They thought they had it.
Kilanerin were moments away from creating history on Sunday afternoon, only for Wexford hurler Simon Donohue to step up and kick two crucial scores to earn a draw for Shelmaliers in the Wexford SFC final.
All over, a 2-11 apiece draw between @kilaneringaa and @shelmaliers in the @tdsupplies senior football final. A cracking match, thoroughly enjoyed by the good crowd here in @InnovateCloud Wexford Park, make sure to get to the replay!!
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) October 14, 2018
Last year’s county and Leinster intermediate champions took to the senior ranks smoothly in the sunny south east this year and they looked home and hosed to make it back to back championship wins in the Model County.
The north county men led Shelmaliers by three points with as many minutes remaining in the county grounds, only for Shels to mount a spirited comeback right at the death to force a replay next weekend.
It turned into a shootout between two men. The whole of Ireland knows Matty Forde never leaves his shooting boots at home, but it’s not a stretch to say it was only those inside of Wexford who knew about Simon Donohue’s sharpshooting capabilities.
Playing at full forward, Forde ended his afternoon with 1-6, 1-4 of it coming from open play. That man Donohue, a modest corner back on Davy Fitzgerald’s hurling team, matched Matty with 1-4 from open play from the middle of the field.
All the talk down in Wexford, however, was about the undying genius of the county’s greatest ever footballer Forde. The former All-Star is 39 years of age now, but he still has a kick as sweet as he had back in 2004.
The always entertaining Wexford Twitter account summed his genius up perfectly, while those present at Wexford Park were honoured to have witnessed the exhibition.
Sublime point by Matty Forde, class is permanent, caught the ball over his marker's head and with the outside of the boot he scored from 35 metres, 2-3 to 1-5 is the Shelmaliers lead.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) October 14, 2018
When Matty Forde at 39 years of age is putting balls over the bar outside of the left in the county senior final. The man is an absolute genius ! Privledged to say I grew up watching the man. #Wexford #Gaa
— Kieron Duffin (@KieronDuffin) October 14, 2018
Doesn’t get much better than watchin Matty Forde kick a ball.. jaysus still unreal 👌
— Stephen Doyle (@stephendoyleob) October 14, 2018
Still get excited watching Matty Forde play.
— Mark Reade (@markreade93) October 14, 2018
Some lads just have it. It was only a couple of weeks ago when we saw Mickey Linden producing heroics for his club in Down at the age of 55. He hasn’t lost it, and neither has Matty Forde.
Forde has already won four senior titles with his club, he’ll be hoping to add a fifth in the replay next weekend.
