The match was a repeat of the previous year's final; however, not only that but a win for Kerry would give them an unprecedented fifth consecutive All-Ireland SFC title.

Kerry were winning by two points with two minutes to go when Séamus Darby came on as a substitute and scored one of the most famous goals of all time in football.

[1] Kerry fumbled the counterattack which allowed Offaly to win by one single point with a score of 1–15 to 0–17.

Professional golfer Shane Lowry said in 2021: "But any time I get the chance to go to O'Connor Park and watch Offaly play, I do and I am the first to give out if they lose and I am sitting in the stand.

1971: Eugene Mulligan, Nicholas Clavin, Willie Bryan, Tony McTague 1972: Martin Furlong, Mick Ryan, Paddy McCormack, Willie Bryan2nd, Johnny Cooney, Kevin Kilmurray, Tony McTague2nd 1973: Mick Ryan2nd, Johnny Cooney2nd, Kevin Kilmurray2nd 1978: Tomás O'Connor 1979: Seán Lowry 1980: Matt Connor 1981: Martin Furlong2nd, Richie Connor, Brendan Lowry 1982: Martin Furlong3rd, Mick Fitzgerald, Liam O'Connor, Seán Lowry2nd, Liam Currams, Pádraig Dunne, Matt Connor2nd 1983: Martin Furlong4th, Matt Connor3rd 1997: Cathal Daly The food company Carroll's of Tullamore has sponsored Offaly since the GAA first permitted shirt sponsorship deals in 1991.