S way to Croke Park
-Cushinstown make footballing history
the first time, making a fine save to deny Donnelly after lively substitute Andrew Burns had created the opening.
A late tackle on Jason Dunne presented Daire Bolger with another opportunity, and he slotted over from just outside the ‘D’, slightly to the left of the posts, to leave two points between the sides entering the last ten minutes.
Blackhill came with another burst though, and Burns nailed a free taken off the ground before an interception by Anthony Courtney on an attempted pass by substitute Aaron Ryan led to corner-back Thomas Courtney joining his attack and kicking high for the equaliser (1-6 each).
The prospects of extra-time loomed large for the second game running, but there was plenty of drama still to come.
Sinnott made another timely intervention, darting off his line to smother an Andrew Burns shot and then earn a free after Philip Donnelly, James Daly and Paul Finnegan combined to pierce the defence.
The winning point arrived just over 30 seconds later, and it came after the ball initially popped up into the air and out of Tadhg Cody’s grasp in a central position roughly 55 metres out.
However, he gathered it at the second attempt, turned and did what he does best – driving at the defence before, despite being pushed out a little to the right, angling over a dream point.
Blackhill did have their chances to force an extra 20 minutes, with Andrew Burns taking a free off the ground that drifted left and wide in the 59th minute.
And then, at the start of the three added minutes, Philip Donnelly played the ball down the right flank for substitute Paul Finnegan who was fouled by Bryan Cody.
The defender, already on a yellow card, duly departed after a second booking, leaving 14 men to hold out as if their lives depended on it.
The free was ideally suited to a left-footer, but Dermot Daly had left the fray at halftime, having scored one in the opening period from a similar position.
Philip Donnelly didn’t fancy taking it on, instead trying for a short crossfield pass. However, Eoin Porter was alert to the threat and, supported by Jason Dunne, he turned over possession near the endline before winning a free out.
The siege was lifted when Tadhg Cody was fouled 50 seconds from the end, with James Daly shown a black card before Daire Bolger stood over the free.
And even though it tailed wide – Rathgarogue-Cushinstown’s first miss of the half – sufficient time had been expended to ensure the final whistle arrived 25 seconds later.
Cue pandemonium on the field and in the stand, and the realisation that Wexford’s finest will be travelling en masse to Croke Park in search of All-Ireland glory on Saturday week.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Nicky Sinnott; Patrick Murphy, Peadar Cody, Pádraig McGrath; Bryan Cody, Eoin Porter, Brian O’Neill; Daniel Martin Carroll (0-1), Matthew Cody (capt.); Tadhg Cody (0-1), Daire Bolger (0-4 frees), Bernard Furlong (1-0); Robert Murphy, Eric Cummins, Jason Dunne (0-1). Subs. - Aaron Ryan for Cummins (46), Ollie Bolger for McGrath (50).
Blackhill Emeralds: Michael Shevlin; Shane Courtney, Donal Courtney, Thomas Courtney (0-1); Anthony Courtney, Ryan Courtney, James Daly; Ciarán Courtney, Dermot Daly (0-1 free); Jason Finnegan (1-0), Tommy Geehan, Gerard McArdle; Hugh Byrne (capt.), Philip Donnelly (0-3 frees), Michael Geehan. Subs. - Andrew Burns (0-1 free) for D. Daly (HT), Paul Finnegan for J. Finnegan (52).
Referee: Barry Judge (Sligo).