County Final Stats

Paddy Hanrahan holds the record for lifting the cup on four occasions as captain (and also has the distinction, as an accomplished musician, of having a hit record in Ireland’s Top Ten in the 1960’s). Shane Mulligan, Dermot Brady and Frank McNamee all have the distinction of raising the cup on three occasions. Mark Mimnagh (1995) and Daniel Mimnagh (2020) are the only father-son captains to lift the cup. Brothers Dermot (1989) and Niall (1994) Caslin lifted the cup for Longford Slashers, while brothers Enda (2003) and Paul (2009) Barden lifted the cup for Clonguish. Abbeylara’s Cian Brady and Robbie Smyth (2024) are the only joint captains to lift the cup.

Note: Our SFC list begins in 1960 when Seán Connolly cup was first presented.

SFC Man of the Match award was introduced in 1977. The award is named in honour of Fr. Phil McGee from Colmcille who was heavily involved with the Longford teams of the 1960’s and was the first Principal of Moyne Community School. He passed away on 27th January 1975 at the age of 46 years, just a few months after the school opened. Fr. McGee (brother of Eugene McGee) had a big impact on football in Longford at both minor and senior level and the Colmcille club grounds is named in his honour.

Daniel Mimnagh (Killoe Young Emmets, 2014, 2019, 2023, 2025) has won the award four times – more than any other player. Dessie Barry (Longford Slashers, 1989-1991) won it three times, while Padraic Davis (Fr. Manning Gaels 1997, 1998) and Mick Casey (Cashel 1984, 1986) won the award twice. A player from the losing side won the Man of the Match award on two occasions (Brendan Lennon for Killoe in 1987 and Conor Berry for Abbeylara in 2015). The only brothers to win the award are Paul Barden (2004) and David Barden (2009). The 1985 winner John Smith (Mostrim) also had the distinction of being the team trainer that year, while the 2024 winner Robbie Smyth won the award after being sent off in the final.

SHC Man of the Match award was introduced in 2000. The award was originally named the Peter Bannon Memorial Trophy in memory of the former Cashel clubman who died in 2000 and had hurled with Naomh Ciarans and captained Cashel to a Senior Football League & Championship double in 1983. The MOTM award went unnamed for a period in the 2010’s and early 2020’s before a new award was introduced in 2024 in memory of Seán McNally, a former MOTM winner and Wolfe Tones clubman. This is the first time a list of SHC Man of the Match winners has ever been researched and published.

Joe O’Brien from Clonguish Gaels holds the record for winning MOTM five times (2022, 2019, 2013, 2012 & 2005) while Seamus Hannon from Wolfe Tones won it three times (2018, 2016 & 2009) and Seán Browne from Wolfe Tones won it twice (2004 & 2002). All other winners won it once. Joe O’Brien has the sole distinction of winning MOTM on the losing side in 2013. Paul Barden won Man of the Match in both Senior Football (2004) and Senior Hurling (2006) Championship finals – the only player to have won MOTM in both.

* Awards were presented later by the respective clubs.

IFC Man of the Match award was introduced in 1987. The award was originally sponsored by Longford Oil in 1987, then by Greene & Heneghan Tyres from 1988 to 1990, then by Lakeland Daries from 1991 and finally by Mulleady Group since 2009. This is the first time a list of IFC Man of the Match winners has ever been researched and published.

Kevin Mulligan (Mullinalaghta St. Columbas, 2000 & 2007) and Stephen Lynch (St. Marys Granard, 2002 & 2012) have the distinction of winning the Intermediate Championship Man of the Match award twice. Niall Sheridan has the unique distinction of winning Man of the Match in both Intermediate (1994) and Senior (2006) Championship finals – the only player to have won MOTM in both grades, and won one at full-back and the other at full-forward! Kevin and Brendan Lennon from Killoe Young Emmets are the only brothers to have won MOTM awards in different grades – Kevin in Intermediate in 1977 and Brendan in Senior in 1987.

* 1990 records not 100% clear on whether this was MOTM.

U21 Football ‘A’ Championship Man of the Match award was introduced in 1997. The award was originally sponsored by ACC Bank. In 1999 the award was replaced by the new Jimmy Tully memorial trophy in memory of the Fr. Manning Gaels and Longford footballer who lost his life in a road traffic accident in February 1999. The Jimmy Tully memorial trophy has been presented each year since 1999.

Enda McGann (Kenagh) was the first player to win an U-21 Man of the Match award in 1997, while John Fitzpatrick was the first winner of the Jimmy Tully memorial trophy when it was first introduced as the MOTM award in 1999. Donie McKeon (Colmcille, 2002 & 2003), Cian Mimnagh (Dromard, 2007 & 2008) and Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 2024, 2025) each have the distinction of winning the award twice.

(R denotes replay  |  ✚ denotes Clergy)

1960 Clarification: Jimmy Martin from Roscommon was scheduled to referee the 1960 final, however he unavailable on the day and Seán Murray from Carrickedmond took his place. 

Clergymen are shown with the parish they served in at time of the final, or St. Mels College for those worked in the College at the time.

John Dowling from Tullamore was referee for the 1959 SFC final replay. He had previously taken charge of the 1959 All-Ireland Senior Football Final and 1959 All-Ireland Junior Football Final in London and was umpire at the 1959 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final replay. He was also referee for the 1960 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final and the 1960, 1962 & 1968 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship finals. He went on to serve as the 29th President of the Gaelic Athletic Association from 1988 to 1991.

Arnold Meagher was referee for the 1956 SFC final, and by mid 1957 had been ordained a priest, hence Fr. Arnold Meagher was referee for the 1957 decider and departed after the 1957 final to minister in the Sarcramento Valley of California for 15 years. Since Arnold Meagher was not serving in a parish at the time of officiating both finals, he is assigned to his home parish (Drumlish).

Fr. Andrew Lynch was referee for three SFC finals. When the 1927 final took place he was Curate in Carrickedmond, and was still in the parish in 1929, however the 1929 final was not played until March 1930 and Fr. Lynch had transferred to Cashel by then, hence why he appears as C.C. Cashel for 1929 & 1930 finals.

Edward Rhatigan who officiated in the delayed 1904 SFC final was originally from Killashee but lived in Lanesboro at the time of the final.

Derek Fahy was referee for four SFC finals, some as a clubman with his native Ballymahon and some as a clubman with his adopted Ballymore club. 

No SHC from 1908-1931 or 1935-1981. Competition revived in 1982.

No IFC played from 1933 to 1965. Competition revived in 1966.