All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1984 - Centenary Year

Centenary Year

1984 was a special year in the annals of Gaelic games as it was the centenary of the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Because of this a series of events celebrating the occasion were planned to take place throughout the year. The festivities were officially launched on 18 March at the Michael Cusack cottage in Carron, County Clare. Ash trees were planted to mark the occasion and a plaque was also unveiled in memory of the founder of the association. The Railway Cup finals were later played in Cusack Park, Ennis.

A £100,000 film was also commissioned by the centenary committee. Made by Louis Marcus the film was designed to be a portrait rather than a chronological history of the GAA.

One of the biggest events during the centenary celebrations was the staging of the All-Ireland final in Semple Stadium, Thurles. It was the first time since 1937 that the championship decider did not take place in Croke Park. The staging of the game in Thurles was a gesture to the cradle-town of the GAA and to the county regarded as 'the home of hurling'.