Aaron O’Neill is so much more than a shot-stopper. Aaron O’Neill is a show-stopper.
Four minutes on the clock, five points between the teams. Mayo are coming.
Kildare are hanging on. They’ve decided to preserve what they have. They haven’t scored for 11 minutes and they’ll only manage one more but no goals should see them home.
Except here comes Ross Egan. Bearing down on the posts, in behind the defence and only one man between him and the nets.
But that man is Aaron O’Neill and he’s in no mood to surrender Kildare’s All-Ireland.
If Egan scores, there’s two between the sides. Mayo went on to hit four more points as it was with the time they had and a rippling net here, a green flag would’ve had them bouncing forward with unstoppable momentum.
He hits it true, he hits it hard but O’Neill is in the matrix and he’s read exactly where it’s going before it’s even wound up.
The Kildare goalkeeper drops to his right like a cat, he sticks a hand up, he turns the ball away and the Lilywhites hang on.
Mayo keep coming and close the gap to two before the full time whistle. That goal might’ve won it for them. Not on O’Neill’s watch.
A terrific save from Kildare goalkeeper Aaron O'Neill. pic.twitter.com/NNsS8zvDzt
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 5, 2018
This Kildare team isn’t short of heroes.
The inspiring story of Jack Bambrick had the country talking after his Leinster final performance.
Brian McLoughlin’s class first half goal did just as much damage as O’Neill’s save.
But the Carbury goalkeeper stood up and let every inch of his body be accounted for in his county’s moment of need. Nerveless and flawless, Kildare’s fate was in the safest pair of hands.
Aaron O’Neill is as worthy an All-Ireland champion as they come.
Dublin ✅
Kerry ✅
Mayo ✅All-Ireland championship victories don't come more convincing than that 🔥https://t.co/gmsxtdWCqk
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 5, 2018
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