'Sometimes it's just the sheer desire' - O'Malley salutes his Cuala heroes 

Cuala had spoken last week of the need to nullify a big opening from the champions. They did that. They spoke at half-time about the likelihood of a “lightning bolt” coming their way. And then it did.

HOW SWEET IT IS: Cuala's Luke Tracey, Cathal O'Giollain and Conor O'Brien celebrate winning. Pic: INPHO/Dan Clohessy

Con O’Callaghan had dug Cuala’s footballers out of many a hole in the recent past. This time the roles were reversed.

Austin O’Malley’s side had only just absorbed the hammer blow of an equalizing Kilmacud Crokes in the Dublin senior football final when their star forward was sent off for an incident that occurred beyond eyeshot of almost everyone at the far end of the ground. Even the TV cameras missed it.