Christy O'Conner is a former top-level goalkeeper turned acclaimed hurling writer, with an intimate and unique understanding of gaelic games.

Conor Glass dropped his head in disbelief and grabbed the net in the Athletic Grounds goal with his right hand, almost like a crutch to keep himself upright. With his left hand on his hip, Glass lingered in that position for nearly 30 seconds, almost in a state of near concussion after Jack McCarron landed an audacious and outrageous two-point equalising score with the outside of his left boot 20 metres out from goal on the sideline with the last play.

As the Monaghan players sprinted to the dressing room for extra-time of the Ulster semi-final in May, the Derry players trekked there in a state of incredulity. Ten points up midway through the second half, Derry still thought they were in an Ulster final just minutes earlier when referee Noel Mooney had blown the full-time whistle, before reversing his decision to give McCarron and Monaghan that one last low-percentage chance to take it to extra-time.

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