The scoreline reads Ballyboden St. Enda’s of Dublin 2-25 Clonkill of Westmeath 2-19. But thats only part of the story.
Originally due to take place in Donnycarney on Sunday, this Leinster club senior hurling semi final took was postponed to a wintry Tuesday night just hours after the burial of a toddler in Delvin, County Westmeath who died in tragic circumstances.
Players from both teams stood for an emotional minute's silence before throw-in in memory of 3 year old Annabel Loughlin daughter of Westmeath hurler and Clonkill GAA club stalwart Enda Loughlin and his wife Eileen.
The community had been united in grief in the days leading up to the match, something not lost on the wider GAA family.
#whatalovelytouch @Bodengaa @DubGAAOfficial 💖💖💚💛💙 pic.twitter.com/J4imcoqNHt
— Clonkillhurling (@Clonkillhurling) November 6, 2018
The Westmeath side hit the ground running just hours after the funeral and the sides were level at 9 points each at the end of first half injury time just before Niall Ryan struck for 'Boden's opening goal to leave the city side 1-09 to 0-10 ahead at half-time.
Ultimately accuracy of Boden deadball specialist Paul Ryan who fired 0-15 in a game that stretched to almost 85 minutes, proved decisive.
Substitute Paul Doherty hit a timely 1-02 in extra-time to seal it for the Dublin champions.
Yet progression to face Coolderry on Sunday week seemed irrelevant in the broader scheme of things.
A point acknowledged by Boden Manager Joe Fortune and Clonkill boss Kevin O Briens afterwards.
The soothing support of friends, family and community can be a great source of strength at times like this.
A Sportsfile pic sums up how we can sometimes actually do some things right in this country.
GAA - need we say more pic.twitter.com/JAH9JOsZvI
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) November 6, 2018
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