Amid all the furore surrounding Ireland's Grand Slam victory in Twickenham, you could be forgiven for overlooking the fact that two All-Ireland finals were played out in Croke Park this afternoon.
In the earlier game, Corofin overcame Nemo Rangers in a convincing fashion; the football title returning to Corofin for the third time.
In the hurling however, a contest between the reigning champions Cuala, and the 2016 winners Na Piarsaigh, went right down to the wire - and will go further again.
The game finished 1-22 to 2-19.
With neither side ever stepping too far ahead of their opponents on the score-board, it was Na Piarsaigh that had initially looked to conclude a spectacular week for Limerick hurling.
A tight affair from beginning to end, it was Peter Casey who had appeared to have the deciding say; his well-taken goal at the beginning of the second-half giving Na Piarsaigh a slender advantage they never relinquished.
GOAL for Na Piarsaigh's Peter Casey! pic.twitter.com/K6Zko31d2H
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 17, 2018
Yet, after a tense exchange of points thereafter, Cuala's Seán Moran somehow managed to squeeze home a free-kick and level the tie at 1-16 a piece.
GOAL!!! Cuala's Seán Moran brings the game to extra time! pic.twitter.com/BBSbAew7sz
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 17, 2018
Into extra-time then, and you would be forgiven for thinking Na Piarsaigh would crumble after such a deflating end to the initial hour of hurling played. Yet it was the Limerick champions who started the stronger; David Breen finishing off a great team move for a second Na Piarsaigh goal.
GOAL for Na Piarsaigh's David Breen! pic.twitter.com/v3BUfd3Dt7
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 17, 2018
But last year's All-Ireland champions just kept coming. By the half-way mark in extra-time, they were only a solitary point behind Na Piarsaigh.
Once again, a late, late free would prove decisive; David Treacy this time tasked with pointing a leveler and forcing a replay.
David Treacy point to level the game for Cuala! pic.twitter.com/3pB2B8mtuZ
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 17, 2018
Provisionally, the replay is set for April 1st, in Birr. Judging by some of the ill-feeling between both teams after the final whistle, it'll be a testy affair.
