Evan Comerford wasn’t quite the fireman who returned to find his station ablaze, but that’s only because referee David Coldrick quenched the flames.
The Dublin lads weren’t ready. Sure Jonny Cooper was giving out before McCarron had even put boot to ball, Eric Lowndes had his back turned while goalkeeper Evan Comerford was ten yards off his spot.
Jack McCarron said it was worth a go though. The free, which came from Karl O’Connell being taken out of it by Michael Darragh MacAuley was brought forward ten yards after Cooper had thrown the ball away and it was only on the 14 now.
Goal territory.
Following in the footsteps of the Meath referee, McCarron galloped to the new marker and lashed a left boot at it straight into the bottom corner. Couldn’t have placed it any better.
He’d done a Mikey Sheehy on it, Ryan Giggs eat your heart out.
The Dublin lads waited, Comerford stood there as if to say what’s this about before Coldrick decided to call it back to be re-taken probably on the premise that he hadn’t blown his whistle for McCarron to pull the trigger.
The TG4 commentators weren’t happy. The crowd groaned.
Cad a cheapann sibh?
In the blink of an eye, McCarron taking his chances!
Thóg sé an cic ró tapa agus san áit mÃcheart?
Ach an raibh an cinneadh ceart gan an chúl a thabhairt?#AllianzLeagues@SportsJOEdotie @monaghangaa pic.twitter.com/0trlZuxcVO— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 27, 2019
Jack McCarron could only smile. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
He tapped over the free to keep Monaghan within five points and though that didn’t look a great place to be in at the time, they weren’t looking too uncomfortable.
They kept chipping away at Dublin’s lead and by half-time it was down it was down to only two.
In the second, they drove on again. Substitute Stephen O’Hanlon made a huge impact with his driving, direct runs causing serious problems for the Dublin defence.
One of those specials led to his county’s first goal as, after catching an advanced mark he sprinted past Jonny Cooper before roofing it into Evan Comerford’s net.
Moments later, Shane Carey fisted in after a gorgeous team move and Monaghan kicked onto seal a famous 2-13 to 1-13 win over the Dubs.
