A day borrowed from the hurling gods

ALL-IRELAND SHC FINAL REPLAY:

The drawn All-Ireland hurling final had been a heart-stopper, fortunes swaying massively from one side to the other in the final, frantic moments. Having never led during the normal 70 minutes, having shown immense courage and character to hang onto Clare’s coat-tails in a game in which they had looked outclassed, Cork had stolen the lead in the first minute of injury-time through a magical Patrick Horgan point, came within seconds of being crowned champions. Then up stepped a most unlikely point-scoring equalising hero for Clare, corner-back Domhnall O’Donovan, his first championship score.

That point was the final exclamation mark in a game that been punctuated by so many; it saved the match for Clare, saved the season for Clare, set up this rematch. And set up an opportunity for another unlikely Clare hero.