Two injury-time Seanie Germaine goals saw Wicklow steal the Allianz Hurling League Division 3 title from Donegal's grasp as they turned a five-point deficit into a one-point win late on, the Garden County prevailing 3-16 to 2-18 in Aughrim.
On what was a perfect day for hurling, those who travelled to Echelon Park were treated to a classic as both sides looked to have the game under control at different stages.
Minutes before Germaine’s heroics, the latter of those securing his hat-trick, it was Donegal captain Liam McKinney who looked to be the match-winner as he scored 1-03 in a row to give his side the five points that Germaine dramatically clawed back.
Wicklow started the game the brighter with Fionn Darcy, fresh from his haul of 2-07 against Louth, instrumental in the opening stages.
Pádraig Doyle, who excelled all day, landed the game's opening score before Darcy followed with his own.
McKinney replied with his first of the day, taking a pass from Ronan McDermott, who seconds later spilt the post from his own half for Donegal.
Brandon Ryan hit back for Wicklow, but Donegal found their first groove in the game with three quick-fire points off the sticks of Declan Coulter, Peter Kelly and McKinney again.
Doyle levelled things up and landed a further point following a Sam O’Dowd score for Wicklow.
At this point, the home side looked in control, but Donegal possess players capable of changing the game in an instant – and that was evident once more.
Both sides then traded points before Gavin Browne announced himself in the contest.
The Tir Chonaill wing-back first found himself in behind the Wicklow cover, where he showed great composure to find the corner of the net past the onrushing Conor McNally.
The same man then swung over a beautiful point on the run, once again landing on the break at the right moment.
Josh Cronnolly-McGee won his Donegal side two frees, which McKinney dutifully pointed.
Richie Ryan, with one catch and turn, slotted over to ensure the entire Donegal full-forward line had scored and, more crucially, the Ulster side were seven points ahead.
Wicklow did trim that back to five by the break – 1-11 to 0-09 – with Doyle rounding off the first-half scoring with a brace of frees.
Wicklow were in need of a response early in the second half and Germaine provided it as he flicked home with a deft touch following a goalmouth scramble.
Boosted by this, Wicklow’s half-time substitutes began to take control as Eoin McCormack and Luke Evans both scored with Evans pushing his side in front on the 49th minute.
Both sides then took and lost the lead until McKinney looked to have swung the game in his county’s favour.
For his goal, he latched onto a break on the 45-metre line and raced through the Wicklow defence, burying a strike to the left corner. He further extended his side's’ lead with three more points.
From here the game looked settled as the clock ticked into injury time, but a Germaine rasper meant there was a chance.
With time almost up, Wicklow goalkeeper McNally launched a long free into the Donegal box. It pin-balled there until Evans had a shot blocked down, the rebound falling to Germaine who volleyed home.
Both sides will meet again in three weeks’ time as they face off in the Christy Ring Cup.
Wicklow: Conor McNally; Ben Kearney, Bryan Kearney, Ian Clancy; Tommy Collins, John Henderson, James Boland; Pádraig Doran (0-01 0-01f), Sam O’Dowd (0-03); Brandon Ryan (0-01), Andrew Kavanagh, Jack Doyle; Fionn Darcy (0-01), Pádraig Doyle (0-08, 0-05fs), Seanie Germaine (3-00).
Subs: Luke Evans (0-01) for Jack Doyle (ht), Eoin McCormack (0-01) for Ryan (ht), Jack Phelan for Darcy (65)
Donegal: Luke White; Oisin Kelly, Ciaran Bradley, Steven McBride; Conor O’Grady, Kevin Kealy, Gavin Browne (1-1); Danny Cullen, Brian MacIntyre; Liam McKinney (1-08, 0-03fs, 0-02 65s), Ronan McDermott (0-01), Peter Kelly (0-01); Declan Coulter (0-02), Richie Ryan (0-01) Josh Cronnolly-McGee (0-01).
Subs: John Kealy for Peter Kelly (53), Dan Donnelly (0-01) for Ryan (58), Rauri Campbell for Coulter (65), Ryan Hilferty for Browne (66), Conor Diver for MacIntyre (69).
Referee: Matthew Farrell (Offaly).
