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I’d say Tyrone and Armagh back in the noughties was the last non All Ireland final game (not involving Dublin obviously) to pack Croke Park.
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There just isn’t that many big days in the gaa since Dublin became so dominant in football.
The Constant Kilkenny v tipp/Galway for the bones of a decade in the hurling also sucked the life out of it. In fairness to Galway fans they always turned up good and early in big numbers but tipp v Kilkenny was incredibly boring for a finish.
Outside of limerick games the last time I was genuinely thinking this is a big occasion was Waterford v Galway in 2017 and you’d probably have to go back to Clare v cork in the 2013 before that.
I remember tWaterford v kk in an all Ireland semi replay in thurles being an incredible occasion tbf.
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Thing mote became o donoghues about 12 years ago I think …
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To be fair the Semi final weekend in 2019 felt like an occasion as did the Dublin v Mayo football semi that year.
I’d imagine the football final and replay were incredible but I was otherwise engaged those days.
Tipp v Kilkenny became bit boring in the end alright.
That Waterford v Kilkenny 2016 semi final replay under the lights in Thurles would definitely be in my top 5 GAA occasions of the last decade. There was some smell of porter off fellas by throw in and the match lived up to its billing.
How there wasn’t a crush under the Old Stand that night at half time I’ll never know as the guts of 10,000 men charged towards the two small toilet areas. It was madness.
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Outside of Dublin games I’m talking about.
Would have been same for cork Waterford 2017 semi id say
Agree re thurles for that Waterford v kk game.
Outside of limerick games I’d go Kerry v mayo in 2014 just ahead of that Kilkenny v Waterford game.
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There’s nothing quite like a full stadium
Hurling wise 2017, 2018 and 2019 would have had bumper crowds for the semi finals I’d say. Go back to the 90s and the semis would have been a double header. I’ve done a fine bit of matchday dranking in Dublin (and elsewhere) since the glory days arrived anyways.
I think Tipp vs Cork in 2014 had over 70,000 at it.
Don’t think I was ever as ‘motivated’ for a match, than before the '17 semi final against Tipp. I knew it was going to be heart attack stuff and sure enough it was another classic with one of the all time great scores to settle it.
I enjoyed the fuck out of it in Mulligans afterwards.
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Gills is a grand spot, particularly after the 2 pint post match rush eases
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Always found Hogan Stand to serve utter scutter pints that even the transition years in the back of the Cusack Stand would throw out from sheer embarrassment.
A shockingly tasty pint is to be had in Bridge Tavern. Even sorted out a few mates with last minute Hill tickets for the 2018 final through a kind hearted coddle regular.
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Think it was high 60s, decent crowd alright, I was at it - pity about the game!
Wasn’t a huge fan of the pints in the bridge, which was surprising given the number they were throwing out.
Maybe it’s me Mountbellya roots showing but I was in shock at the quality of the pour of me first pint there. A rushed barman, keeping an eye on a local coming down hard off Mitsi all while telling Kilkenny lads to take their Silk Cuts outside.
A barman in utter control of his Serengeti while lads are sinking half water/half Heinken pints in Jurys.
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The Guinness in the Hill 16 bar is 
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Seconded
I’ve never been there.