Golden Moments
Revisiting GAA's most memorable highlights
In every sport, there are some moments that go beyond the final whistle. In Ireland, the GAA has delivered countless such memories — ones that have etched themselves in history and helped to expand further the significance of the Gaelic games.
Though there are plenty of highlights, from historic breakthroughs to technical brilliance, we're looking back at six of the most unforgettable moments that have cemented themselves in the soul of GAA history and hear from senior All-Ireland players on how golden moments continue to shape the game.
1995 – Clare ends an 81-year wait
On September 3, 1995, Clare stepped onto the pitch to face reigning champions Offaly in the All-Ireland Hurling Final. What followed was a nail-biting contest between two determined teams, but in the end, Clare emerged victorious.
It was much more than a simple win.
Clare’s victory ended an 81-year wait since their last All-Ireland hurling title in 1914.
2011 – Cluxton’s winning free
For over a decade, Dublin had fallen short in their All-Ireland title pursuits. That changed in 2011 in a tense final against Kerry.
Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton stepped forward to take a 45-metre free.
The ball sailed between the posts, securing Dublin’s first All-Ireland title since 1995. Cluxton also became the first goalkeeper to score a winning point in an All-Ireland final.
2013 – Galway’s camogie final success
Over the years, Galway camogie has made headlines due to their team performance and top talent but 2013 is definitely a year that stands out as a memorable moment.
In 2013, Galway emerged as the All-Ireland champions for a second time after defeating Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship. This was a particularly memorable win as it was Galway’s first All-Ireland title win since 1996, marking the end of a 17-year wait and five final losses.
2016 – Cork Ladies 11th title in 12 years
In recent years, visibility for women in sport has grown rapidly, and in Ireland, Ladies GAA has played a significant role in this shift. One of the most defining moments came in 2016, when the Cork ladies’ team faced Dublin in the LGFA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final.
The Rebelettes managed to win by a single point, clinching a six-in-a-row streak and their 11th title in 12 years. It was a true showcase of consistency in front of 34,445 fans at Croke Park and an absolute golden chapter in the legacy of the Cork ladies’ football team.
2017 – Joe Canning’s miracle shot
The 2017 All-Ireland Hurling semi-final saw Galway and Tipperary go head-to-head.
Joe Canning collected possession near the sideline under the Cusack Stand. From a near-impossible angle, he fired a shot, and the ball split the posts. Galway won.
Canning’s point can be seen as a masterclass in skill under pressure. It’s a clip that continues to circulate, often cited as one of the greatest points ever scored in championship hurling.
2020 – Dublin’s six-in-a-row in an empty stadium
The 2020 All-Ireland final was unlike any before it. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the final between Dublin and Mayo was played behind closed doors at an eerily empty Croke Park in December.
Without fans, the atmosphere was surreal, but this did not influence the standard of play. Dublin won the match, securing their sixth All-Ireland title in a row and writing themselves further into the GAA history books.
Golden moments aren’t just about titles.
They’re about growth, turning points and sometimes, even mistakes.
Seasoned Galway senior footballers Paul Conroy and Michael Meehan have had their share of highs and heartbreaks, and both reflect on the memories that still stand out today.
For Paul, one unforgettable moment came in 2007 when Galway beat Kerry to win the All-Ireland Minor final in Croke Park.
“It was very special playing with your friends and as well as that I was captain… that was really special. It also kind of gave you the taste of success that you’re chasing then at senior level all the time.”
For Michael Meehan, it’s a moment of reflection that lingers most clearly. He recalls the 2008 All-Ireland quarter-final against Kerry.
“We were here against Kerry in an Ireland quarter-final, and we played out a belter of a game. Kerry won in the end, and I think it has the key feature of being the first time the floodlights were actually turned on here in Croke Park.”
But there’s one moment in the back of my head in the second half. I know I hop it and it gets away from me because the ground has gone so wet. In hindsight, I didn’t need to hop that,” Michael said.
“That’s the kind of thing that takes me back that maybe if I just played that differently, I might have got a score, maybe could have got us over the line, who knows.”
Meehan’s reflection is a reminder that not all golden moments end with medals. Some carry lasting lessons that shape an athlete’s outlook.
The GAA has undergone significant changes, particularly in how players prepare, train and recover. Paul Conroy notes just how far things have come since his senior debut.
“I think an awful lot has changed. The professionalism, the amount of strength and conditioning, nutrition, and analysis have all really ramped up.
It’s a completely different game now. You’re looking at things like nutrition and how important that is and recovery. I think all of the mass aspects of the game have really heightened… and it’s going to keep going that way.”
That level of preparation, he explained, is key to staying in the game and staying sharp.
“It’s definitely having the mindset to really look after yourself and to get the body right for training. I’d be big on recovery and looking after my physical and mental health because it’s all tied in.”
In celebration of the Solgar and GAA/GPA partnership, you now have the chance to win
THE ULTIMATE CROKE PARK EXPERIENCE
The winner will be treated to a private tour of the stadium, including the Skyline tour, meet a GAA legend, and enjoy lunch in one of the suites overlooking the stadium.
Ends 23:59 on 10 August 2025
* T&Cs apply
Solgar Golden Moments Prize Draw – FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. Promoter
The Promoter is Solgar Ireland Nestlé Health Science, 3009 Lake Drive, Citywest, Dublin, Dublin 24, in partnership with Independent News & Media (INM), 27–32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1, D01 X2E1.
2. Eligibility
The promotion is open to residents of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland aged 18 years or over, excluding employees and immediate family members of the Promoter, INM, the GAA, GPA, or any third-party agencies directly connected with the promotion.
3. Entry
To enter, participants must correctly answer the prize draw question provided and submit the online entry form with their first name, last name and email address via the official Irish Independent landing page. Only one entry per person is permitted. No purchase necessary.
4. Promotional Period
The promotion opens at 00:01 on July 4th 2025 and closes at 23:59 on August 10th 2025. Entries received outside this time will not be valid and will not be included in the prize draw.
5. Prize Details
One winner will receive the following prize: A family pass for four to include:
• Private tour of the stadium
• Skyline tour
• Meet a GAA legend
• Lunch in the stadium overlooking the pitch
• Signed GAA jersey
The prize is non-transferable, and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if required.
The prize is redeemable between September 2025 and August 2026 and is subject to availability and at the discretion of the prize providers.
The Promoter is not responsible for the acts or default of third-party suppliers but will endeavour to resolve any issues that may arise.
The Promoter and its associated agencies and companies will not be liable for any loss (including, without limitation, indirect, special or consequential loss or loss of profits), expense or damage which is suffered or sustained (whether or not arising from any person’s negligence) in connection with this promotion or accepting or using the prizes, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law (including personal injury, death and fraud) in which case that liability is limited to the minimum allowable by law.
6. Winner Selection
The winner will be selected at random via an independently verified process from all correct and valid entries received during the promotional period. The prize draw will take place on or around August 11th. The winner will be contacted by email within five (5) working days of the draw via the email address provided in their original entry.
The Promoter will make reasonable efforts to contact the winner, however, if the winner has not responded to notification within fourteen (14) days and after three attempts, or if a selected winner is ineligible, or otherwise in breach of these Terms and Conditions, or unable to take up the prize for any reason, the prize entitlement will be withdrawn, and the prize will pass to a reserve winner drawn at the same time as the original winner. If the reserve winner cannot be contacted within 14 days and after three attempts, or cannot take up the prize, the prize entitlement will be withdrawn. The process will be repeated until a valid winner can be found from the reserves. However, if after the three reserves have been tried and the prize has still not been awarded, the Promoter reserves the right to cancel the prize completely and withdraw it from the promotion, however, every effort will be actioned to allow the prize to be awarded.
7. Age Verification
Entrants may be required to provide valid proof of age before a prize is awarded. Entries from individuals under the age of 18 will be disqualified.
8. Publicity
By taking part in the promotion the prize winner agrees that the Promoter may contact them to ask for their consent as to whether they want to participate in reasonable marketing activities and publicity relating to the promotion. Such publicity may include, without limitation, the entrants’ name and/or if consent given, image or statements made by entrants concerning the promotion and/or prize obtained as part of the promotion. The winner is not obliged to agree to any such request.
9. Data Protection
The Promoter will only use the personal details supplied for the administration of the promotion and the auditing of the entries where necessary and for no other purpose, unless we have your consent/you have opted-in to receive future marketing communications. The surnames and counties of residence of verified winners will be made available as set out in the relevant clause above and winners can object to this by emailing solgarinfo@solgar.com. Otherwise, your personal details will at all times be kept confidential and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 as applicable. See https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/privacypolicy for the Promoter’s Privacy Policy. You can request access to your personal data, have any inaccuracies rectified or request deletion of personal data by sending an email to solgarinfo@solgar.com By participating in the promotion, you acknowledge to the use of your personal data as described here. You can withdraw your consent at any time. For the purpose of this promotion, requests to delete personal data can only be actioned after the promotion has concluded and the winner(s) accepted their prize. Any data obtained via this promotion will be deleted three (3) months after the promotion end date with the exception of the winner(s) and reserve(s) whose data will be deleted after fulfilment of the prize(s).
10. Winner’s List
Subject to the Promoter’s Privacy Policy, which can be found at https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/privacypolicy the winner’s surname and county of residence will be available by sending an email request to solgarinfo@solgar.com with ‘WINNERS’ LIST: SOLGAR GAA IRELAND PRIZE DRAW’ in the subject line, for a period of three (3) months following the closing date of the promotion. When contacting this email address, requests will be actioned in line with the Promoter’s Privacy Policy and the Promoter reserves the right to refuse any or all such requests. If any winner objects to their information being published, then they can contact the Promoter by emailing solgarinfo@solgar.com with the subject line ‘SOLGAR GAA IRELAND PRIVACY REQUEST’. The Promoter may nevertheless disclose the information to the Advertising Standards Authority if required to do so. Personal information provided will be used solely for the purposes of administering the promotion and contacting the winner, unless the entrant has opted in to receive future marketing communications. Data will be processed in accordance with GDPR and Solgar’s Privacy Policy:
11. Marketing Consent
Marketing communications will only be sent to entrants who actively choose to opt in. Opting in is not a condition of entry and all entrants will be treated equally. You may unsubscribe from marketing at any time using the link provided in any email.
11. Right to Cancel or Amend
The Promoter reserves the right to cancel, suspend or amend the promotion or these terms and conditions, if necessary, due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control. If, for any reason, any aspect of this promotion is not capable of running as planned, including by reason of infection by system virus, network failure, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other cause beyond the control of the Promoter which corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this promotion, the Promoter may in its sole discretion cancel, modify or suspend the promotion or invalidate any affected entries. If an act, omission, event, or circumstance occurs which is beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter and which prevents the Promoter from complying with these Terms and Conditions the Promoter will not be liable for any failure to perform or delay in performing its obligation but will always endeavour to minimise the effect to participants in order to avoid undue disappointment.
12. Social Media Disclaimer
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform.
13. Promoter’s Decision
The Promoter’s decision in all matters relating to the promotion is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
14. Governing Law
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Ireland and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts.
If any of these clauses should be determined to be illegal, invalid, or otherwise unenforceable then it shall be severed and deleted from these Terms and Conditions and the remaining clauses shall survive and remain in full force and effect.
Promoter/’we’: Solgar Ireland, 3009 Lake Drive, Citywest, Dublin, Dublin 24 in partnership with Independent News & Media (INM), 27–32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1, D01 X2E1.
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