A David Sherry point, late into injury-time eventually allowed St. Thomas' the opportunity to cement their Paddy's Day plans in the capital, but only after seeing off a wonderful comeback from Antrim and Ulster Champions, Ruairí Ógs, Cushendall.
In a first half that was dictated for the most part by family Burke, with four of the clan contributing to the thirteen points the Galway side had amassed before half-time, the Connacht kingpins displayed fantastic prowess in front of the posts to give themselves a seven-point cushion at half-time.
Seo é briseadh síos scór leath ama agus is iad na Burkes atá ag déanamh an damáiste do @StThomassHC
@RuairiOgCdall #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/8BCIORuIZ2— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 9, 2019
They had found themselves trailing early on when Neil McManus dispatched a 4th minute penalty for the Glensmen after Seán McAfee was felled after good work inside.
But St. Thomas' responded fantastically, restricting their Ulster opponents to only three points for the remainder of the half, whilst at the other end, Darragh Burke was in sublime touch.
But any suggestions that Eamon Gillan's side were going to end their season with a mere whimper were swiftly shaken in the opening minutes of the second period.
Points from Eoghan Campbell and star-turn McManus cut the deficit to five, before Fergus McCambridge burst through the Thomas' defence, finishing to the back of the net to draw his team to within a swing of a hurl.
An iomarca céimeanna?
Cúil den scoth ag McCambridge do @RuairiOgCdall
An bearna laighte@AontroimGAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/wl6pz95y21— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 9, 2019
Points from Paddy McGill and McCambridge brought the sides level for the first time in almost a half hour, at 2-09 to 15 points with ten minutes left on the clock.
Both sides traded scores in the final moments, but it was Sherry who would pop up with the decisive strike four minutes into time added on to put pay to the Cushendall efforts and set up another day at Croke Park, where they will face the winners of this evening's game between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Ballygunner.
