By Niall McCoy

A goal for the ages

TYRONE’S run to a fourth All-Ireland title had many special moments, but one sure to stand the test of time was their second goal in the final against Mayo – the score that all but killed off the challenge of the Connacht outfit. Niall Morgan’s kick-out was brilliantly fetched by Conn Kilpatrick, who played Conor McKenna into space with a hand-pass. The Eglish man raced through, drew Rob Hennelly and with a no-look pass, flicked across goal for Darren McCurry to palm home. The ‘Dazzler’ may be seen as a flair player by some, but check out his lung-bursting run to get into position. One of the great All-Ireland final goals.

Mayo stop Dub’s domination

DUBLIN’S strive for seven looked right on course as they bullied a disinterested Mayo in the first half of their All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park. After half an hour, Mayo trailed 0-9 to 0-2 and it looked like the same old story. They were transformed after the break though and after getting a bit of fortune as Rob Hennelly was given a second chance to take a 45, they forced extra-time. There Mayo took complete control and ran Dublin into the ground to win by three points. Dublin’s discipline disintegrated in those additional 20 minutes, something not associated with the Leinster heavyweights.

A Ballybofey thriller

THE Donegal-Derry rivalry might be one of Ulster’s most famous, but it has been extremely one-sided over the last decade. That was nearly flipped on its head this summer as Rory Gallagher’s side nearly – and really should have – left Ballybofey with a rare win. Donegal would win 0-16 to 0-15 having taken the lead for the first time in additional time. Paddy McBrearty kicked the winner, having spent 70 minutes pocketed by Chrissy McKaigue. Stars like that only need a second. Derry, who looked so well coached, lost this game with the chances they missed, not McBrearty’s point. Benny Heron’s missed goal chance just after the break was crucial as the Derry player slapped against the crossbar when he was presented with an open net. It must be noted that he was under severe pressure from Eoin McHugh.

Armagh and Monaghan end-to-end

THE build-up to this Ulster semi-final in Newry was overshadowed by the death of Monaghan u-20 captain Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh the night before as he travelled home from a game. Nobody was sure how the Oriel players would react but they produced a brilliant performance that would have made Brendan proud. This was a crazy game with Monaghan hitting the net four times in the first half to seemingly certain of the win at the break. The Armagh defence was struggling and it seemed inevitable that more green flags would be raised. However, Kieran McGeeney’s side let loose in the second half and reeled in a seven-point deficit to lead by the minimum late on. Their old Achilles’ heel, tackling, cost them in the final stages though as Monaghan tagged on a few scores to win. It ended Monaghan 4-17 Armagh 2-21 – and it was just pure entertainment.

Niall Morgan from downtown

THE first half of the All-Ireland semi-final between Kerry and Tyrone was an even affair, and it looked like the sides would go in level as Niall Morgan set an ambitious free-kick down just before the interval. That appeared even more likely when referee David Coldrick pushed him further back for stealing a few yards, and Morgan suddenly found himself very close to the halfway line. However, after a six-step run up, Morgan unleashed a monster effort that just sneaked over the crossbar, momentarily confusing the umpire before he reached for his white flag. It meant that the Red Hands led by a point at the break, a good psychological boost.

Daniel Flynn’s goals

KILDARE didn’t exactly pull up many trees this year, but Daniel Flynn did provide a few nuggets for the highlight reel in the Leinster Championship. Moments after a beautiful deft pass set Jimmy Hyland up for a goal in the semi-final against Westmeath, Flynn took possession out on the Cusack sideline and worked a superb one-two with Hyland before cutting in and finishing low to the net. Against Dublin, he turned James McCarthy over out the pitch, raced down the pitch, shook off a challenge and blasted to the corner. Wonderful moments.