After all the furore surrounding the destination of this evening's third round qualifier, Kildare came out on top in Newbridge against a Mayo side that bows out of the Championship at an unusually early stage.
Although the commanding narrative of this surprise win will centre around Kildare and how they delivered a performance after demonstrating their determination during the week, for Mayo, all the talk has unquestionably been about one man; Diarmuid O'Connor.
Has any man ever emptied himself as much as Diarmuid O'Connor has today?! Getting tired just watching him.
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) June 30, 2018
Think I’m still in semi-shock but congrats to Kildare who deserved their win. Diarmuid O’Connor was immense at 8. Plenty to build on next year when lads are back fit. Thank you for 8 great summers in a row and many more to come. See you in January @MayoGAA 💚❤️ #InThisTogether
— Eamon (@eamonhmcc) June 30, 2018
Forget Messi and Ronaldo, the man who really didn't deserve to bow out today was Diarmuid O'Connor
— Diarmaid Ward (@diarmaid_w) June 30, 2018
Literally so proud of Diarmuid O’Connor today 💚❤️
— Maria (@MariaGa55554366) June 30, 2018
Excellent game in Newbridge. He may have ended up on the losing team, but Diarmuid O’Connor put in some shift. Emptied himself.
Kildare have so much potential, hopefully they make the Super 8’s.#GAA #KILvMAYO— Shane Murphy (@smurphser) June 30, 2018
In the unforgiving heat, O'Connor never once stopped. Against a Kildare side determined to put their early exit from the Leinster Championship at the hands of Carlow behind them, O'Connor was emblematic of all that Mayo needed to be.
Kildare fully deserving of their win, but show me a man that emerged from defeat with more credit than Diarmuid O'Connor and I'll show you a liar, phenomenal effort, out on his feet, the definition of #TheToughest
— Eoin Forde (@EoinFordeeoin) June 30, 2018
Kildare v Mayo.. what a game of ball that was.. Diarmuid O’Connor n Durcan may have been the 2 beat individuals on the field but Kildare were the best team.. serious game of open football and unreal scores kicked.. Mayo dont do boring games in fairness...
— Peter O'Leary (@poleary7) June 30, 2018
Great game this evening on @SkySportsGAA, Mayo's inability to win their own kickouts coming down the stretch in a game costs them yet again. Great performance from @KildareGAA and huge individual performance in defeat from Diarmuid O'Connor. #KildarevMayo #gaa
— Killian Fitzpatrick (@kfitz78) June 30, 2018
Diarmuid O'Connor the perfect example of a player emptying themselves! #KildareVMayo
— Adam Murphy (@Adam__Murphy) June 30, 2018
Will be using Diarmuid O'Connor's performance there as the bar for "emptying the tank" in future. The man literally crawled off the pitch so that Mayo could take that last free 👏👏 #GAA
— Pa Ranahan (@PaRanahan) June 30, 2018
Absolutely delighted for Kildare. Thoroughly deserving winners and surely odds-on for Supers 8s now. But you'd have to feel for Diarmuid O'Connor. He was just immense, certainly didn't deserve to be on losing side #KildarevMayo #NewbridgeOrNowhere
— Caoimhín Reilly (@CaoimhinReilly) June 30, 2018
Lack of a midfield really cost Mayo in the second half. Diarmuid O'Connor tried hard as the midfield rover but they had no fielder. Kildare pressured Mayo kickout and they had nobody to compete for high ball as Kevin Feely took over.
— Chris Traynor (@PerformTraynor) June 30, 2018
Cian O'Neill has given inspirational leadership to that Kildare team this week, but this is so tough on Mayo. Diarmuid O'Connor was immense for them tonight, as was Paddy Durcan. Mayo really are football's Waterford.
— Mary Hannon (@MaryHannon10) June 30, 2018
diarmuid O'Connor literally the only person who played for mayo today.. have to feel for him #mayovkildare
— Gráinne Ní Gileain (@grainne2295) June 30, 2018
Diarmuid O'Connor is not human #KILvMAY
— Michael Devlin (@MichaelDevlin11) June 30, 2018
Consistently said to have 'emptied the tank', O'Connor's efforts told late on. Still running as hard as he could to help Mayo find a way back into contention, O'Connor made one last surge up the field, winning a free in the dying embers of the game. Both his legs seized up with cramp but he didn't want to delay the game by receiving treatment. He made his way off the field to get treatment, except there was the slight issue of him not being able to stand up.
In what amounted to a crazy scene, with mind remained firmly on the task at hand - getting Mayo back into the game - O'Connor dragged himself with his arms, across the sideline.
Generating an incredible show of plaudits for one that ended up on the losing side tonight, Mayo fans will certainly have some positives to mull over before considering their assault on next year's Championship.
