There were emotional scenes on the Kilmallock sideline when referee Barry Tiernan blew his final whistle and confirmed Oughterard’s spot in the All-Ireland Club IFC final.

Kevin Downes was listed as number 24 in the match programme for Sunday’s Limerick senior hurling championship final. He has been in and out of the action all year due to injury. And the county player admitted afterwards it was touch and go right up to the throw-in whether he would be fit to play with Na Piarsaigh in the decider against Patrickswell.

Every hurling county has its renowned clubs. Tullaroan, Mooncoin, Mount Sion, Toomevara, Thurles Sars, Cork’s big trio of Glen Rovers, Blackrock and St. Finbarr’s, all roll off the tongue.

Our Lady’s Secondary School from Belmullet in Mayo snatched victory in the dying minutes to knock reigning champions Coláiste Íosaef, Kilmallock out of the All-Ireland.