A last-gasp Seamus O Muircheartaigh point gave An Ghaeltacht a dramatic 0-12 to 0-11 extra-time victory over Donegal's Kilcar in the All-Ireland senior Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta final at Gallarus, Co Kerry this evening.
The West Kerry outfit refused to be beaten in the atrocious conditions, forcing extra-time thanks to two late frees by Sean Micheal O Conchuir after trailing throughout. Level on 0-8 each at the end of normal time, the sides were still deadlocked on 0-10 apiece at the end of the first period of extra-time before O Muircheartaigh won it for An Ghaeltacht at the death.
Despite the absence of Paddy McBrearty, Eoin McHugh and Ryan McHugh, who are preparing for Donegal's Ulster SFC semi-final against Tyrone next Saturday, and also losing Mark McHugh and Ciaran McGinley to injuries, Kilcar led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval with Matthew McClean and Mark McHugh leading their scoring charge.
Kilcar 'keeper Eamonn McGinley made a vital save to deny Sean O Bambaire a goal and Brian O Beaglaoich fired wide from the follow-up, but the hosts eventually regained parity through Sean Micheal O Conchuir before edging it in extra-time.
The junior final was also a Kerry-Donegal affair which saw Na Dunaibh (Donegal) retain their crown with a comfortable 2-12 to 1-4 victory over Beal Atha'n Ghaorthaidh.
TweetMuinitir @AnGhaeltacht an sasta @comortas19 buaite acu!! #gaeilge #gaa #CPnaG19 #gaa pic.twitter.com/MMY0SpbUxw
— Cóilín Duffy (@coilinduffy) June 3, 2019