There was immense drama in the Harty Cup on Wednesday, as Cork school Gaelcholáiste Mhuire produced a breathtaking comeback to progress to the quarter-finals of the inter-schools competition.
Up against Waterford side Blackwater in the Harty Cup preliminary quarter-final, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire (a.k.a. 'The Mon') were in trouble until deep into the second half. The Mon found themselves trailing by nine points with 17 minutes remaining, with Blackwater's 3-07 seemingly setting them on their way to the last eight.
By the time the full-time whistle blew after five minutes of stoppage time, the score instead read 3-8 to 0-17 - an astonishing swing based on a late flurry of scores from The Mon. The momentum was with them entering extra-time, and they ultimately won out by three points, 0-22 to 3-10.
The second-most successful school in Harty Cup history, The Mon showed the resilience that has made them champions on 19 previous occasions.
They will hope to do so a 20th time next February having reached the quarter-finals and, judging by the pitchside interview with coach Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, the togetherness exists in the group to win yet again.
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Seán Óg Ó hAilpín delivers outstanding interview after Mon's Harty Cup comeback
An icon of Cork hurling, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín was a three-time All-Ireland winner with the Rebels during his playing career, winning Hurler of the Year in 2004 and captaining the side to Liam MacCarthy in 2005.
His hurling skills were honed in his secondary school, the North Monastery - also known as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire or, coloquailly, as The Mon. He has returned to his alma mater in recent months to guide the school's hurling team in the prestigious Harty Cup competition.
He was understandably on cloud nine pitchside on Wednesday, with his troops having produced a sensational performance against Blackwater to claim a quarter-final spot. Almost as good as the performance on the pitch were the antics of the Mon team during Ó hAilpín's post-match interview.
Speaking to Clubber, Ó hAilpín spoke about the heart needed to win tournaments like the Harty Cup - before the group of players celebrating behind him rushed over to gatecrash the interview and lift the hurling icon into the air.
The raucous scenes eventually died down, with Ó hAilpín lost for words and emotional amid the chaos. He would then explain why he felt the school's small size gave them the character to fight back in matches like Wednesday's.
We're in the last eight and it's a shot in the dark from now on. Look, the reality is the Gaelcholáiste is a school of probably 600 pupils. 50% of them are males.
We're up against schools in Munster that have a 1,000 boys, all-boy schools. When you break down the numbers, we are punching above our weight.
The school has built a tradition on taking on the big guns - David and Goliath. We're just thrilled. The manner of the win was even more pleasing.
Even if we hadn't won that game, we would have went away equally as happy because guys just emptied themselves. Like any great game, it takes two great teams to make a great game and hats off to Blackwater.
I'm lost for words, I can't say anymore!
The entire six-or-so minute long interview is like a time capsule, bringing back memories of the impassioned interviews and speeches Seán Óg Ó hAilpín routinely delivered during his inter-county career.
The lads on the Mon's hurling team are certainly lucky to have such an inspirational figure guiding them through their Harty Cup campaign but they deserve every credit for their superb comeback on Wednesday afternoon.
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