All-Ireland's are won by the finest of margins. Only one point separated Galway and Armagh today.
In a 70+ minute game of football, hundreds of small thing accumulate to create the final result. In the end, the differences are so small. The length of the goal post that sent Dylan McHugh's shot wide. The length of Joe McElroy's hand to block an equaliser from Paul Conroy.
Only a point separated both teams in the end on the scoreboard. Galway surely had their chances to win the match. One period of play highlighted the fine margins that separate two teams in big games, and how great coaching can make such a difference.
SEE ALSO: Peter Canavan Sums Up The Harsh Reality Of Galway's All-Ireland Final Defeat
Kieran Donaghy's role in key moment of Armagh All-Ireland win
In their analysis of the All-Ireland, the Sunday Game panel isolated a passage of play in the 62nd minute as the game's turning point. Shane Walsh had claimed a mark just inside his 45, with Galway trailing by one. Galway were having no joy in trying to unlock Armagh's defence and while Walsh left himself a challenging attempt, it was within his range.
As he lined the free up in front of the Hogan Stand and the Armagh sideline, Kieran Donaghy began to gesture to the Armagh defenders near Walsh to raise their hands.
The moment was captured perfectly by Thomas Niblock on BBC commentary, who said Donaghy was jumping up and down on the sideline trying to get a reaction from the Armagh players.
There were four Armagh defenders near Walsh and they all had their hands raised as Walsh lined up his free.
It was a move that Donaghy himself was well-known for during his playing days, a defensive tactic no doubt learned from the basketball court.
1 March 2015; Kerry captain Kieran Donaghy warms up before the game. Allianz Football League, Division 1, Round 3, Kerry v Dublin. Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
Here's exactly how Niblock described the build-up to the kick:
"But Kieran Donaghy in front us is telling his players to start waving. And now all the players are starting to wave.
"That call came from Kieran Donaghy on the sideline. Will that put him off?
(Ball lands in Armagh goalkeeper's hands)
Yes it does.
"That call came from Donaghy on the sideline. He was jumping up and down going bananas on the sideline, tried their best to put him off"
In the end, Walsh's kick landed right into the breadbasket of Blaine Hughes. Armagh countered and Conor Grimley kicked an outrageous score. There'd been a two point swing in a matter of seconds. The game was decided by one score. It was one episode from a chaotic game, but it was proof of the value of coaching.
Walsh did not enjoy his best kicking game on Sunday, and so perhaps he'd have missed either way. However, those small details all add up when champions are crowned.
After the match, Donaghy spoke to John Fogarty of the Irish Examiner and thanked his family for the sacrifices they had made so he could coach with McGeeney these past four years.
"I have four years going up and down two or three times a week, it’s a lot of going. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to my family, Hilary my wife and my three girls there on the pitch afterwards.
SEE ALSO: 'That's What Sport Does To People': Armagh Win Pushed Oisin McConville To The Limit
