Previous Encounters: 1997 All-Ireland final - Kerry 0-13 Mayo 1-7: The "Maurice Fitzgerald Final" ended an 11-year drought in the Kingdom while also adding another chapter in the famine that has plagued Mayo in All-Ireland finals. Like the more recent championship meetings between these two, it was a poor game, mainly because Mayo were unable to sustain Kerry's pace.
While Maurice landed nine points - four from play and two of them the greatest scores an All-Ireland final is every likely to witness - the game's final point from 45 metres ensured he became the championship's outright leading scorer. Mayo failed to register a score in the opening 23 minutes and the final 20.
A goal from a Ciarán McDonald penalty sparked a mini-revival but Mayo seemed destined to lose the All-Ireland final for the second successive year. McDonald and Fitzgerald on the same turf was a sight to behold. Two geniuses at work.
The current spine of the Mayo defence, James Nallen and David Heaney, also carry the scars from that day. The returning Kerry contingent this Sunday, all seeking fourth All-Ireland medals, are Darragh Ó Sé, Séamus Moynihan and '97 replacement Mike Frank Russell.
The most memorable post-match comment from the day unsurprisingly came from Kerry manager Páidí Ó Sé: "It's better as a player but when you are 44 and two stone overweight and going slow, winning one as a manager isn't bad."
Ticket Breakdown
The scramble is on. The seasoned ticket hunter knows to be positioned from early Saturday evening in the lobby/bar of certain hotels around the capital - waiting patiently for cute Kerrymen to arrive. This column is already sorted, as one of the 253 media people who'll be slaving away next Sunday. Anyway, here's how the 82,300 tickets are distributed.
Tickets not in circulation: 14,812.
(Long term Cusack Stand 4,143, Premium and Box tickets 10,528, Miscellaneous 141).
General circulation: 67,488
(County allocations 24,422, Competing county allocations: 26,028, Extra allocations for competing counties 4,517, Ard-Comhairle 786, Former Presidents 659, Provincial Councils 385, Handball 162, Camogie 120, Women's Football 140, Overseas 120, Schools and educational bodies 2,518, Public Representatives 140, Staff and subcommittees 1,446, Sponsors 655, Ard-Stiurthoir 334, Media 253, Minor Teams 70, Jubilee teams and CLG/INTO 325, Players from competing counties 540, Inter-county panels 1,920, Páirc an Chrocaigh Teoranta 188, Match Officials 58, National Referees Panel 42).
Player View
Paul Brady (Cavan footballer, and handballer)
Who will win and why? "Kerry because they have too much strength in depth. There has been a lot of talk about Kieran Donaghy in recent weeks but there are so many players that can come in and change the game."
The Donaghy factor? "Mayo have a very good full back in David Heaney who should be able for him but what Donaghy does most effectively is create space for other Kerry forwards. He could ultimately be the deciding factor in the game."
Who do you want to win? I'd love to see Mayo win. I think in the end it will come down to hunger and on that premise there is no reason why Mayo won't be in with a fighting chance. They need to focus on themselves and play to their potential. After that anything can happen in an All-Ireland final."
Finding Croke Park
Ever try to book a taxi on the morning of an All-Ireland final or Dublin football match to Croke Park? Forget it. Ever exit the stadium, with 80,000 other people, in search of a route home? Ever tried to find a reliable parking space? Croke Park are hoping to alleviate these problems by joining forces with Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, Luas and Dart in an effort to get fans to leave the car at home.
The initiative was launched yesterday with a specially commissioned map that shows fans just how easy it is to walk to the stadium either from Dublin city centre, the nearest DART, LUAS or mainline rail station.
All bus routes will also be noted. The Luas line to Heuston Station is essentially a park and ride scheme for punters travelling up from the country. Just leave the car around the Red Cow Inn and hop on. "This is only the beginning of the campaign," said stadium director Peter McKenna. "We would hope to learn a great deal from our pilot scheme this week."
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