Mayo and Donegal played out a dramatic draw on the opening weekend of the Allianz Football League on Sunday afternoon.
In a scene reminiscent of last year's All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin - though this game was played in a rain-soaked Markievicz Park rather than an August day at Croke Park - Rob Hennelly kicked an equalising point for Mayo.
With Mayo trailing 0-10 to 0-11, and injury time almost up, the goalkeeper stepped up to superbly kick a free over the bar from wide on the left in tough conditions.
Rob Hennelly equaliser for Mayo vs Donegal
#MAYvDON
74 nóim
@MayoGAA 0–00@officialdonegal 0-00
Dochreidte ó Rob Hennelly!! 🤩🥳
Mayo are saved in the dying seconds 😍👌
@GAA_BEO @officialgaa
#GAABeo | #AllianzIreland | #AllianzLeagues
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/x2btkYN3KV— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 30, 2022
22 minutes earlier, Hennelly was also the hero for Mayo, though in more regular circumstances for a goalkeeper. Donegal were leading 0-9 to 0-6 when they were awarded a penalty after Mayo captain Stephen Coen pulled Michael Murphy by the shorts. Coen was sent-off after being shown his second yellow card. Paddy McBrearty took the penalty, but it was saved by Hennelly.
"We were terrible in the first half," Mayo manager James Horan told TG4 about his side, who trailed by four at the break.
"We left ourselves an awful lot to do. A few changes at half-time but ultimately the Jason Docs and these guys stood up. They gave us a real platform inside, and really worked hard when we didn't have the ball. We won some crucial turnovers.
"That gave us some confidence, and rattled Donegal a little bit. We were getting stronger and stronger as the game went on. It's very pleasing from that point of view.
"From where we were at half-time, and even five minutes into the second half, we'll take a point. We'd be delighted with the manner of our comeback, but I'd wish we didn't have to have a comeback."
#MAYvDON
51 nóim
@MayoGAA 0–06@officialdonegal 0-09
An t-aicsean déanta ag Rob Hennelly!! 🤩🥳
A crucial save to keep Mayo in the game 👌
@GAA_BEO @officialgaa
#GAABeo | #AllianzIreland | #AllianzLeagues
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/SzxvmlH0EQ— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 30, 2022
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