Craughwell's Dara Zimmerer sinks Ardrahan with last-gasp goal

It was a stunning end to what had been a highly attritional and closely-fought contest throughout. The south Galway neighbours couldn’t be separated at the end of normal time, when the score stood at 0-16 apiece. Ardrahan appeared to have the best of the extra-time period, going three points ahead with four minutes to play.

However, Craughwell refused to accept defeat and determinedly clung to their opponents' coat tails, before Zimmerer produced his dramatic match winner in the 83rd minute.

The blues had the best of the opening half in Athenry and took a three point lead into the interval. A very even first quarter saw the teams trade 0-5 apiece. Donagh Fahy (0-3, one free) and Seán Gardiner (two) tallied for Ardrahan, while Ciarán Leen (two frees), Nigel Kelly, Ryan Howley, and Tom Monaghan registered scores for Craughwell.

Ardrahan outscored their opponents by 0-5 to 0-2 during the remainder of the first-half. Donagh Fahy (three), Cian Callanan, and Brian Callanan added to their tally, while Craughwell stayed in touch with two converted frees from Leen.

Cian Callanan extended Ardrahan’s lead early in the second-half, but Craughwell soon raised their game with four consecutive scores. Leen (three frees) and Adrian Prendergast pointed to level the contest at 0-11 apiece.

The sides exchanged 0-5 each during the next 20 minutes. Darach Fahy (two long range frees), Brian Callanan (two frees), and Enda Gardiner added to Ardrahan’s tally, while Ciarán Leen (two frees), Darragh McCartin, Tiernan Leen, and Adam Clarke kept Craughwell on level terms. Thus, extra-time was required in Athenry, after 60 minutes of hurling failed to separate the teams.

Craughwell edged to first period by 0-5 to 0-4. Ciarán Leen landed two frees and a marvellous effort from play, while Clarke and Alan Callanan also chipped in with points. At the other end, Brian Callanan (two frees), Darach Fahy (free), and Alex O’Flynn kept Ardrahan in touch.

Four consecutive Ardrahan scores in the second period, coming from Brian Callanan (three frees), and Michael Gardiner, appeared decisive. However, subsequent points at the other end from Ciarán (free) and Tiernan Leen left the minimum between the sides, as the tension mounted in Kenny Park.

Oisin Slevin’s injury-time point for Ardrahan looked like the insurance score. However, there was still time for another twist in the tale. Ger O’Halloran managed to break inside the Ardrahan defence before passing to the inrushing Zimmerer. The Craughwell forward had a tight angle to contend with but still managed to blast a shot to the roof of the net past Fahy to snatch the most dramatic of victories.

​Craughwell: S O’Halloran; G O’Halloran, M Horan, P Monaghan; R Howley (0-1), A Callanan (0-1), K Molloy: T Monaghan (0-1), T Leen (0-2); D McCartin (0-1), A Prendergast (0-1), C Gilligan; C Leen (0-13, 0-11f), J Ryan, N Kelly (0-1). Subs: C Geoghegan for Horan (inj, 19mins), O Quirke for Gilligan (47mins), A Clarke (0-2) for Kelly (55mins), D Zimmerer (1-0) for Prendergast (70mins), I Leen for P Monaghan (73mins).

Ardrahan: Darach Fahy (0-3f); J Bourke, M Walsh, C Cosgrove; B O’Connor, L Forde, G Forde; C Fahy, A O’Flynn (0-1); E Gardiner (0-1), Donagh Fahy (0-6, 0-1f), C Callanan (0-2); B Callanan (0-8, 0-6f), J Kennedy, S Gardiner (0-2). Subs: E Murphy for O’Connor (inj, 20mins), G Giblin for Kennedy (inj, 32mins), I Lynskey for Giblin (h-t), O Slevin (0-1) for L Forde (44mins), C Walshe for G Forde (45mins), M Gardiner (0-1) for S Gardiner (59mins), L Forde for Lynskey (70mins), S Gardiner for E Gardiner (79mins).

Referee: Dave Earls.