This was a game St Thomas' weren't expected to win but it turned out to be one that they simply refused to lose.
On several occasions throughout the marathon Portlaoise encounter, which ended up being decided by a penalty shoot-out, the six-in-a-row Galway champions looked like a spent docket.
With 64 minutes and 15 seconds on the clock, for example, Conor Sheahan lofted over a point that put hot favourites Ballygunner ahead and on the cusp of an All-Ireland club final date with O'Loughlin Gaels or Cushendall on January 20/21.
Conor Cooney hit back, however, with what proved to be the levelling point that forced extra-time at 1-18 to 2-15.
Then, just as Ballygunner looked to have finally wrestled victory their way with a three-point lead in the first-half of extra-time, St Thomas' came thundering back into it again and actually led by one themselves with 82 minutes played.
It took an arching Billy O'Keeffe point for Ballygunner right at the death just to force penalties and we wondered if, finally, St Thomas' would be beaten.
They held their nerve though and successful penalty conversions from free-taker Cooney, who'd finished the game as top scorer with 0-14, Darragh Burke, Eanna Burke and Evan Duggan sealed a landmark win.
Having won just two of their previous seven semi-finals, they deserved a good break this time and will feel that a second All-Ireland to match their 2013 national success is well within their grasp now.
As for Ballygunner, it's desolation for a side that looked so assured after cruising to a 10th consecutive Waterford title and a record third in Munster. Dessie Hutchinson, who missed one of the penalties, finished with 1-04 for them, as did Patrick Fitzgerald, but they ultimately slipped to their fourth All-Ireland semi-final defeat from five outings.
St Thomas', seven weeks on from claiming their eighth Galway SHC title, were boosted before the throw-in by confirmation of David Burke’s availability at midfield, wearing number 19.
The 2017 All-Ireland winning Galway captain had only been fit enough for a short cameo late in the October 29 Galway SHC final win over Turloughmore following a cruciate knee ligament injury but lasted the duration this time.
Buoyed also by a vocal travelling support, St Thomas' were at it from the word go and had the sliotar in the net within 90 seconds.
James Regan grabbed that early goal, Oisin Flannery’s precise pass from the right leaving him with only the 'keeper to beat from close range.
Ballygunner hit back with goals from Fitzgerald and Hutchinson in the fifth and ninth minutes.
Both were beauties, Fitzgerald tearing through the centre of the St Thomas’ defence for the first Gunners goal and Hutchinson blasting to the bottom corner soon after from about 20 metres.
Suddenly, the favourites were back in control with a 2-01 to 1-02 lead but while Hutchinson finished the half with 1-02 and Fitzgerald showed his vast ability again with a killer pass to Paddy Leavey for a point, the Munster champions found moments of inspiration thin in the ground.
St Thomas’, in comparison, came roaring into the game in the second quarter and reeled off five points in a row at one stage, to roars of approval from their blue and red clad fanbase.
The westerners were playing with a stiff wind admittedly and goalkeeper Gerald Kelly pointed a 23rd minute free from inside his own 45.
David Burke nailed a long-range score too as St Thomas' reached the interval with a deserved 1-10 to 2-05 lead.
By that stage, the match-ups were well established. Hutchinson was closely tracked by St Thomas’ corner-back Cian Mahony while Fintan Burke, Man of the Match in the Galway final, kept tabs on Ballygunner full-forward Kevin Mahony who’d netted twice in Munster. Eanna Burke, scorer of 2-02 in the Galway final, switched between the full-forward and centre-forward positions.
The concern from a St Thomas’ perspective was that a two-point half-time lead may not be enough considering the elements.
And so it proved. Ballygunner took full advantage of the breeze after the restart. They sniped five points in a row between the 33rd and 41st minutes and should have had a goal during that period as Tadhg Foley’s seemingly simple pass to an unmarked Kevin Mahony was badly overhit.
Still, Ballygunner had snatched vital momentum and when they took the lead in the 38th minute with a Pauric Mahony point from play, they were in a strong position.
They were two points ahead at the three quarter stage following a Fitzgerald point, 2-11 to 1-12, but this one always looked like it might go the distance.
Five times in the closing quarter the sides were level as Cooney capitalised on undisciplined defending with a series of St Thomas’ points from frees, including the 67th minute equaliser.
Ballygunner looked to have finally cracked the south Galway men when they struck the first three points of extra-time.
But the 2013 All-Ireland winners simply wouldn’t yield and ended up a point ahead themselves at the death.
Eanna Burke thought he’d won it for them with an 82nd minute point but Billy O’Keeffe popped up with a Ballygunner bombshell in the form of a levelling score – forcing penalties.
St Thomas’: Gerald Kelly (0-01, 0-01f); Cian Mahony, Fintan Burke, David Sherry; John Headd, Shane Cooney, Cathal Burke; Damien Finnerty, David Burke (0-01); Darragh Burke (0-01), Conor Cooney (0-14, 0-13f), Victor Manso; James Regan (1-01), Eanna Burke (0-03), Oisin Flannery (0-01).
Subs: Evan Duggan (0-01) for Sherry (53), Damien McGlynn for Manso (53), Bernard Burke for Darragh Burke (57), Evan Brady for Cathal Burke (62). Darragh Burke for Flannery (e/t), Flannery for McGlynn (68), Cathal Burke for Headd (h/t e/t), Sherry for Cathal Burke (72).
Ballygunner: Stephen O’Keeffe (0-01); Ian Kenny, Barry Coughlan, Tadhg Foley; Philip Mahony; Shane O’Sullivan, Paddy Leavey (0-01), Ronan Power; Conor Sheahan (0-01), Pauric Mahony (0-07, 0-06f); Peter Hogan (0-01), Mikey Mahony; Patrick Fitzgerald (1-04), Kevin Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson (1-04).
Subs: Harry Ruddle for Fitzgerald (75), Cormac Power for Hogan (75), Billy O’Keeffe (0-01) for Sheahan (79).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).
