It was certainly an eventful day at GAA Headquarters.
After Ballygunner's incredible late goal in the hurling final earlier in the day, few thought the football equivalent between Kilcoo and Kilmacud Crokes would be able to match that one for drama.
However, the two sides served up an absolute classic, with Kilcoo winning their first All-Ireland title in the most dramatic of circumstances.
The Down champions had been on this stage before, losing out to Corofin after extra time back in 2019.
It looked as though they would fall short again on this occasion, trailing Kilmacud by six points at halftime. They would rally back to get within touching distances, and having trailed by two points heading into injury time, they would manage two scores of their own to force an additional 20 minutes of play.
Kilcoo win first All-Ireland title in dramatic circumstances
They once again found themselves behind in the closing stages of extra time, but there were not to be denied. Kilcoo would score a dramatic last minute goal to seal the victory and cap off an incredible day at Croke Park.
Am Breise - 20 nóim
@KilcooGAC 2-08@KCrokesGAAClub 0-13
"Deacair é a chreidiúint!" 🤩🥳
ANOTHER LAST MINUTE GOAL!!!! 😍
@GAA_BEO @officialgaa
#GAABeo | #TheToughest | #GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/yWdNo0kzee— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 12, 2022
Nerves of steel.
Speaking to TG4 after the game, Kilcoo's Eugene Brannigan said the finish to the game perfectly summed up his club.
“Just a typical Kilcoo never say die attitude” 👌👊
Comhghairdeas le Eugene Brannigan @KilcooGAC Laoch na hImeartha inniu! 🥳👏👏
@GAA_BEO @officialgaa @OfficialDownGAA @UlsterGAA
#GAABeo | #TheToughest | #GAA pic.twitter.com/abRnmYqeSO— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 12, 2022
It's unbelievable. It's just the typical Kilcoo 'never say die' attitude. Many a team would have given up in the first half.
We just kept going right to the last, every man getting back and working for each other. Sometimes maybe God is on your side. We worked that hard and get over the line, it's just an unbelievable feeling...
Running in at halftime you were feeling sick because of the last time. A couple of boys just told us the truth, there were no lies told. they just told us to buck up and give it everything we had.
We did that and thankfully we got over the line...
I can't really put it into words, it's unbelievable...
To show the composure after Ryan missing. We had a few goal chances and any other day we would have took them. Everyone was keeping in around and keeping it alive. It's unbelievable, I don't know what to say.
Kilcoo have dominated in their home county over the last decade, but have only found success at provincial level in the last two Ulster championships.
With one All-Ireland now under their belt, you wouldn't back against them adding to that tally in the years ahead...
SEE ALSO: Dessie Hutchinson Gives Tearful Interview After Ballygunner's Dramatic Triumph
