Individual displays were immense in this quality contest

IGOT it half wrong in my prediction last week, but having said that, Wexford football scaled new heights last Sunday with an enthralling county Senior final. While I predicted a Shelmaliers victory, they did not let me down, as they turned in an action-packed finish to nail down a draw with Kilanerin.

It was no more than they deserved and few would grumble with the end result, as a draw gives both sides an opportunity to throw down the gauntlet once again this Saturday afternoon in Innovate Wexford Park for one of the most eagerly-awaited final replays for many years.

I am sure everyone would agree that there has never been a better Senior football final witnessed over the past decade. It was enthralling stuff from start to finish.

Both sides went back to the tried and trusted format of 15 on 15, with both teams playing to their respective strengths, which led to a ruthless 60 minutes of football.

The difference between this game and so much one witnesses on the inter-county stage is that individual players were allowed to flourish. There was no stifling of individual skills, with the result that there was always a desire to launch an attack once a player had hard-won possession.

From Eoin Doyle’s opening point inside the first minute, one was treated to a game that flourished with each passing minute. This was a final that deserves to be elevated to the best seen for some considerable time.

We had high fielding all over the pitch, and some wonderful individual skills, all of which led to some memorable scores during the course of a 60 minutes when there was no let-up from either side.

Perhaps the best example of this game, for those who did not witness it, was the skill level of the great Matty Forde. His goal finish was exquisite, a piece of quick thinking in a tight situation, but two of his long-range points from difficult angles brought one immediately back to his great days in the purple and gold.

You’ve heard all about Matty’s skills before, but one of his points was trademark stuff. He raced out to field a high ball, swivelled in mid-air to send two defenders racing in the wrong direction, and turned onto his right boot to plant a magnificent point, all in one delightful movement.

But it was not all about the Matty show. We had the wonderful fielding and scoring heroics of Niall Hughes in midfield, finishing the game with 1-3 from play, and his goal finish was clinical.

One would also have to focus on the play of many of a magnificent Shelmaliers outfit. Brian Malone’s experience was never needed more, and how he rose to the demands of the occasion. He was involved in the lead-up to his side’s two first-half goals with surges out of defence, while he also provided an inspirational run and point when his side needed leadership.

The display of Simon Donohoe is just a sign of his side’s strengths. He looked comfortable through the 60-odd minutes despite coming off the back of a hectic schedule in both codes, and also being such a crucial part of Davy Fitzgerald’s hurling squad. Donohoe was not interested on concentrating on a defensive role as he attacked Kilanerin at every opportunity, while still getting in his duties at the back.

Figures will surely show that he was the story of this game, since he must have had more possession than any other player on the pitch, but it was how he utilised this that led to his stand-out performance.

His first-half goal was superb, a race through the centre of defence before planting an unstoppable shot in the corner of the net.

It was in the closing minutes that his star shone brightest. Two minutes from the end he superbly pointed to leave the minimum between the sides. But better was to follow when three minutes deep into additional time his finish was devastating as he sent over the levelling point with the second-last kick of the game.

It was the type of composure and finish that was fitting to end an enthralling final in what for me was a man of the match display from Donohoe, who covered every inch of the pitch and finished with 1-4 from play, a remarkable scoreline for a man who started at right half-back.

Credit to the players. We can now look forward to the opportunity of seeing these two fine sides in the replay this Saturday afternoon.