The 1985 All-Ireland hurling semi-final between Cork and Galway doesn't show us a sport in rude health. Put off by the weather, only 8,000 people turned up for the match. The concept of the waterlogged pitch evidently wasn't as widespread back then. There were puddles of water everywhere. Every time a lad pulled on the ball, he drenched the man nearest him.
Cork were the reigning All-Ireland champions while Galway were an unknown quantity. Even more so than usual, as they had a raft of young players coming on stream. No one knew what to expect from Pete Finnerty, Tony Keady, Joe Cooney and co.
What followed was a classic Galway semi-final ambush. Cyril Farrell's unheralded outfit beat Cork on the bizarre scoreline of 4-12 to 5-5, kick-starting a new era of success for Galway hurling.
But even in this unmistakably 80s-ish sporting scene, we can see signs of what was to come. Drink bans are seen the scourge of the modern game, borderline sadistic measures being instituted by egotistical bosses. But back in the '80s, teams were cognisant of the power of the drink ban.
Speaking about the '85 game on the Championship Matters preview of the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final between Galway and Cork, Noel Lane gave us the immortal words.
With young lads coming on the block, we older fellas decided we'd give them good example. So, we actually gave up the drink that year. We gave it up on the Tuesday night before the match.
He added for good measure.
I think we'd our last feed of bacon and cabbage on the Thursday so you know we were showing good example to the younger fellas and leadership and that.
We may trace the birth of modern hurling to this day.
