The 20-year itch - Football awaits another first-time winner

Dublin's All-Ireland triumph over Kerry in July was the 16th time the counties had met in an All-Ireland final. It also marked the 20th anniversary of a team lifting the Sam Maguire for the first time.

That was Tyrone back in 2003 in their all-Ulster final win over Armagh, who had secured their maiden win the season before, but the thought of a 20th county joining the winning roll of honour feels as far away as ever.

Of the 14 teams that entered last year’s championship season without an All-Ireland title to their name, 10 played in the Tailteann Cup meaning such success is nothing more than a dream at present.

The other four – Monaghan, Westmeath, Sligo and Clare – have two final appearances between them, Clare in 1917 and Monaghan in 1930.

It’s the Oriel County who appear to have the best chance of ending the wait with two Ulster titles and two All-Ireland semi-final appearances in recent times, but they still will enter the new season with a lot of rocky road to navigate if they are to reach the Promised Land.

The current wait for a first-time football winner is not the longest in the history of the association. It was 21 years between the first of three triumphs for Offaly in 1971 [also the last hurling side to lift Liam MacCarthy for the first time back in 1981] and Donegal famously bringing Sam to the Hills in 1992.

A look at the 19 first-time wins in the history of the All-Ireland SFC reveals no-shows due to train strikes, finals not played, incredible speeches, an appearance by Sam Maguire, famous reappearing acts and no shortage of drama.

Tyrone – 2003

A forgettable final, but that mattered little to Tyrone as they defeated holders and bitter rivals Armagh on a 0-12 to 0-09 scoreline. There were some memorable moments