It was a day of firsts for the GAA today, as history was made in both Munster and Leinster.
In the south, Cork aristocrats Nemo Rangers saw their hopes of a record 16th provincial crown snatched away at the death by an injury-time Michael Quinlivan goal which gave Clonmel Commercials a first ever title.
It was also the first time a club from Tipperary brought home the crown, and came at the end of a ding-dong battle in Mallow that finished 1-7 to 0-9.
Nemo had finally looked like putting away their dogged rivals when they strung together four points in a row to open up a two-point lead in the closing stages.
But Clonmel mounted a last attack and, after the Corkmen failed to clear, Quinlivan struck a low effort to the corner of the net to spark wild celebrations.
The sides had been joined at the hip for much of the first half, ending it all square at 0-5 before the Tipperary men seized the initiative, with a Quinlivan ’45 and a free giving them their first lead.
But Nemo showed their resilience with Paul Kerrigan pointing twice as they surged back in front only to have victory ripped from their grasp in devastating fashion.
I can't speak #champions 1-7 to 0-9
— Clonmel Commercials (@CommercialsGAA) November 29, 2015
Michael Quinlivan goes into Tipp football folklore with that injury time winning goal. Well done Clonmel Commercials
— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) November 29, 2015
Christ there won't be a bottle of cider brewed in Clonmel for the week… Some win for @CommercialsGAA #MunsterGAA
— Ciarán Ó Dúghaill ⚡️ (@doylerz88) November 29, 2015
Jake McDonald of @CommercialsGAA consoles Dylan Mehigan of @NemoRangersGAA after a titanic battle! #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/z7GjyprsKZ
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) November 29, 2015
In Carlow, Wexford club Oulart-the-Ballagh were looking to end their Leinster hurling final jinx against Cuala, having lost their previous six provincial finals, including four in succession from 2010-13.
And the men from the Model County gave themselves the perfect start, opening up an 0-7 to 0-2 lead with a strong first-half wind at their backs, including a monstrous 80-metre free from Nicky Kirwan.
Oulart pressed on knowing the Dubliners would have that same advantage the other side of the interval, and David Redmond’s fine run and pass created a goal chance which Tomas Dunne converted to give them an eight-point lead at the break.
With the wind fading, Cuala had it all to do in the second half, and their task only increased when Oulart’s Garrett Sinnott pounced on a goalkeeping error to find the net.
David Treacy kept Cuala chasing and they cut the gap to five points as the game entered the final stages, but simply had left themselves too big of a hole to climb out of as Oulart went on to claim a 2-13 to 0-13 victory.
They also became the first Wexford side to win provincial hurling honours since Rathnure in 1998, and now face Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
No way could you begrudge @OulartB that win. So well deserved. Great celebratory scenes on @GAA_BEO now. #TheToughest #GAA #tg4
— L. NíHéineacháin (@LaobhaoiseNihE) November 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/magsdarcy/status/670992712041123840
Massive respect to @OulartB – lots of teams in lots of sports could learn so much from your determination & resilience . #TheToughest
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) November 29, 2015
Meanwhile, extra time was needed in Ulster as Crossmaglen earned their 11th title by seeing off Scotstown by 2-15 to 2-12.
The game was finely poised before Scotstown goalkeeper Rory Beggan fluffed a kick-out and was punished by Kyle Carragher.
Scotstown substitute Brian McGinnity ensured a nailbiting finish with a late goal that made the score 2-15 to 2-12 but Crossmaglen kept their composure and fired over a pair of points at the death to take the Seamus McFerran Cup.
It was an ill-tempered affair at the Athletic Grounds and two players from both sides were sent off with Kieran and Darren Hughes both given their marching orders for Scotstown while Cross’ Danny O’Callaghan and James Morgan also seeing red but it didn’t affect the result as Rangers had the mettle to see the game out.
Crossmaglen do it again. An All Ireland to follow as well Id imagine. Fair play to them. 👍
— Darnell Parkinson (@ddparko) November 29, 2015
Mitchels v Crossmaglen then. Both great teams who have the perfect balance of footballing ability and physicality. Brilliant. #TheToughest
— . (@Jasonmcg2) November 29, 2015
Armagh county board should go hand Crossmaglen the county jerseys and ask them to play as the county team. Would actually have a chance
— Conall McGinnity (@ConallMcGinnity) November 29, 2015