Exactly 50 years have passed since the first penalty awarded in an AllIreland final was converted by Padraig Carney of Mayo as they went down by a single point to Cavan. The event was recalled this week by the Cavan goalkeeper, Des Benson, and he hopes to come face to face again with Carney over the next few days although in calmer circumstances.
Benson cannot recall why the penalty was awarded. The "penalty area" in those days was what is now known as "the small square" but as far as other veterans of the match can remember, the referee was one P J Flaherty from Offaly.
Not surprisingly, Benson remembers that Cavan won an eight-goal final by 4-5 to 4-4.
He was pleased to hear that Carney, then dubbed "The Flying Doctor" because he was domiciled in the United States at the time and would fly back home for the championship matches, is back in Ireland for Sunday's match.
Those given to nostalgia will be pleased to hear that many veterans of the past will gather in Jury's Hotel tomorrow night for a get together. The event is being organised by Dermot O'Brien. O'Brien, it will be remembered, captained the Louth team which won the All-Ireland in 1957 by beating Cork 1-9 to 1-7.
O'Brien still hopes to be able to get a ticket for the match. It would have been thought that former captains, at least, should automatically be entitled to a ticket. Sadly not!
