Close calls story of our lives: Garvan

AS Paddy Christie waxed lyrical on the Lower Hogan Stand, the Laois players lined up below him desperate for it all to be over.

Joe Higgins and Brian McDonald stood rock-still, eyes glued to an indeterminate spot on the floor. Captain Kevin Fitzpatrick sat slumped picking the grass from his studs. Slaps on the back and words of consolation all failed to find a way into his own troubled thoughts.

Aidan Fennelly knew what Fitzpatrick was going through. The pair are clubmates with Portlaoise and yesterday's agonising loss was their third final defeat in Croke Park inside 12 months. Who would have thought a second-half performance that coughed up 11 points would not be enough to avoid defeat?