One man won the hearts of the country after huge shock in Newbridge

Matthew Gault

Some game.

Following a tense week of stand-offs and statements, the sound of the referee’s whistle at St Conleth’s Park was music to the ears as football took over on Saturday evening.

And, thankfully, it turned out to be an absorbing game too in Newbridge as Mayo and Kildare went hammer and tongs in round three of the qualifiers, with the latter holding their nerve to clinch a shock 0-21 to 0-19 win.

The crowd soaked up the evening sun, watching some lovely scores being kicked as the match went down to the wire.

While Andy Moran looked sharp and Kevin Feely kicked some lovely scores, it was Paddy Durcan who really got people talking.

The Castlebar Mitchels man was in irresistible form, scoring four points from play from wing-back as the 2016 and 2017 finalists came up agonisingly short against Cian O’Neill’s spirited Lilywhites.

Durcan looked dialled-in all evening, bursting through the centre to kick a monstrous point after a poor Mayo kick-out.

A huge point for @MayoGAA from Paddy Durcan pic.twitter.com/fFNU0azbxk

— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 30, 2018

Keeping up his clutch kicking, Durcan launched another fine effort with just over three minutes remaining to set up a nail-biting finale.

Paddy Durcan with another lovely score for @MayoGAA as this game goes down to the wire. pic.twitter.com/UwNYPxu7rO

— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 30, 2018

Seven successive All-Ireland semi-finals. It’s a ridiculous record. But it’s a record that has fallen. Mayo are out of the Championship in June. It’s like watching Germany being knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage all over again.

Last year, Durcan delivered time and time again for Mayo. In Newbridge on Saturday, he delivered once again, but whereas last year he was a driving force in getting Stephen Rochford’s men to the showpiece in Croke Park, his latest efforts were ultimately in vain.

Fair play to Kildare though. They surged into a nearly lead, were pegged back and found another gear in the second half. Mayo battled and battled hard, but you surely can’t begrudge Kildare this triumph.

There has been a lot of bullshit and embarrassment over the past number of days regarding Newbridge. Luckily, on Saturday, football prevailed. It just seems cruel that Paddy Durcan didn’t prevail with it.

Im as proud of them @MayoGAA players today as I have ever been. Remarkable group that have given us so much. Diarmuid o Connor and paddy durcan heroic today. @mayonewssport

— Billy Joe Padden (@bjpadden11) June 30, 2018

Diarmuid O Connor & Paddy Durcan playing brilliant football! Mayo might be without their two first choice midfielders but they are cleaning up there! #mayo #kildare great game to watch so far! 👏👏

— Meabh Hughes (@HughesMeabh) June 30, 2018