TRIBE DO IT THE HARD WAY

Dolan's heroics secures title in most dramatic of fashions

- BY DARAGH Ó CONCHÚIR

CARRIE Dolan denied 14-player Cork an improbable comeback by pointing a free from tight to the Cusack Stand and almost 60m out in the second minute of injury time to secure the O'Duffy Cup for Galway yesterday.

The skipper was ice in fire in a cauldron that felt unbearable just watching, not to mind in its midst. Who could be calm?

How could you be calm?

Dolan has always been preternaturally mature. She has had great days from placed balls and the odd not so good one, including in this environment.

But her teammates would not have wanted anyone else over the ball in the second minute of injury time.

And as she struck the ball and you turned to look at Amy Lee, the Cork goalie never moved, only to look directly upwards.

The aim was spot on, the strike true.

There was another minute and a half to play. Cork gave it everything. They won ball they had no right to. But Galway prevailed and you couldn't say they didn't deserve it.

Your heart went out to Cork, who fought as champions do. But they had left themselves just that bit too much to do.

On a scintillating day at Croke Park, with 28,795 people watching, Galway flourished in the chaos but it felt as if they created it.

A brilliantly-taken goal in the 14th minute by Mairéad Dillon edged Galway in front after a frantic opening, where the teams had traded points to go three each before Saoirse McCarthy pointed a free to edge Cork ahead, momentarily.