The Sunday Game has been a part of our summers for as long as we can remember. While the show has undergone a bit of a makeover in recent years, we may never reach the levels seen in the 1990's.
It was just a different beast. Here's some of our favourite moments.
(This article leans heavily on the Youtube Channel of KillianM2, which is worth losing a portion of your life to.)
Michael Lyster's tan in 1990
Charlie Mulgrew's incredibly baggy jumper at half-time in the 1990 All-Ireland final
Also, he doesn't have a clue what he's doing with that collar. (Also note: the fading of Lyster's tan).
This utterly mental promo for the show in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKHDWfXvRII
Colm O'Rourke's introduction as analyst in 1991
RTE put together a short video clip getting to know their new recruit, Colm O'Rourke. It featured an interview and meander around O'Rourke's hometown, in a clear example of an idea that began with the title:
Marty Morrissey 's introduction to the 1992 Leinster final
Marty has had some classics in the past, including this ahead of the 1992 Leinster football final between Dublin and Kildare.
A sign of Dublin's determination to win the Leinster Championship today is the fact three players line out with broken noses: Tommy Carr, Dave Foran, and Mick Galvin.
The eerie, crop-circle style title sequence in 1992
A not-exactly-efficient ratio of stats: anything else on screen
The days before tickers or various other on-screen graphics.
Kevin Costner turning up to Dublin/Clare at Croke Park in 1992
This was seven years before presenters could be offered an easy Field of Dreams pun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N6H6Kts7aY
Shane O'Rourke's first Sunday Game appearance in 1995
Ending on a song
In 1996, it was the turn of Wexford's Sean "Maradona of the Slaney" Flood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQf-52vSGJI
Pat Spillane's commentary of the '96 brawl
It was the schemozzle to which all other schemozzles aspire, and Spillane's three-minute summary of everything that happened was masterful.
Charlie McCreevey: Better than sex
Before Bertie Ahern would analyse Manchester United the following decade, Charlie McCreevey appeared on The Sunday Game, and left quite the impression.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pPDz9DMGo
This fella cradling a football at Galway's All-Ireland celebration banquet
