The 1972–73 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship was the third staging of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1970-71. The championship ran from 1 October 1972 to 24 June 1973.
| Dates | 1 October 1972 – 24 June 1973 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | 33 | ||
| Champions |  Nemo Rangers (1st title)Billy Morgan (captain) | ||
| Runners-up |  St. Vincent'sJimmy Keaveney (captain) | ||
| Tournament statistics | |||
| Matches played | 34 | ||
| Goals scored | 98 (2.88 per match) | ||
| Points scored | 517 (15.21 per match) | ||
| Top scorer(s) | Jimmy Keaveney (2-26) | ||
| Provincial Champions | |||
| Munster | Nemo Rangers | ||
| Leinster | St Vincent's | ||
| Ulster | Clan na Gael | ||
| Connacht |  Fr. Griffin's | ||
| |||
Bellaghy entered the championship as the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa in the Ulster quarter-finals.[1][2]
The All-Ireland final, the first to go to a replay, was played on 24 June 1973 at Semple Stadium in Thurles, between Nemo Rangers and St Vincent's, in what was their first ever championship meeting. Nemo Rangers won the match by 4-06 to 0-10 to claim their first ever All-Ireland title.[3][4][5]
Jimmy Keaveney was the top scorer with 2-26.
Connacht first round
edit| 14 January 1973 First round | Fr Griffin's | 1-07 - 2-03 | Curry | Pearse Stadium |
| G Mahony 0-5, J Flaherty 1-0, D Flynn 0-1, M Newell 0-1. | T Colleary 1-0, A Colleary 1-0, M Durcan 0-1, M Brennan 0-1, O Henry 0-1. |
Connacht semi-finals
edit| 21 January 1973 Semi-final | Ballaghaderreen | 0-08 - 1-03 | Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's | Fr O'Hara Park |
| J Morley 0-6, G Coleman 0-1, S Kilbride 0-1. | D Gannon 1-1, F Duignan 0-1, T Gallagher 0-1. |
| 28 January 1973 Semi-final | Roscommon Gaels | 1-06 - 2-06 | Fr Griffin's | Dr Hyde Park |
| T Donnellan 1-0, M McNamara 0-3, B Penny 0-1, T Keaveney 0-1, T Hunt 0-1. | G Mahony 1-3, M Nolan 0-1, L Salmon 0-1, MJ Keane 0-1. |
Connacht final
edit| 11 February 1973 Final | Fr Griffin's | 1-08 - 0-06 | Ballaghaderreen | Pearse Stadium |
| G Mahony 0-5, M Nolan 1-1, D Flynn 0-1, D O'Shea 0-1. | J Morley 0-4, M Dooney 0-1, J Duffy 0-1. |
Leinster first round
edit| 19 November 1972 First round | Clonguish | 1-08 - 2-07 | The Downs | Bertie Allen Park |
| S Allen 1-0, P Burke 0-3, T Hopkins 0-2, T McCormack 0-2, J Flynn 0-1. | T Cleary 1-3, S Conroy 1-0, D Smyth 0-2, M Carley 0-1, L Eggerton 0-1. |
| 19 November 1972 First round | Carbury | 3-10 - 2-05 | Emo | Weavers Fields |
| K Kelly 3-2, K Connolly 0-4, P Mangan 0-1, M McKeever 0-1, T Moore 0-1, M Moore 0-1. | B Lawlor 2-1, T Browne 0-2, C O'Connor 0-1, C O'Connor 0-1. |
| 19 November 1972 First round | St. Mary's | 3-07 - 2-06 | Seneschalstown | St. Mary's Park |
| B Landy 2-5, T McDonald 1-0, A Courtney 0-1, M McDonald 0-1. | S Carter 1-3, T McDonagh 0-2, O Geraghty 0-1, F Heskin 0-1. |
| 19 November 1973 First round | Baltinglass | 1-07 - 1-04 | Tinryland | Aughrim County Ground |
Leinster quarter-finals
edit| 3 December 1972 Quarter-final | Baltinglass | 3-03 - 1-08 | Ballyhogue | Pearse Park |
| L Norton 1-0, J Cullen 1-0, S Cunningham 1-0, P Burke 0-2, J Wall 0-1. |
| 3 December 1972 Quarter-final | Carbury | 3-10 - 0-05 | Clann na Gael | St. Conleth's Park |
| K Connolly 1-5, T Moore 2-1, P Tyrrell 0-2, M McKeever 0-1, J Farrell 0-1. |
| 3 December 1972 Quarter-final | The Downs | 1-11 - 1-09 | Ferbane | Cusack Park |
| T Cleary 0-5, T Carr 0-4, B Smyth 1-0, D Smyth 0-1, J Henry 0-1. | T McTague 0-8, S Lowry 1-0, L Grogan 0-1. |
| 3 December 1972 Quarter-final | St. Mary's | 0-08 - 0-06 | St. Vincent's | St. Mary's Park |
| J Keaveney 0-4, PJ Reid 0-2, B Mullins 0-1, P Doyle 0-1. | T McDonald 0-2, M McDonald 0-2, B Landy 0-1, J Maguire 0-1. |
Leinster semi-finals
edit| 18 March 1973 Semi-final | The Downs | 3-08 - 2-07 | Carbury | O'Connor Park |
| J McKay 1-2, D Smyth 1-2, M Carley 1-1, J Henry 0-1, T Carr 0-1, T Cleary 0-1. | K Connolly 1-2, K Kelly 1-0, M Moore 0-2, P Ryrrell 0-2, P Mangan 0-1. |
| 25 March 1973 Semi-final | St. Vincent's | 2-16 - 0-09 | Baltinglass | St. Conleth's Park |
| J Keaveney 0-8, D Redmond 1-1, G Keavey 1-1, B Doyle 0-4, T Hanahoe 0-2. | P Burke 0-7, W Wall 0-2. |
Leinster final
edit| 15 April 1973 Final | St. Vincent's | 6-10 - 2-05 | The Downs | Páirc Tailteann |
| D Foley 2-3, J Keaveney 2-2, C Leaney 1-1, D Redmond 0-4, R Doyle 1-0. | L Egerton 2-0, D Smith 0-2, J Henry 0-1, D Murtagh 0-1, M Carley 0-1. |
Munster first round
edit| 4 March 1973 First round | Kilsheelan | 1-05 - 0-11 | Doonbeg | Kilsheelan GAA Grounds |
| J Kehoe 0-5, L Murphy 1-0. | J Griffin 0-4, F Griffin 0-3, P O'Grady 0-2, M Killeen 0-1, E O'Neill 0-1. |
| 4 March 1973 First round | Stradbally | 1-05 - 1-11 | Nemo Rangers | Walsh Park |
| S Ahern 0-5, R Ahern 1-0. | B Cogan 0-4, S Coughlan 1-0, J Barrett 0-3, C Murphy 0-2, L Good 0-1, K Collins 0-1. |
Munster semi-finals
edit| 25 March 1973 Semi-final | Nemo Rangers | 2-09 - 2-07 | Kenmare | Cork Athletic Grounds |
| S Coughlan 1-2, B Cogan 1-0, C Murphy 0-3, D Philpott 0-2, G Noonan 0-1, L Good 0-1. | P Finnegan 1-5, N Sullivan 1-0, F Sullivan 0-1, J O'Neill 0-1. |
| 1 April 1973 Semi-final | Doonbeg | 0-10 - 1-04 | Claughaun | Michael Tubridy Memorial Park |
| F Griffin 0-5, M Kileen 0-2, P O'Grady 0-1, E O'Neill 0-1, P Cotter 0-1. | G McGrath 1-0, M Tynan 0-2, M Graham 0-1, E Cregan 0-1. |
Munster final
edit| 23 April 1973 Final | Nemo Rangers | 3-09 - 0-05 | Doonbeg | Fitzgerald Park |
| D Cogan 2-1, K Collins 0-5, J Barrett 1-1, L Good 0-1, S Coughlan 0-1. | S Griffin 0-4, J Griffin 0-1. |
Ulster first round
edit| 1 October 1972 First round | Glasgow | 2-03 - 4-12 | Clan na Gael | Glasgow |
| 1 October 1972 First round | St Eunan's | 0-10 - 0-10 | Bellaghy | O'Donnell Park |
| J Winston 0-6, L Byrne 0-2, S Ferriter 0-1, M Sweeeny 0-1. | T Quinn 0-3, F O'Loane 0-2, K Cassidy 0-2, T Diamond 0-1, S O'Neill 0-1, L Diamond 0-1. |
| 8 October 1972 First round replay | Bellaghy | 3-10 - 1-13 | St Eunan's | Rossa Park |
| F O'Loane 1-3, S O'Neill 1-1, L Diamond 1-1, K Cassidy 0-2, B Cassidy 0-1, T Quinn 0-1, H McGoldrick 0-1. | J Winston 0-10, M Sweeney 1-0, J Gallagher 0-1, S Ferriter 0-1, P McGowan 0-1. |
Ulster quarter-finals
edit| 8 October 1972 Quarter-final | Crosserlough | 5-09 - 0-04 | Tempo Maguires | Breffni Park |
| H Sheridan 2-0, P Cahill 1-3, T Rehill 0-3, T Brady 0-1, P Boyle 0-1. | S McCusker 0-1, T McPhillips 0-1, D Campbell 0-1, A Campbell 0-1. |
| 8 October 1972 Quarter-final | Clan na Gael | 2-08 - 2-05 | St John's | Lurgan Grounds |
| 8 October 1972 Quarter-final | Castleblayney Faughs | 2-09 - 0-12 | Russell Gaelic Union, Downpatrick | St Mary's Park |
| P McEnerney 2-2, T Loughman 0-2, G Fitzpatrick 0-2, B McDonald 0-1, E Tavey 0-1, D Mulligan 0-1. | P Smith 0-4, P Kelly 0-4, T King 0-3, B Moore 0-1. |
| 5 November 1972 Quarter-final | Bellaghy | 1-05 - 1-07 | Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa | Rossa Park |
| B Cassidy 1-0, K Cassidy 0-2, T O'Loane 0-2, H McGoldrick 0-1. | F McGuigan 0-7, P Devlin 1-0. |
Ulster semi-finals
edit| 5 November 1972 Semi-final | Clan na Gael | 1-05 - 1-05 | Castleblayney Faughs | Páirc Esler |
| B Murphy 1-0, J Smyth 0-2, S Lavery 0-1, J McKenna 0-1, N O'Hagan 0-1. | E Tavey 1-2,G Fitzpatrick 0-1, McKenna 0-1, M Moore 0-1. |
| 19 November 1972 Semi-final replay | Clan na Gael | 5-02 - 0-06 | Castleblayney Faughs | Páirc Esler |
| C McKinstry 1-0, S Laverty 1-0, T McCaughey 1-0, J McKenna 0-1, S Donaghy 0-1. | G Fitzpatrick 0-3, B McDonald 0-1, D Brereton 0-1, N O'Hagan 0-1. |
| 19 November 1972 Semi-final | Crosserlough | 2-08 - 1-07 Declared void | Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa | St Tiernach's Park |
Ulster final
edit| 31 December 1972 Final | Clan na Gael | 0-08 - 1-03 | Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa | St. Mary's Park |
| J Smith 0-3, S O'Hagan 0-2, J McKenna 0-2, P McGennis 0-1. | J Greene 1-0 (og), K Teague 0-2, S Coyne 0-1. |
All-Ireland semi-finals
edit| 29 April 1973 Semi-final | Fr Griffin's | 0-09 - 0-17 | Nemo Rangers | Pearse Stadium |
| G Mahoney 0-8, D Flynn 0-1. | J Barrett 0-6, K Collins 0-4, S Coughlan 0-2, F Cogan 0-2, B Cogan 0-2, B Murphy 0-1. |
| 28 April 1973 Semi-final | St. Vincent's | 2-08 - 0-07 | Clan na Gael | Croke Park |
| C Leaney 1-1, B Mullins 1-0, B Doyle 0-2, J Keaveney 0-2, T Hanahoe 0-1, P Hallinan 0-1, B Pocock 0-1. | M O'Neill 0-6, N O'Hagan 0-1. |
All-Ireland final
edit| 4 June 1973 Final | Nemo Rangers | 2-11 - 2-11 | St. Vincent's | O'Moore Park |
| J Barrett 1-2, K Collins 0-4, L Good 1-0, C Murphy 0-2, S Coughlan 0-2, F Cogan 0-1. | D Foley 1-2, J Keaveney 0-5, C Leaney 1-0, B Doyle 0-2, T Hanahoe 0-1, D Redmond 0-1. | Referee: M Spain (Offaly) |
| 24 June 1973 Final replay | Nemo Rangers | 4-06 - 0-10 | St. Vincent's | Semple Stadium |
| J Barrett 1-1, B Cogan 1-0, S Coughlan 1-0, L Good 1-0, K Collins 0-3, C Murphy 0-1, D Barrett 0-1. | J Keaveney 0-5, PJ Reid 0-3, T Hanahoe 0-2. | Referee: M Spain (Offaly) |
Championship statistics
editTop scorers
edit| Rank | Player | Club | Tally | Total | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jimmy Keaveney | St Vincent's | 2-26 | 32 | 6 | 5.40 |
| 1 | Gerry Mahony | Fr Griffin's | 1-21 | 24 | 4 | 6.00 |
| 3 | Jimmy Barrett | Nemo Rangers | 3-13 | 22 | 6 | 3.66 |
Miscellaneous
edit- St Vincent's won the Leinster Club Championship for the first time in their history. They were also the first team from Dublin to win the provincial title.
- Clan na Gael won the Ulster Club Championship for the first time in their history. They were also the first team from Armagh to win the provincial title.
- The Central Council was spared some embarrassment when the All-Ireland final ended in a draw as there was no trophy available to be presented.
References
edit- ^ "Glory Days for the 'Wee Blues'". The Irish News. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Bruised but unbowed Bellaghy emerge from a tragic history". Irish Times. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Jim (23 February 2008). "Geary enjoying doing things the Nemo way". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "'Our greatest moment' - Billy and Frank, 50 years on from All-Ireland glory with Cork". The 42. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Four previous winners contest AIB Club finals". Hogan Stand. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2024.