G.A.A: ALL IRELAND HURLING FINAL Official Programme for the 1960 All Hurling Final. Wexford v Tipperary

Dublin: Croke Park, 25th September 1960: Coloured stapled wrappers. In very good condition.

The 1960 All-Ireland Football Final, held on September 25th at Croke Park, was contested between Down and Kerry. It was a landmark occasion in GAA history, as Down were appearing in their very first All-Ireland final. Kerry, on the other hand, were seasoned champions, boasting a rich tradition and numerous titles. However, it was Down who would make history.

In front of a massive and expectant crowd, Down played with incredible energy, precision, and confidence. Their style was modern, fast-paced, and tactically sharp — a shift from traditional play — and it caught Kerry off guard. Led by inspirational performances from James McCartan and Paddy Doherty, Down stunned the favourites and dominated much of the match.

Down emerged victorious with a scoreline of 2–10 to 0–8, becoming the first team from Northern Ireland to win an All-Ireland Senior Football title. Their triumph was a watershed moment in GAA history, not only for their county but also for Ulster football as a whole. It inspired a new generation of players in the province and changed perceptions of where football excellence could emerge.

Today, memorabilia from the 1960 final — especially match programmes, autographs, and photographs — are highly collectible, marking a defining moment in Irish sporting history.

[WR Sport]