The Curse of Croke Park's Canal End

It is a common occurrence to hear in GAA pitches all over Ireland that “a scoring goal” exists  where for some reason scores seem to come easier and flow more frequently in that goal than in the other.  Are there definitive reasons for this viewpoint?  A good question.

Conversely, is there an argument to be made that certain goals are not scorer friendly or “cursed” for the want of a better word.  I read an article by Weeshie Fogarty of the Kerryman newspaper and Radio Kerry not so long ago where he was of the view that Kerry seem to be jinxed in recent years when playing in Croke Park and particularly by the Hill 16 goal.  He was referring in particular to supersub Kevin McManamin’s killer goals against them in the 2011 All Ireland Final and this year’s epic semi final.  There was also Oisin McConville’s game changing goal in the 2002 All Ireland Final for Armagh and a similar outcome with Peter Canavan’s goal for Tyrone in 2005.

So the Hill 16 goal has not been favourable to the Kingdom.  However, on doing further research, the old Canal End, or Davin End as it is now known, has also been the curse of many of the game’s best attackers over the years when taking decisive penalty kicks, particularly in All Ireland Finals.

Bill McCorry

In the first championship meeting of Armagh and Kerry in the 1953 All Ireland final Armagh’s McCorry had the misfortune of missing a decisive spot kick and the Kingdom went on to take the spoils by four points.

Liam Sammon

For all that Liam Sammon has done for Galway football before and since, one moment in the 1974 championship  season has followed him everywhere — the missed penalty in the All Ireland final against Dublin. In a game that he probably shouldn’t have played in at all, he had punctured a lung in the lead up to the semi-final against Donegal, one moment made him notorious – the Paddy Cullen save.  “He judged the right way to go but was well off his line. Back then you could come out and he covered a fair bit. Cullen was a big fella. That’s the way it goes” Sammon said at the time.

Colm O’Rourke

The Dubs were at the crest of their considerable power heading in to the Leinster Final in 1976. Meath have them on the rack and were awarded a penalty into the Canal goals.  The Meath forwards look at each other. Who wants the responsibility? The atmosphere is packed with tension as a lanky eighteen year old from Skryne steps forward. It is only his third Championship game but he has the confidence and the willingness to assume the responsibility. He drives the ball to Cullen’s right. Further right than he intended.  The Dubs go on to win by two points and to capture successive All-Irelands in 1976 and 1977.

Mikey Sheehy

With Kerry in search of the historic 5 in a row against Offaly in the 1982 All Ireland Final, Mikey Sheehy had the opportunity to put the game to bed and write their names in folklore when awarded a penalty in the second half of proceedings.  However, his effort was saved by Martin Furlong, Offaly got a new lease of life and after Seamus Darby’s goal the rest as they say is history.

Kevin McCabe

In 1986 Tyrone reached their very first All-Ireland Final.  They were the rank outsiders to beat Kerry who were going for their third title in a row.  Jack O’Shea had rattled a second minute penalty against the crossbar at the Canal End after Ambrose O’Donovan had been upended.  After that let off at one stage in the second half Tyrone had amassed a seven point lead but the turning point of the game was a penalty that could have put Tyrone nine points ahead but was struck over the bar by wing back Kevin McCabe.   The experience of Kerry shone through, and inspired by Pat Spillane, they went on to win by 2-15 to 1-10.

 Keith Barr

In the 1991 Leinster Championship Dublin and Meath were involved in a mammoth 4 game saga before Kevin Foley’s famous goal turned the tide in Meath’s favour before winning on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-15. It was claimed by many that Keith Barr's penalty miss was the turning point in the game.  It is said that Barr had been instructed to take the point but he went for glory and subsequently missed his chance. 

Charlie Redmond

A rampant Dublin were awarded a penalty after seven minutes of the 1992 All Ireland Final against Donegal when Dessie Farrell was adjudged to have been fouled when bearing down on goal.  It seemed like a harsh decision and justice seemed to be served when Charlie Redmond drove the ball to his right and wide.  He had previously missed a penalty kick in the 1988 Leinster Final.  The Dubs later lost the initiative and the McHugh brothers, Manus Boyle and Declan Bonner inspired Donegal to their first All Ireland victory.

Trevor Giles

Meath were already hanging on for dear life when captain Trevor Giles smashed a penalty to the left and wide midway through the second half of the 2001 All Ireland Final against Galway.  The fight was sapped from his side, unusual for a Meath team, and Galway powered on to win by nine points and inspired by Michael Donnellan and Padraic Joyce.

Oisin McConnville

Oisin McConville must have feared that the curse of his county predecessor Bill McCorry and his penalty miss in the 1953 All Ireland Final would come back to haunt him when Kerry keeper Declan O’Keeffe got down to save his effort just before half time in the 2002 All Ireland Final.  However, McConville made amends with a second half goal in to the Hill 16 goal which turned the game in their favour and captain Kieran McGeeney lifted the Sam Maguire cup for the first time in Armagh’s history.