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1975- 1984
1982
On September 19th 1982, in one of the most famous GAA matches, Offaly denied Kerry a 5th All-Ireland Football title in-a-row with a late Seamus Darby goal. After being sent on as a substitute Darby took a pass from Liam Connor, ran 5 yards and blasted the ball past a stranded Charlie Nelligan into the Kerry goal. Try as they might Kerry could not get an equaliser and Offaly emerged victorious 1-15 to 0-17
1983
On September 18th 1983 during the All-Ireland Football Final between Dublin and Galway a number of near fatal incidents occurred on Hill 16 which prompted calls for the reconstruction of Hill 16.
1984
In 1984 the GAA celebrated their Centenary Year by announcing a Team of the Century, while on May 20th Croke Park played host to a Centenary Tournament in Hurling and Football.
In 1984 the first series of ‘Compromise Rules’ matches were played between Ireland and Australia over three test games. The first test was played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork on October 21st and won by the Australians 70-57. Ireland won the second test 80-76 in Croke Park on October 28th which set up a series decider at Croke Park on November 4th. In front of 32,000 spectators, Australia won the first ever Compromise Rules Series with a final test score of 76-71.