Scenes of wild delight as final kick sends Rice into the semi-final

CONNACHT COLLEGES SENIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP

Rice College 3-7

St Jarlath's 1-13

In Bekan

It came down to one kick, one connection between boot and ball, one moment to decide it all.

Four minutes into injury time, at the end of an epic colleges encounter, Jack Dawson stood over a free 35 yards from goal slightly to the right of the posts. It was the last kick of the game, and it would end one set of dreams in the blink of an eye.

Jarlath's were a point clear but Rice only needed a draw to advance so everyone in the ground knew the importance of Dawson's kick.

If he converted the free Rice College would advance to the Connacht semi-final, if he missed, St Jarlath's would be in the last four. The tension was almost unbearable.

The huge Jarlath's travelling support generated noise and distraction, but nothing bothered Dawson. He swung his right boot, liked the connection and as the ball flew between the posts he roared towards the heavens.

Rice had been on life-support just a minute earlier when Jarlath's looked certain to win the game but a stunning penalty save from Conor Meaney kept the Mayo boys clinging to life and they refused to give up.

They carried the ball down the pitch with team captain Lorcan Silke and his former Mayo minor colleague Conor Kelly central to the advance. The Clew Bay boys knew one mistake would end it all, but they didn't panic. Eventually the ball was moved towards the tireless Fionn O'Hora and as he gained possession he was bundled to the ground by a Jarlath's defender. The whistle blew and everyone in the arena knew what was next. 

The game had been hugely interesting from the outset. Jarlath's looked like world-beaters early on. The full-forward line of Luke Dempsey, Jack Heneghan and Cian Farragher would rival any in the country. Behind them, the excellent Ross Coen was majestic at times, while wing-back Cian Rafferty sparkled up and down the left.

The Tuam boys looked comfortable when leading 1-4 to 0-2 after 22 minutes but then everything changed. Full-forward Michael McDonnell caused panic in the Jarlath's ranks every time the ball came his way and when he was fouled in the square, Dawson rolled in the penalty. A minute later a high ball caused mayhem and Killian Conway was on hand to push the ball home.

Jarlath's reacted with points from highly impressive centre-half back Cian Dolan and Rafferty to lead by one at the break but Dawson balanced the scores in the opening moments of the second half and set up a rip-roaring finale. It got even better for Rice two minutes later when Conway lashed home his second goal of the day, but Jarlath's took over after that.

Five points on the spin put them back in the driving seat and when they led 1-12 to 3-3 going into the last ten minutes it was hard to see them being beaten. They would have sealed the deal nine minutes from the end if Meaney hadn't pulled off a brilliant save and gradually the chasers found their feet again.

Two points from Dawson closed the gap to a single white flag going down the pipe, but when Max O'Connell put two between them again after 59 minutes it seemed all over.

Rice stayed calm and stayed in the game. They worked the ball to O'Hora in the last seconds of normal time and he cut the gap to one. That was a critical score and suddenly everyone in the ground became aware of the permutations. All Rice needed was a draw, so the next score was crucial. 

However, it all seemed immaterial after 62 minutes when Jarlath's were awarded a penalty. The curtains were being drawn on Rice at that stage but Farragher's penalty was brilliantly saved by Meaney and the fairytale finish was about to be unveiled in a sea of wild emotion.

A full match report and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News