A Paul Finlay inspired Monaghan claimed their first national league title for 20 years in thrilling last gasp fashion at Croke Park with a 3-13 to 3-12 victory over Meath.
It may have only been a Div 2 league title but the Farney Men celebrated wildly a first national crown since the Sean McCague led team of 1985.
Back in that golden era of the 1980s Kieran 'Jap' Finaly was a star and it was fitting that his son, Paul, swung this tie in injury-time with a bizarre winning goal.
Trailing by two points after an absorbing game Finlay dropped in a 40 metre free that skidded off the fist of Meath sub Mark Ward on the goal line and into the net.
It was the last kick of an amazing game that saw both sides turn in huge displays, doing their championship credentials no harm at all.
Ultimately, Monaghan reigned supreme with Thomas Freeman hitting a superb 2-3 on the day and his brother, Damien, lifting the trophy aloft after a joyful pitch invasion.
It was thrilling stuff and tough luck on a Meath side that thought they had done enough with Kevin Reilly, Niall Kelly, Trevor Giles and sub Ollie Murphy turning in huge displays.
Finlay's fluke goal ensured that Monaghan claimed the spoils though with the Div 1 final rightly pushed back to accommodate the pitch invasion.
It was an unexpected end to an energetic game and ironic that Meath, who have stole so many famous late victories in the past themselves, were suckered this time.
They'll be happy with their performance though and despite leaking two first-half goals, both to Freeman, fought back to trail just 2-6 to 2-5 at the break.
The inclusion of former All-Star forward Murphy after the break was inspired and his 38th minute goal put Meath 3-6 to 2-7 ahead.
Points from Daithi Regan and Trevor Giles put Meath four ahead and the game was theirs for the taking.
Finlay, Nicky Corrigan and Freeman pulled back points for Monaghan and by the 60th minute they were back level at 2-12 to 3-9.
But Meath had a second kick and Ward hinted that he could be the hero with a wonderful 67th minute solo point and another from Brian Farrell put Meath two ahead in injury-time.
Finlay and Ward combined in amazing fashion at the death, however, for Monaghan to steal an historic victory with that memorable goal.
