All-Ireland Football Final - Q&A

Armagh GAA fans are looking forward to watching their team on Sunday

The countdown is on for the All-Ireland football final where Armagh and Galway will compete for the Sam Maguire Cup.

It marks Armagh’s first final in 21 years; the last was when they lost to Tyrone in 2003.

For the first time in 14 years, the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship will not involve Kerry, Dublin, or Mayo.

Whether you are watching from home or in the stands at Croke Park, here's everything you need to know.

When is the All-Ireland football final 2024?

The 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final will take place at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday 28 July, with throw-in scheduled for 15:30 BST.

If the match finishes in a draw at full time, then 20 minutes of extra time will be played, consisting of two halves each 10 minutes in duration.

A replay will take place on 10 August if it is still a tie after extra time.

Where can I watch the All-Ireland football final?

For those not lucky enough to get a ticket for the match in Dublin, the showdown will be broadcast on BBC Two Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Coverage begins at 15:00 BST.

A cast of former All-Ireland winners will contribute to the coverage, such as Oisin McConville (2002 winner with Armagh); Philly McMahon (eight titles with Dublin) and Michael Murphy (Donegal captain in 2012).

You can also listen live on Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds.

Why do Armagh GAA wear orange?

Armagh’s county colours are orange and white.

When the Orchard men played in a Junior All-Ireland Semi-Final against Dublin in 1926, the Dominican nuns of Omeath in County Louth knitted them some orange and white kit.

Prior to that they wore black and amber striped shirts.

Which county has won the most All-Ireland titles?

Kerry are the all-time record-holders of the Sam Maguire Cup and have won on 38 occasions.

Dublin is currently in second place with 31 All-Ireland victories.

Dublin are the current title holders after beating Kerry in the All-Ireland final in 2023.

Last year's victory was Dublin's first win since 2020.

The Sam Maguire cup was modelled on an early Irish Christian chalice

Who was Sam Maguire?

Samuel “Sam” Maguire was born in West Cork in 1887 and was an Irish republican and Gaelic footballer.

At the age of 20, he moved to London and joined the British Army.

Maguire captained the London Hibernians team that made it to many All-Ireland finals in the early 1900s throughout his time in London.

He went into the administration in London GAA in 1907 and became the chairman of the London County Board and a delegate to the GAA’s Annual Congress.

Later, he became a trustee of Croke Park.

In 1925 he returned to Cork and developed tuberculosis (TB) and died in 1927 at the age of 49.

After his death in 1927, a group of Sam Maguire’s friends commissioned a cup to commemorate the dedicated Gael, who had given a lifetime of service to the GAA.

The Sam Maguire Cup was designed and presented to the GAA in 1928 in his honour.