DINGLE WIN BY SINGLE SCORE

CONOR GEANEY'S last-gasp two-point free sent Dingle from the edge of despair to sheer elation in a classic Munster final victory over St Finbarr's.

- BY STEPHEN BARRY

With Steven Sherlock kicking 0-16 in a sublime display for the Barrs, the Kerry champions never led from the fourth minute until the fourth minute of added time in front of 2,714 spectators.

They trailed by five with seven minutes of normal time to play, but closed out a first-ever provincial title with a pair of frees followed by two-pointers from brothers Dylan and Conor Geaney.

Leading by the minimum with time almost up, the Barrs were winding down the clock until AFL star Mark O'Connor forced Ian Maguire to overcarry.

Referee Chris Maguire then penalised Dylan Quinn for failing to hand back the ball, advancing the free 50 metres to the opposite 45.

"That was the biggest free I ever kicked or ever will kick," said Conor Geaney. "There was a small bit of nerves. I kept the head down. I didn't look straight away. I knew if I got a good strike on it, it had a good chance of going over."

Two years ago, Dingle led all the way in a Munster final against Castlehaven only to be pipped on penalties.

This was a polar opposite day, with Dingle this time flooring the Cork champions in the final play.

An All-Ireland semifinal against Ballyboden St Enda's awaits in January.

"Two years ago was the worst day for the club. It was the worst feeling I ever had on the pitch," said Geaney.

"To get another crack at it and get over the line this time... It's the best day in the clubs history."