'That’s sport,' says Clonlara boss after deciding not to sub eventual matchwinner

“I’ll tell you the truth; Bryan McLeish, who I owe an apology to, was coming on in place of Diarmuid Stritch," admits Donal Madden.

JUMP FOR JOY: Clonlara manager Donal Madden celebrates a late score.  Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

In the final minute of second-half injury-time, the fourth official’s board went up. A Clonlara substitute. Number 19 in, number 13 off. Bryan McLeish on, Diarmuid Stritch to make way.

Clonlara manager Donal Madden, and he still doesn’t know why, stopped the change. Turning to the rest of his management team, he said he wanted to give 18-year-old Stritch another few seconds.