SEÁN MORANtalks to men who have been there and done that
1960: Seán O'Neill (Down)
MEMORYWhen we arrived on the pitch the roar of the crowd was unbelievable, like waves of electricity going through us. As for the final itself we were as they say now "in the zone", very focused and not afraid of the game. We weren't there to put up a good show. I remember Mick O'Connell took the last kick, a free, and I caught it on the 21-yard line. I still have the ball.
COMPARISON WITH THE MODERN GAMEThe major difference is possession - you don't give it up. The team with the ball has the advantage and fitness levels are unbelievable. There used to be a lot more drama in the game, which was a contest between individuals because the ball was in the air a lot. It was probably more attractive for spectators but I don't have any problem with the modern game.At this stage of the season it's a lottery but Kerry - or the team that beats them.
YOUR COUNTY IN 2010Down are at the beginning of a process. James McCartan has done a remarkable job of blending them together. Developing individuals into teams is one of his great skills. We're maybe not ready for a major assault this year but momentum builds quickly in Down squads.
ALL-IRELAND WINNERS 2010At this stage of the season it's a lottery but Kerry – or the team that beats them.
1970: Tom Prendergast (Kerry)
MEMORYThat year the final was played over 80 minutes for the first time. My mind was so used to the 60 minutes that after an hour when we were leading I remember thinking: "You'd like it to be over now." I'd a good game and got the Texaco award that year. You need the assistance of your colleagues to win things like that.
COMPARISON WITH THE MODERN GAMEPreparation is so much more professional with psychologists and nutritionists, etc. Players are treated far better although, by the standards of the day, we weren't treated badly. The game is way faster and in our day you held your position, had a square and played there. I watched a video of then and thought it wouldn't be as attractive today.
YOUR COUNTY IN 2010 We're in transition at the moment. Apart from Cork there are no stand-out teams. It's difficult to see Kerry replacing the players they've lost in one year although Kieran Donaghy is back and playing well. We'll be there or thereabouts.
ALL-IRELAND WINNERS 2010Hard to say. Cork were the only form team in the league and they didn't have all their players.
1980: Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry)
MEMORYRoscommon were a tight defensive team and set out a physical game plan to contain us. They started so well and scored 1-2 early on and we were there for the taking but they were too cautious. Eoin Liston got appendicitis just days before the game and our forward division lost its shape. Tim Kennelly's display at centre back was probably the difference.
COMPARISON WITH THE MODERN GAMEIt was a longer game back then. People were inclined to go for distance rather than possession and there were more scoring opportunities. I think we would still compete on fitness in the modern game but the overall standard is much higher now. Nearly all teams are well organised and sports science and statistical analysis are used by everyone. There's another year in this Kerry team.
YOUR COUNTY IN 2010I think we've got to try and win Munster this year rather than going through the qualifiers. Players are getting older and have to mind themselves more. That's why the game against Cork in Killarney is so important compared to other years. They've still an extraordinary attitude to winning.
ALL-IRELAND WINNERS 2010There's another year in this Kerry team.
1990: Niall Cahalane (Cork)
MEMORYWe beat Mayo in 1989 but we had to get another crack off Meath. They'd beaten us in two finals and I remember Billy (Morgan) asking us to pray they got to the final. The hurlers had come out of nowhere to win the All-Ireland so the public wanted the double. It wasn't great football but it was the most focused display we ever gave.
COMPARISON WITH THE MODERN GAMEThe game's still amateur, but so close to professional commitment that the fun appears to have gone out of it. Players are faster and better built and there's a new level of fitness. The amount of gym work we did was minimal and we didn't really know what we were doing. I don't believe there was as much tactics in our day.
YOUR COUNTY IN 2010We'll be up there with Kerry and Tyrone, although I wouldn't like to see Cork going around the country in the qualifiers. I'm not sure we'd go around the venues as well as Kerry have done. With three or four debutants I wouldn't like to see us taking that route.
ALL-IRELAND WINNERS 2010I'd like to think that Cork will be champions and they have the ability to be . . . I'm just not sure.
2000: Dara Ó Cinnéide (Kerry)
MEMORYWe should have lost the drawn game but Galway didn't take the chances. Early in the replay we got a 45 and with the pitch at that time it was very hard to find a good spot. I took it a yard outside and Kevin Walsh caught it over the crossbar.
That was how the move for Declan Meehan's goal started. So the yard did make a difference. But after that we were in control.
COMPARISON WITH THE MODERN GAMEEven in the five years since I retired the pace has gone up and I remember in the 2005 final feeling that the pace had gone beyond me. But the sustained levels of speed now have pushed the bar even higher. There's such a premium on possession that losing the ball is now criminal and you're punished more if you give the ball away so there's less cross-field passing.
YOUR COUNTY IN 2010Cork are the only team with a rising graph at the moment. Mind you I was talking to someone in Mayo who said if Kerry win again this year the rest of the country might as well give up. I think Tommy Walsh is a huge loss but while Jack O'Connor's on the sideline Kerry have a right good chance.
ALL-IRELAND WINNERS 2010Right now it would be churlish not to say Cork - even at the risk of being accused of being cute.
