Former Dublin goalkeeper and manager Paddy Cullen dies aged 80

Former Dublin goalkeeper and manager Paddy Cullen has died at the age of 80 after a long illness.

One of the best-known figures in the game, the O'Connell Boys club man enjoyed 13 years between the sticks for the Boys in Blue after making his debut in 1966.

He would win three All-Ireland titles and four All-Star awards as part of the swashbuckling 'Heffo's Army' that rejuvenated the game in the capital.

Many believe his penalty save from Galway's Liam Sammon in the 1974 decider - Dublin won 0-14 to 1-06 - paved the way for the start of a glorious era for the squad as they went on to win two of the next three All-Ireland titles, while reeling off six successive Leinster titles.

He retired in 1979 after Dublin's crushing defeat to Kerry.

Cullen is arguably best known for his part in one of the most iconic goals in GAA history at the height of the Dublin/Kerry rivalry.

Bidding for a third successive All-Ireland title, Kevin Heffernan's side were leading by a point late in the first half when Cullen was adjudged to have picked the ball off the ground.

While his goalkepeer was protesting his innocence, team-mate Robbie Kelleher handed the ball to Kerry free-taker Mikey Sheehy, who spotted his opportunity and audaciously kicked the ball over a back-pedaling Cullen into the empty goal.

"Paddy dashed back towards his goal like a woman who smells a cake burning," Con Houlihan famously wrote in his match report as Kerry dashed the three-in-a-row hopes.

It wasn't Cullen's last act for the Dubs however, as he returned for his swansong in 1979.

A sixth successive All-Ireland final was reached, but the Kingdom romped to victory in the decider. Cullen's performances throughout the season were recognised when he picked up his fourth and final