Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin 0-08 v 0-09 An Cheathru Rua (Galway)
There was heartbreak for Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin, as a last-second score saw them fall to a one-point defeat in the All-Ireland Junior Football Final against An Cheathru Rua at Croke Park.
In a game which came down to its very last kick, the men from Muff can hold their heads high after a stellar performance that saw them level the tie just as the game struck the hour mark.
An even start saw both sides notch two scores in the opening minutes, the Galway side firing numerous shots wide of the post as they initially controlled the flow of the match.
Naomh Padraig found more consistency in their shooting as the half went on, taking a 0-05 to 0-04 lead into the half.
An Cheathru Rua had rued their missed opportunities in the first period, and would further as Naomh Padraig took their opportunities to open the lead to 0-07 to 0-05 in the first ten minutes of the second half.
The Muff side’s progress would be slowed as the game went on, and An Cheathru Rua found their shooting boots, levelling the game with two quick scores.
Neither side would score for a tense final fifteen minutes of regulation time, before An Cheathru Rua’s Padraig MacCormac knocked over a free to give them the lead as the game hit the sixtieth minute.
Cometh the hour and cometh the man for Naomh Padraig however, as star man Caolan McColgan found an instant equaliser with a brilliant point as the game entered added time.
A frantic spell of added time saw the ball travel up and down the length of the Croke Park pitch, and as Naomh Padraig had calls for a free at one end shouted down, it was Fionan Ó Conghaile in the fifth and final minute of added time who won the game for the Galway side and broke Muff hearts.
Naomh Padraig can still hold their heads high though, after a historic run to the club final and a day out in Croke Park to remember for some years to come.
