and including the GAA finals.

One of the reasons for this is Rule 21 and the institutionalized sectarianism that this portrays to the Protestant people by BANNING security force members from taking up a sport!

I know it's recently been abolished, but as far as I and 99% of the Protestant people are concerned, Gaelic sports are still a cold-house for Protestants and I can't see it changing in the near future.

Another example, why is the Republic's national anthem played when both Tyrone and Down are Ulster counties and part of the state of Northern Ireland, an integral part of the United Kingdom, NOT the Republic of Ireland?

"I know it's recently been abolished, but as far as I and 99% of the Protestant people are concerned, Gaelic sports are still a cold-house for Protestants"

You must be their official spokesman so. Maybe up North but, in general, southern protestants have no such hang-ups.

"Why is the Republic's national anthem played when both Tyrone and Down are Ulster counties and part of the state of Northern Ireland, an integral part of the United Kingdom, NOT the Republic of Ireland?"

They were asked before the game if they'd like a wee rendition of God Save The Queen, Danny Boy or even The Sash after the Anthem. Apparently they said no, they were fine and didn't want to overstrain the three Kerry tenors, but appreciated the offer nonetheless.

"Another example, why is the Republic's national anthem played when both Tyrone and Down are Ulster counties and part of the state of Northern Ireland, an integral part of the United Kingdom, NOT the Republic of Ireland? "

Because we are Irish and the GAA is part of our identity. God Save The Queen most certainly is not.

Very mature "dealga".

I suppose I knew that Tyrone or Down didn't have a chance of their country's National Anthem being played before the game as is custom in international football matches(soccer as Americans and Gaelic fans refer to it as).

Especially when politicians, such as local East Londonderry SDLP mouthpiece John Dallat, call for the end of the National Anthem of our country, God Save The Queen, being played at Northern Ireland football matches, which are played in Belfast, in Northern Ireland!

"One of the reasons for this is Rule 21 and the institutionalized sectarianism that this portrays to the Protestant people by BANNING security force members from taking up a sport!"

CL where was the concern for the security forces a few weeks ago?! Also, you are confusing "Protestants" and "Unionists/Loyalists" here. There is no ban on Protestants and my Protestant mates and wife have no problem with the GAA. Suppose that makes them Lundy's in your eyes.

It doesn't make them "lundy's", just ignorant or indifferent to the fact that Northern fans and clubs at the very least, don't want a Prod about the place!

Perhaps this does not apply to their Southern counterparts, i'm not down there enough to gauge opinion

Well done Tyrone, living proof that the age-old southern inferiority complex towards northerners is still just below the surface even now in Celtic Tiger days.

Dublin will save the day from around 2007 though.

Concerned Loyalist,
GSTQ is not their anthem, it is yours. When Tyrone won their first all-Ireland, the entire team stood around and sang The Soldier's Song to celebrate. Why? Because they feel they are part of the Irish nation and it seemed the natural thing to do.

You really have to start living with this and get on with being in your British nation doing your British things.

There are plenty of other opportunities to sing God Save the Queen in NI I'm sure.

GAA is there to promote Irish pastimes, culture and language. Obviously the organisation is loyal to the Irish state and it's hardly surprising that those who play it are loyal to the Irish state or give the Irish nation primacy.

Unlike their southern brethren, most Northern Protestants aren't loyal to the Irish state.
Good for them and I hope it turns out fine in the long run with the GB option but they can't expect expect everyone else to have their world view.

If you are from Northern Ireland, you can be British, Irish or both remember.

Northern Ireland football team is British, Tyrone GAA team is Irish. Such is way of the world in 2005. Just put a picture of King David Healy on your wall and I'm sure you'll get over GSTQ not being played at Croke Park.

Either that or move on to the next level. Sing GSTQ in Windsor Park one week and AnBFh in Croker the next.

Northern Ireland needs more cultural chameleons and if the PSNI can manage it so can you.

George,
So you don't agree with John Dallat and other nationalists' calls for an end to the playing of God Save The Queen before N.I. football matches?

With The PSNI to play in the Seigerson Cup, does anyone know if AnBFh and the Irish tricolour are present at College Games?

Concerned Loyalist,
I don't care either way and have said before that for me Our Wee Country could continue to exist in a future united Ireland.

If the Northern Ireland team can't exist without God Save the Queen and the union flag then they have to stay.

Although they should then be honest and say they are representing the "simply British" and "both" communities but not the "Irish" of Northern Ireland.

As a national team, they might have trouble with that as they are then not really Northern Ireland but a subset of it.

The GAA represents the "Irish" and "both" communities.

Unlike the NI football team they are under no obligation to represent anyone except those interested in Irish culture and pastimes.

Well done Tyrone, from a broken-hearted but philosophical Kerryman. I was pretty seceptical about Tyrone up until the very end, but even though I think our lads could have played much better on the day, Tyrone deserved it and won the day through force of will - AND some great football. There's no shame in going down to a great performance from a great team. As regards the dominance of Ulster teams in recent years, people should sound a note of caution...this has happened before, but the game is continually evolving and the only county/team that has managed to stay the pace in every era is the Kingdom. I think this Tyrone team can achieve great things in years to come but the clock is already ticking down to the day when people will have this method of playing sussed. The team that sufficiently masters the art of quick ball movement & accurate long range point-kicking will beat that Tyrone team and Armagh, just like Fermanagh and Mayo did in 2004.

CL
"One of the reasons for this is Rule 21..."
"I know it's recently been abolished, but as far as I and 99% of the Protestant people are concerned..."

Rule 21 was scrapped years ago, get over it. And the ban wasn't on "protestants", it was on security force memebers, irrespective of their religion. Some former GAA players were also affected by this rule.
And do you believe you have the right to speak for 99% of Protestant people? You don't!

"why is the Republic's national anthem played..."

It's in the rules. And no county (as far as I am aware) has ever asked for it to be changed. These are the national sports of this Irish nation and we like to play our national anthem.

Concerned loyalist - im afraid my friend that the GAA will be around well into the future and grow stronger. I am from a club in the very heart of tyrone and we have members of the protestant faith playing both football and hurling for us - i will not say the club as i dont want to identify the individuals - but they love sport and they respect the national anthem of the 32 counties of ireland. The GAA is by no means a cold house for protestants, our most famous piece of silverware is named after a protestant and our past president was a protestant. Perhaps my friend you should get out of the freezer that is your sectarian 'northern ireland' and embrace the culture of this island that your forefathers also help to forge.
Tir Eoghan abu
(Up Tyrone for those of you with no Irish)
2006 for the double
ps Canavan and Criko - thanks for the memories!

CL, the only reason I can think of (playing the Amhran na bhFiann) is this; it is an all Ireland event, there were two games played, with 2 teams from the north, and 2 teams from the south of the island. Seeing as everyone who is born north or south of the border is entitled to an Irish passport (and therefore can claim that their nationality is Irish), the only one singular national anthem that they can play is the Amhran na bhFiann. In any case, it is my personal belief that no sporting events should create social divisions anywhere in the world. And that the act of playing ‘National Anthems’, especially when the game that is being played is between two teams that can claim the same national identity, is fairly (though not entirely) pointless.