’Bridge prevail in cut-throat classic

THERE may be a tendency in the GAA to liberally bestow classic status on games, but the rush to throw garlands on this All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final is wholly justified.

The impressive scoring totals do little to convey the sense of excitement and drama that we witnessed in Semple Stadium on Saturday. Over 82 minutes Clarinbridge and De La Salle churned out 53 scores but it was the tingle of excitement that ran like a current through this game of racing emotions that set it apart.

The finale summed it all up. Waterford and Munster champions De La Salle looked to have applied the grace notes to their victory when the talisman John Mullane and substitute Lee Hayes popped up with the points to nudge them into a 1-27 to 2-22 lead. Then twice Clarinbridge rained hopeful high balls into the De La Salle goalmouth and twice the Waterford men steadfastly held firm. Referee James McGrath permitted one last attack and Paul Coen launched a delivery forward where it dropped from a crowd of players to where Clarinbridge star Alan Kerins was lurking.