1998 O'Byrne Cup

The 1998 O'Byrne Cup was a Gaelic football competition played by the county teams of Leinster GAA.

1998 O'Byrne Cup

Tournament details
Province	Leinster
Year	1998
Trophy	O'Byrne Cup
Date	4 January — 22 March
Teams	12
Winners
Champions	Offaly (6th win)
Manager	Tommy Lyons
Captain	Finbarr Cullen
Runners-up
Runners-up	Louth
Manager	Paddy Clarke
Other
Matches played	12

The tournament was a straight knockout, with 12 teams. New rules were tested:

• players cautioned for any pushing, pulling or holding of an opponent
• two referees (in some games)
• five substitutes
• picking the ball off the ground permitted, so long as the player's feet are on the ground
• "mark" or free kick for an overhead catch from a kick-out
• solo run limited to one hop or one "solo"[1]

Offaly were the winners, scoring two late goals to defeat Louth in the final at Drogheda Park.[2]

Results

	First Round 4/10/11 January 1998[3][4][5][6]					Quarter Finals 18/25 January 1998[7][8]					Semi Finals 31 Jan / 8 Feb 1998[9][10][11]					Final 22 March 1998
	Wicklow (replayed)		0-9 3-4
	Meath		0-9 0-12			Carlow		1-7
						Wicklow		2-11
											Wicklow		1-5
	Westmeath		1-21								Offaly		0-13
	Kilkenny		0-4			Offaly		0-9
						Westmeath		0-6
																Offaly		4-7
	Kildare		1-8													Louth		2-7
	Louth		1-11			Wexford		0-11
						Louth		2-6
											Louth (AET)		0-17
	Dublin		0-11								Dublin		0-14
	Longford		0-6			Laois		0-6
						Dublin		1-17

References

1. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rule-changes-to-be-tested-in-cup-games-1.138700
2. "Offaly strike late to retain O'Byrne Cup". Independent.ie.
3. "Sportsfile - Longford v Dublin - O'Byrne Cup - 004707". www.sportsfile.com.
4. "Carr gets over first hurdle". Independent.ie.
5. "O'Reilly goal sparks off landslide". Independent.ie.
6. "Meath storm back". Independent.ie.
7. "Westmeath attack lets Offaly off hook". Independent.ie.
8. "Louth book date with Dubs". Independent.ie.
9. "GAA Digest". Independent.ie.
10. "O'Brien overshadows end of Carlow `strike'". Independent.ie.
11. https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1998/0209/Pg031.html