Carrick-On-Shannon provided the final challenge this time and it looked bad for Athenry, leading 32 from the first leg at home, when they lost the first two games by 5 and 4, and by 8 and 7; and they were 3 down in the third and fourth games after 11 holes.

But it proved lucky 13 for Athenry. It was taking a rescue club or a driver to reach the elevated green on this great parthree and the locals knew they were in trouble when the visitors almost scored an ace in both game three and game four to turn the momentum. Noel Ivers was as happy as any captain could be as he urged his men on.