The county final is always a huge occasion for any young man or woman.
Getting to represent your club, alongside your best mates, playing in the big stadium, it's a huge moment.
However it's a nervous one, and strange things happen at county finals that wouldn't otherwise happen elsewhere!
Take, for example, Sunday's U19 North Board men's football final in Galway, between Claregalway and Dunmore Machales.
While Dunmore - right up the north of the county - have a huge pedigree, both in the men's and women's game; Claregalway wouldn't generally be considered the same standard. Having won two Intermediate titles compared to Dunmore's 15 senior titles - albiet the last one coming in 1983!
These two sides played a tight and nervous game at the home of Galway football in Tuam Stadium, and after extra-time, penalties would decide the winner.
However, as they came to the end of the shootout, Claregalway needed to score - and save the next penalty - to keep the game alive. While 'the Shafts' just needed a miss to win.
This is what happened...
North Board U19 final Dunmore v Claregalway Penalty shoot out sudden death. Ball hits crossbar, but watch where it lands… pic.twitter.com/A6OKOxAk44
— Ah Ref Galway (@AhRefGalway) October 27, 2021
Like something out of a Hollywood film.
However, would go on to win the game eventually, bringing the cup back up the N83 to their gorgeous newly developed facility.
Beir bua!
