Another weekend and another host of county champions crowned – and a reminder of why it's not over until it’s over.
Of the 17 senior finals played in hurling and football on Saturday and Sunday, five finished level after 60 minutes and a further five were decided by three points or less.
Even the Tyrone semi-final replay between Loughmacrory and Carrickmore – one of the most highly-anticipated Red Hand club games in many years given their parish rivalry – came down to the final seconds as Ruairi McCullagh kicked a two-pointer to send the Lough through to their first-ever final by the narrowest of margins.
Of course, the weekend's games provided another example of the peculiarity of the GAA. A hurling final in Limerick ends level and it’s off to extra-time - Na Piarsaigh getting the better of Doon – but draws in Meath and Westmeath, as well as in Mayo and Fermanagh on the football side of things, and it’s a replay.
One of the biggest stories from the weekend was Athy’s victory over Naas in the Kildare football final, ending their opponent’s four-year reign as champions.
Barry Kelly grabbed the crucial goal in the 1-17 to 0-18 win with former Tyrone defender Cathal McCarron amongst those in red to have a special game.
The full-time whistle - and the celebrations in Athy on Sunday night as the lorry made its way to Emily Square - felt like a community celebrating twice over as their last success, in 2020, was a 'Covid final’ played in front of 200 people with the post-match festivities completely blunted.
David Hyland’s speech as he lifted the Dermot Bourke Cup had a Golden Cleric ring to it at times, and why not? There’s no motivation like feeling you’re being written off. There was plenty of emotion too as he remembered his late mother Maura.
"I felt her there today. I went up to the graveyard this morning and, as I was coming out, Barry Kelly was going in to see his grandad. It was emotional."
Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland afterwards, Hyland expanded on what the trophy meant to the club.
SUNDAY'S COUNTY FINAL RESULTS AND REPORTS
"A lot of emotion (has) gone into the last four weeks just for the final whistle to go and look up and you’re more than one point up; it’s absolutely brilliant," he said.
"I wasn’t lying when I was talking there, I’ve such admiration for what they (Naas) have done, the culture they’ve created, just jealousy and envy for what they've achieved. They’re a brilliant team, brilliant footballers, a great group of guys as well.
"Look, everything has to stop somewhere and we’re just glad that we’re the ones that stopped it."
While one club’s long winning run came to an end, another’s was extended as Kilcoo made it seven Down titles in succession thanks to a 1-17 to 1-11 win over Carryduff.
As the 2009 season started, Kilcoo had nine Mourne crowns to their name with the last coming in 1937. They now have 22 and have won 13 of the last 14 with Burren in 2018 denying them one of the most dominant streaks in GAA history.
Carryduff had former Fermanagh midfielder Eoin Donnelly in their engine room and while he got a goal, it wasn’t to be for the Belfast side.
There was more joy for his former Erne midfield partner Ryan Jones though who starred as Leitrim Gaels claimed a first Leitrim title.
Along with brothers Garvan and Conall, the trio transferred from Derrygonnelly – who drew their Fermanagh final with Erne Gaels on Saturday – and made an immediate impact with Ryan’s two brothers posting 0-10 between them in the 1-19 to 0-14 win over Ballinamore.
Up north, very north actually, there was a famous day for St John’s as they defeated favourites Loughgiel in the Antrim SHC final in Ballycastle.
The side had recently ended their semi-final hoodoo against Cushendall to spark wild scenes, but they recovered emotionally to edge the two-time All-Ireland champions as they lifted the Volunteer Cup for the first time in 52 years.
While Belfast had no luck in the Down football final, the city did have the honour of housing the Antrim hurling champions for the first time in 21 years with Rossa last having that honour back in 2004 – Loughgiel again on the receiving end on that occasion.
Watch the Dublin Senior Hurling Championship final, Na Fianna v Lucan Sarsfields, on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
