Laois' incredible comeback victory over Wexford on Saturday captured the imagination. It was the best recovery of the GAA season to date, but far from the only one…

In many respects, 2018 has been the year of the comeback and we take the opportunity to reflect on five great fightbacks that had the tongues wagging here in Hogie Central.

1. Laois V Wexford (Leinster SFC)

The O'Moore County's 2-21 to 1-18 victory over Wexford after extra time at Wexford Park last weekend was the stuff of fairy tales. The visitors were favourites but the Model County roared out of the blocks and led by ten points at the break, 1-10 to 0-3. It looked like John Sugrue's men were heading for the Qualifiers but they duly outscored their opponents by 1-12 to 0-5 in a remarkable second half.

Even when Wexford edged back ahead when Donal Shanley chipped over a 74 th -minute penalty, Laois mustered a late, late leveller through corner back Gareth Dillon before dominating extra time. When the final whistle sounded, the winners had completed a 16-point turnaround!

2. Kilkenny V Dublin (Leinster SHC)

Less than 25 hours after Laois stunned Wexford, neighbours Kilkenny decided to get in on the act. At Parnell Park on Sunday, the Cats looked to be in real trouble when trailing an inspired Dublin side by five points with as many minutes left in their provincial championship round-robin opener.

They had been six adrift 15 minutes earlier. However, as is their wont, Brian Cody's men finished like a house on fire, with Liam Blanchfield netting in injury time, to secure a dramatic two-point victory, 1-24 to 3-16.

3. Limerick V Galway (national hurling league)

When the Tribesmen and the Treaty County clashed in their make-or-break Division 1B promotion shoot-out at Salthill in March, the holders looked to be on course for a facile victory when carrying an eight-point cushion into the interval.

Despite being down ten of their panel on the day due to club commitments, John Kiely's charges staged a truly sensational second-half revival and hit the front for the first time through Cian Lynch en route to a memorable 2-18 to 1-19 success that earned them promotion to Division 1A.

4. Roscommon (national football league V Tipperary)

The Rossies were the comeback kings of the Spring. They came from nowhere to force a draw with Meath in their league opener and they overturned a four-point deficit to prevail against Cavan at Dr Hyde Park in mid March. But the greatest Houdini Act executed by Kevin McStay's men to date this season was in Thurles on Sunday, February 4th…

With 65 minutes gone, Tipp were nursing a comfortable six-point advantage, 3-9 to 0-12. Game over, surely? Never. The Rossies instead reeled off a remarkable late 1-5 salvo without reply to win by two points. Diarmuid Murtagh's goal had the gap back to two and further scores from Niall Daly, Murtagh, captain Conor Devaney and Donie Smith made it 1-17 to 3-9 at the long whistle.

5. Offaly (O'Byrne Cup V Dublin)

It seems like a million year ago now but Offaly's strong recovery to snatch a midweek draw against the Dubs at Parnell Park at the start of January was pretty special. It may have been the hosts' third string but the players on view for the Dubs were keen to impress and they led by 1-8 to 0-6 at the break and by three point with six minutes left.

But Offaly fired over the last three points through Cian Johnston (2) and Nigel Dunne, with 18-year-old Leaving Cert student Johnston landing the 68th-minute leveller - his sixth point from play on the night. The result ultimately steered the midlanders through to the last four of the competition at Dublin's expense.

Stay up-to-date with this weekend's football and hurling championship action on our Match Tracker where we will be bringing live updates and scores from around the grounds.

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