The clock was deep into the red in this year's first All-Ireland football final when Cillian O'Connor kicked an equalising point to send the game to a replay.
Just 40 seconds earlier, Dublin had a sideline ball on the Hogan Stand side of Croke Park. Diarmuid Connolly's attempt on goal tailed wide giving Mayo an opportunity to regain possession.
Connolly, who was incognizant of criticism following the game, told the media on Tuesday (via the Irish Examiner) what was going through his mind in that moment.
Look, I don’t read the media too much. All I wanted to do was put the ball dead. That was my (thinking). There was what, a minute left in injury time? Just put the ball dead. We could set up for the kick-out then, which actually didn’t happen.
We were too slow for the kick-out. They ended up getting it off short and they went up and scored a point. But I wouldn’t say it was regrettable. Maybe I should have kept possession of the ball in hindsight. But these things happen in the game.
Connolly undoubtedly has the ability to convert such scoring opportunities. Most recently, his outrageous scoring in the Dublin SFC semi-final against Ballymun showed he can take chances from all angles.
Even though he admits that he should probably have maintained possession rather than having a shot at goal, it was a moment which did not dwell too long in his mind post-match.
I didn’t think about it afterwards. I thought we should have won the game in open play, to be honest with you. But sure look, these things happen. We went on and got the job done the second day.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
