In the build-up to Sunday's Munster GAA senior club football final, it was decided that should the game come down to a penalty shootout, Damien Cahalane would stand between the posts for Castlehaven.
As they trailed by two points in injury time at the end of extra-time, a shootout was far from the Cork champions' minds but two scores from Cathal Maguire levelled a dramatic game against Kerry senior club championship winners Dingle.
As players broke from their team huddles in the moments before the shootout, Cahalane removed the number six he'd worn all game and pulled on the goalkeeper's jersey of Darragh Cahalane.
10 December 2023; Damien Cahalane of Castlehaven reacts after making a save during the penalty shoot-out during the AIB Munster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final match between Dingle, Kerry, and Castlehaven, Cork, at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Cork hurler Cahalane, who was nominated for an All-Star this year, had played in goal at underage level with soccer club Greenwood. In 2009, he won an U16 national title alongside future Ireland international John Egan.
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That experience was key at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday as he saved a penalty from Tom O'Sullivan which would have won the game for Dingle had it been converted.
Cahalane also scored twice in the shootout which ended when Mikey Geaney's strike flew just over the crossbar.
#GAABEO Ciceanna Éirice
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Castlehaven are Munster Football Champions after an intense penalty shootout!
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#GAA #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/sVCQcblBxg— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 10, 2023
"Darragh had done a great job inside in goal all day," Cahalane told RTÉ Radio 1.
"We had a made a decision during the week that if it came down penalties, then maybe I'd step inside in goal. I'd played a lot of soccer in goal underage.
Damien Cahalane just rolled back the years with @CastlehavenGAA going in goal for the penalty shootout and making the crucial save to win the game. Pictured here winning the u16 National cup for greenwood with John Egan @echolivecork @BigRedBench @OfficialCorkGAA pic.twitter.com/nr89WtNWu8
— Eddie O Hare (@EddieOHare1) December 10, 2023
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"We said we'd give it a shot. It was a shot to nothing and it worked out. You come down to that stage, it's a bit of a lottery. A horrible way to lose a game, but look, we got over the line in the end. It's great.
"The one thing, this group has so much character. We never say die, and it's where we're from. It's what's inside in us, and where we were bred. It's an absolutely special place, special people and it's what makes you dig in for them."
10 December 2023; Damien Cahalane of Castlehaven, who stood in goal for the penalty shootout, reacts with cramps moments after victory in the AIB Munster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final match against Dingle at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The victory sealed Castlehaven's first Munster title since 1997 and their fourth overall.
"This is one of the best days of my life," said Cahalane.
"It's a special day. We've got to a place where our heroes went to before us.
"It wasn't pretty. It won't be remembered as a game that memorable for the savage football that was played. That's not going to take away from the occasion and what it means to us."
A lot more belly, a lot less hair... https://t.co/dhukwBEd4p
— DamienCahalane (@DamienCahalane) December 10, 2023
