GAELIC GAMES: Toomevara 2-9, Erin's Own 2-8Even Toomevara captain Tommy Dunne, during an acceptance speech that few could have envisaged for most of the match, had to admit a level of bafflement.
"I'm not sure how we won it and I'm not sure if we deserved to," he said, before going on to pay tribute to his club's latest display of escapology in a season when several opponents could have been forgiven for letting minds wander to the prospect of the next round.
Yesterday's AIB Munster club hurling final ended in drama and some controversy, as Erin's Own, clearly better for the first three quarters, watched a nine-point lead evaporate in the final 16 minutes of the match. In fact, it evaporated in nine minutes, as Toomevara scored an unanswered 2-3 between the 45th and 54th minutes.
Injury-time became a tale of two 65s. The Cork side were convinced they should have been awarded one but referee Ger Hoey overruled the umpires and waved for a wide. Almost immediately afterwards at the other end Michael Bevans's attempted point was hauled down by goalkeeper Shay Bowen for a 65, for which Ken Dunne harnessed the wind to convert.
Ah, the wind. The gale that tore down the field had a major impact on the afternoon. Equipped with it in the first half, Erin's Own caused havoc. It must have been demoralising for Toomevara labouring to get any sort of attacking position to see lost possession turning their opponents' defence into attack with one wristy flick.
The two Erin's Own goals were considerably assisted by the wind. In the 10th minute, Bowen came out of goal to collect a Ken Dunne shot and his clearance flew the length of the field for Eoghan Murphy to collect and goal for a 1-2 to zero lead.
Worse was to follow for the Tipp champions three minutes later. Wing back Stephen Cronin raced out of defence and his long probing ball appeared to be deflected into the net off a defender's hurl. Such a wind was clearly worth a lot but how much no one could be quite sure.
At times Toomevara defended well and made it hard for their opponents but mostly their opponents made it hard for their opponents. No fewer than 12 wides rained down on the vicinity of James McGrath's goal and it was no wonder Pat Herbert said his team were happy enough with a seven-point deficit at half-time.
The Toomevara manager could have been happier, though, had a couple of goal chances been taken. Tommy Dunne found himself inside the cover in the 21st minute but with time to pick and make sure, he went for the first- time shot and Bowen saved.
Trailing 0-3 to 2-4 at the break, Toomevara needed a strong start but instead fell further behind. Kieran Murphy, whose barnstorming performance for most of the match was indeed heroic - spoiled perhaps by attempting a goal from a first-half free when the point would have been the better option - scored two points into the wind to stretch the margin to nine.
They coped better against the wind in the third quarter, setting up more convincing attacks than Toome had managed and defended deep in numbers, making it hard for their opponents to get a run on the scoreboard. Brian Corcoran, playing his last match, came out to the 40 for the second half and played even farther back at times, and Erin's Own looked in control.
Then in the 45th minute the match swung on its hinges. Eoin Brislane, whose physique and energy were beginning to impact, drew yet another fine save from Bowen and the ball went for a 65.
Ken Dunne's shot had a flat trajectory and, with the wind behind it, flew into the top-left corner of the net and the margin was down to six, 1-4 to 2-7. Then the pressure climbed for Erin's Own.
Three points followed, nice points from either wing by John O'Brien and Willie Ryan - a companion piece for a miraculous point off the right touchline into the wind in the first half - and a free from Ken Dunne.
In the 57th minute, Erin's Own corner back Shane Murphy had a moment that will haunt him when his hand pass got caught in the wind and held up for Francis Devaney, who passed on to Brislane and his finish was thunderous.
Points were exchanged to set up the dramatic finale.
"It's not over until the final whistle blows," said Herbert, recounting the other occasions this season when his team had looked down and out, and paying tribute to his match-winner. "Ken was coolness personified. Of any man, he'd put it between the posts."
Erin's Own counterpart Martin Bowen was very disappointed and critical of the referee. Asked if he thought his team had deserved that late 65, he replied: "I don't think it. I know it. It was on the television." Describing the referee as "appalling", he added: "Basic standards of fair play were not applied today. But I've no axe to grind with Toomevara and wish them well in the All-Ireland."
TOOMEVARA:J McGrath; D Young, T Delaney, P McGrath; Terry Dunne, B Dunne, J McLoughney; F Devaney, K Dunne (1-4, 1-1 65s, 0-2 frees); M Bevans, E Brislane (1-1), Tommy Dunne (cap, 0-1); P O'Brien, J O'Brien (0-1), W Ryan (0-2).
ERIN'S OWN:S Bowen; P Fenton, P Fitzgerald, S Murphy; S Cronin (1-0), C O'Connor (0-1), P Kelly; K Murphy (capt, 0-4), R Carroll; M O'Connor, M Buckley, C Coakley (0-1); F Murphy, B Corcoran, E Murphy (1-2, one 65, one free).
Referee:G Hoey (Clare).
