And then there was two.
Two winners and two All-Ireland club finalists have emerged from today’s thrilling action in the AIB-All-Ireland club football and hurling championships.
In the opening senior hurling semi-final of the day, Cushendall of Antrim beat Sarsfields of Galway to seal their place in the March 17th decider by 3-12 to 1-6.
The Ulster side booked their place in a very first All-Ireland club decider thanks in the main to the ace marksmanship of Neil McManus.
The inter-county star grabbed 1-7 over the course of the hour, as the Galway side had no answer to the Antrim outfit’s work-rate as well as stickwork.
Any chance of a lift to Croker @Decky79Decky792 @Neilmcmanus88 congrats @RuairiOgCdall #TheToughest
— aidanrice (@aidanrice11) February 6, 2016
They will meet Na Piarsaigh in the All-Ireland decider after a wonderful tussle in Thurles saw the Limerick champions emerge with a narrow win by 1-22 to 0-20 after extra-time.
Semple Stadium was witness to a thriller as the game was forced into the additional twenty minute period thanks to a last gasp free from the Wexford champions which was slotted over by Nicky Kirwin to make it 1-13 to 0-16.
They don't call it the #TheToughest for nothing. Boom. Vine: @PH31933 https://t.co/SngttrMwN8
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 6, 2016
Na Piarsaigh had led by five points during the second half of normal time, but the Leinster champions staged a remarkable comeback.
The Limerick side got the better of the opening ten extra minutes and led by 1-17 to 0-17 at the break, before powering on to win and book a place in a very first All-Ireland club final next month.
What. A. Game.
Congrats @NapGAA who are through to their first ever AI Final! Tough on @OulartB. #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/gGbQ4BHGfv
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) February 6, 2016
In Croke Park meanwhile and it was a day of double success for Kerry clubs.
The opening final of the afternoon saw Templenoe dismantle Ardnaree Sarsfields as they recorded a 4-13 to 1-10 win.
The hero of the afternoon was Stephen O’Sullivan who even managed to upstage the famous Spillane family with his treble of green flags over the course of the hour.
The Munster champions led at the break by 2-9 to 1-7, with wing forward Brian Crowley netting just before the short whistle to keep the Mayo side at arms length.
However, O’Sullivan plundered his second goal of the afternoon just moments after the restart, and with that the Kerry side dominated the remainder of the game to run out 12 points winners.
That winning moment! Congrats @Templenoeabu, the AIB All-Ireland Junior Champions. #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/Pmu3yoxQCV
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) February 6, 2016
The second Kerry success of the afternoon, also against a Mayo side, came as St Mary’s took home the All-Ireland intermediate crown with a 2-10 to 0-10 win over Hollymount-Carramore.
The Kerry side began brightly but a mid half surge from the Connacht outfit had the Bryan Sheehan led side in all sorts of bother.
However the Munster champions fought back with the teams level at 0-6 at the break.
The second half was blown wide open by a Dan Daly goal.
Intermediate AI Final (2nd half,35 min) St Marys 1-6 Hollymount-Carramore 0-6 (via @gaajourno) Dan Daly goal!!!!!
— St Marys GAA (@StMarysGAAclub) February 6, 2016
The Mayo side recovered once again recovered to get within a goal of the Kerry side until a second goal killed the game as contest.
Intermediate AI Final (2nd half,44 min) St Marys 2-8 Hollymount-Carramore 0-6 (via @gaajourno) Anthony Cournane goal!!!!!!
— St Marys GAA (@StMarysGAAclub) February 6, 2016
.@StMarysGAAclub captain Sean Cournane lifts the Cup!! #TheToughest 🏆 pic.twitter.com/CxsLdqLDbl
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) February 6, 2016
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