Seán O’Shea’s 53-metre conversion of that 77th-minute free has gained extensive acclaim as the most effective of its style, given all of the variables concerned.
bviously, it’s a subjective train to check such strain frees on the finish of huge video games, given the totally different pressures gamers face.
Wanting again at Eamonn McEneaney’s conversion of a late free to earn a draw for Monaghan towards the mighty Kerry workforce of the Eighties, the usual of the Croke Park pitch that day was nothing to what it’s now, chopping up regardless of its August billing which made for difficult underfoot circumstances.
Final outcomes are totally different too. Stephen Cluxton’s 2011 kick to win the All-Eire closing ‘launched the beast’ as they went to dominate for a decade whereas Ross Carr’s boot towards Derry was pivotal to their All-Eire success in 1991.
To offer a barometer of kinds for what O’Shea did on Sunday, we’ve compiled a listing of among the greatest last-gasp strikes which have gained key video games, or drawn them to power replays or extra-time during the last 40 years.
Naturally there are omissions and in a few circumstances, there was nonetheless time, albeit little or no, left. However they continue to be iconic kicks in their very own proper. Of these included, solely Peter Canavan’s in 2005 got here from the arms.
Seán O’Shea kicks Kerry’s successful level towards Dublin final Sunday
2022 All-Eire semi-final –Seán O’Shea (Kerry) v Dublin
The 53-metre distance, the energy of the wind, the strain that prevailed, his arduous operating sport depleting his power by the 76th minute however above all the burden of latest historical past connected to this fixture makes this the No 1 kick.
2011 All-Eire closing –Stephen Cluxton (Dublin) v Kerry
From about 10 metres nearer than O’Shea however from an angle, Cluxton too had the burden of latest historical past of the fixture upon him. The result was better than another comparable kick.
1991 Ulster semi-final – Ross Carr (Down) v Derry
From 55 yards, Carr transformed understanding there was no time left to play, to stage their semi-final with Derry, their greatest rivals within the province on the time (Down 0-13, Derry 1-10). They gained the replay. And the All-Eire title for the primary time in 23 years.
Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty celebrates with Rian O’Neill after O’Neill scored the free that despatched them to extra-time towards Galway
2022 All-Eire quarter-final – Rian O’Neill (Armagh) v Galway
For approach, energy and nerve, O’Neill’s kick for extra-time after a stirring comeback ranks excessive and will nicely have been longer than O’Shea’s due to the angle.
2021 All-Eire semi-final – Rob Hennelly (Mayo) v Dublin
Like O’Shea, large weight of latest historical past within the fixture was on Hennelly when he stood over a 45-metre free, needing it to go between the posts to power extra-time. What’s extra it was a retake, including to the strain. However he delivered and Mayo beat Dublin for the primary time in 10 years although the final word final result didn’t stay as much as the kick.
2017 All-Eire closing – Dean Rock (Dublin) v Mayo
Had a GPS from Lee Keegan to take care of in his run-up however Rock nonetheless held his nerve from 40 metres to successfully seal the three-in-a-row, though there was nonetheless time to play after.
1991 Connacht closing – Derek Duggan (Roscommon) v Mayo
From an estimated 60 yards, Duggan’s kick was in all probability equal in size to O’Shea’s to earn Roscommon a attract Castlebar after Liam McHale had posted what felt like a winner.
Tyrone’s Peter Canavan kicks the successful level for victory over Armagh in injury-time
2005 All-Eire semi-final – Peter Canavan (Tyrone) v Armagh
Owen Mulligan handed the ball Canavan understanding there was just one man for the job. Out of his arms from a good angle although solely 25 metres out, Canavan obliged and so they’d go on to win a second All-Eire title.
1985 All-Eire semi-final – Eamonn McEneaney (Monaghan) v Kerry
Monaghan have been rank outsiders however McEneaney knew what was at stake with the final kick from 46 metres when he transformed to make it 2-9 (Monaghan) to 1-12 and power a draw. Monaghan couldn’t capitalise on his heroics within the replay nonetheless.
1991 Leinster first spherical, second replay – Brian Stafford (Meath) v Dublin
From 40 metres, Stafford curled over a degree to power extra-time as soon as extra and maintain Meath within the hunt of their fabled four-match collection. Each ball felt like strain then however Stafford struck calmly.
2010 Connacht closing – Donie Shine (Roscommon) v Sligo
Sligo did a quantity on each Mayo and Galway however Shine stepped up from a good angle, near the sideline about 30 metres out to supply a winner, 0-14 to 0-13. There was nonetheless time to equalise after that however the worth of what Shine did can’t be undersold.
1987 All-Eire semi-final – Larry Tompkins (Cork) v Galway
They didn’t win the All-Eire that yr or the subsequent however how essential to Cork’s future supremacy was Tompkins’ conversion of a 50-yard free to make it 1-11 every with the final kick and earn a replay which they subsequently gained?
