All-Ireland fans draw a breath after heart-in-mouth moment

And… Breathe. The neutrals may welcome another shot at an All-Ireland hurling final after that stunning draw but can the locals in Kilkenny and Tipperary bear it? Will their hearts be able for that sort of tension again?

As John “Bubbles” O’Dwyer lined up to take that free in injury-time, hearts were in mouths, hands were over eyes, silent prayers were being offered up not just among the ticketed in Croke Park but also across the two counties and anywhere else where Tipp and Kilkenny fans had gathered to watch it.

The atmosphere was especially electric along the “interface” areas, with Kilkenny fans afraid that Bubbles’ free had been nailed and Tipp fans scattered among them in these mixed zones momentarily celebrating before that pesky HawkEye burst their bubble.