Kildare SFC Final/ Sarsfields 0-11 St Laurence's 1-8: So there's still nothing like a county final to produce such a wild, hysterical ending to a 60-minute game.
Yesterday's Kildare football final couldn't provide a decisive result but it threw up just about everything else - including a frantic beginning, a constantly changing current, and ultimately a draw.
It means Sarsfields and St Laurence's will return to Newbridge next Sunday for the rematch, and no one in yesterday's crowd - which swelled to over 6,000 - will want to miss it. Just as St Laurence's were poised to make history and win their first county title, Sarsfields ended the dream for at least another seven days. As heartbreaking as it was for the outsiders, Sarsfields probably got what they deserved.
County player Pauric Brennan was on the field for less than a minute when he kicked the equalising free, and with that referee Mick Monahan called time. The pressure was immense, but his effort from about 30 metres out and right of the goal coolly sailed between the posts.
Brennan just recently returned from UN duty, and his contribution proved priceless for Sarsfields.
For much of the game Sarsfields were in a winning position, and looked a safe bet to take their 21st title. With just over 10 minutes left they were up 0-9 to 0-5, and with both teams now playing with 14 men, it was hard to see a way back for St Laurence's.
Sarsfields were down to 14 men after just five minutes when corner back Nigel Campbell was shown a straight red card for punching a cluster of opposing players. Yet St Laurence's never quite capitalised on that advantage, and instead it took the loss of wing back Eddie Kearney for a far-less-deliberate foul early in the second half to spark their most determined passages of play.
Substitute Shaun Fahy, just turned 17, swiftly imposed himself on the game and on 49 minutes set up Barry Mackey's point - which reduced the gap to three. Seconds later Tommy O'Neill added another, and while it seemed as if St Laurence's were merely keeping the game alive, they in fact harboured far greater ambitions.
Sarsfields were finding it harder to hold on to possession. Dermot Earley had lorded midfield but seemed to run out of steam, while centre forward Morgan O'Sullivan - who hit four fine points - seemed to lose focus. But St Laurence's had raised their game.
Corner back Mark Byrne was unlucky not to finish off an impressive combination of passing with a goal when his fisted effort was saved, but Pádraig O'Neill's free on 55 minutes did reduce the gap to the minimum. Suddenly the rural club were set to topple the townspeople, and had the majority of supporters on their side.
Still, the nerves were showing, and by giving possession and soft frees away, the St Laurence's players didn't do themselves any favours.
But only for so long: with visible intent, St Laurence's worked the ball up the field, starting with Fahy. Aaron Flood passed off to Pádraig O'Neill, and he played the ball off to Lawlor - who promptly blasted his shot past Gavin Slicker. At 1-8 to 0-10 it was as good as a winner.
The clock read 60 minutes, but with three minutes to be added Sarsfields still had their chance. Unfortunately for Lawlor, he was guilty of picking the ball off the ground and Monahan noticed. Up stepped Brennan as cool as the breeze and without blinking sliced the posts.
It's possible that St Laurence's will learn more from this. A year ago they lost to Allenwood in what was their first final, so with double the experience behind them they should be in a better position to unsettle Sarsfields the next time out. They started well yesterday, with Lawlor hitting the opening score after 60 seconds.
When things soon got physical - ending with Campbell's red card - it was easier for Sarsfields to overpower their youthful opponents. Sarsfields had eased themselves into a comfortable position, closing out the half 0-6 to 0-4 in front after a more balanced performance. If such youth can learn from that, however, then they may yet have the upper hand on experience.
SARSFIELDS: G Slicker; N Campbell, M MacIntyre (capt), M Dunne; C Duffy, L Sex, N Hedderman; D Earley, A Barry; G White, M O'Sullivan (0-4), P Campbell (0-1); A Smyth (0-1), C Dempsey (0-3), M Browne. Subs: David Earley for Smyth (42 mins), S McKenzie Smith (0-1) for White (55 mins), E Freaney for Browne (56 mins), P Brennan (0-1, free) for David Earley (60 mins).
ST LAURENCE'S: P Keatley; K O'Brien, P Kearney, M Byrne; E Kearney, D Grufferty, A Flood; I Keatley (0-1), D Kelly (capt); JP Byrne, B Mackey (0-2, one free), T O'Neill (0-3); R Lawler (1-1), P O'Neill (0-1, a free), D Lawlor. Subs: S Fahy for Byrne (43 mins), D Gallagher for Lawlor (47 mins).
Referee: M Monahan (Raheens).
