CUALA HIT BY LATE SHOW

BALLYBODEN 3-21 CUALA 2-22 DUBLIN SFC SEMI-FINAL

- BY KARL O'KANE

LET BATTLE COMMENCE Cuala's Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne taking on James Holland yesterday

CUALA lost their All-Ireland, Leinster and Dublin titles after a stunning late Ballyboden surge at Parnell Park yesterday.

A shell-shocked Cuala will wonder how they were beaten after leading by six points at the break having played against the breeze and up seven points on 48 minutes.

The answer may be their opponents’ never-say-die spirit - and Daire Sweeney.

Sweeney was magnificent in the second half. He finished with 2-8, including 2-4 from play, with his opening goal on 57 minutes cutting Cuala’s lead to four points.

It was a superb finish to the roof of the net from a half goal chance and was once again the right percentage option, similar to fisted points hed taken to keep his side in touch.