1998 O'Byrne Cup

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

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

• players were 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]