As one disgruntled St Vincent's supporter remarked, "40 minutes is a long time in football". But, amazingly, that is exactly how long it took his team to register a score at Parnell Park, as Erin's Isle produced an astonishing comeback in this Dublin senior football championship semi-final replay.

The northsiders had raced into a 2-4 to 0-0 lead, with Brian McManus capitalising on early transgressions by the Erin's Isle defence to score two goals.

But the Erin's Isle team, noted for their battling qualities, shook off their poor start, with the Barr Brothers, Keith and John, now dominant in midfield. Allied to Mick Deegan's tireless display, this allowed the west Dublin team to rattle off points, including one 50-yard effort from Keith Barr.

Although Senan Moylan briefly regained the initiative for Vincent's, there was no denying Erin's Isle, who finally clinched a famous victory when Charlie Redmond floated over the match-winning point from a free in the last minute.

Erin's Isle: T Quinn; K Spratt, JJ O Keefe, M Naughton; D Collins, M Deegan, G O'Connell; K Barr (0-1), J Barr; C Redmond (0-5), P Cunningham, E Barr; C O'Hare (0-2), R Boyle (0-1), N Crossan (0-3).

St Vincent's: M Doyle; R Lambe, J Calvert, S Magill; T Feehan, E Heery, C McCarthy; A Gleeson (0-1), P Gilroy; S Moylan (0-1), J Hayes (0-2), P Cunningham; P Brady, B McManus (2-0), A Stack (0-1). Subs: P Giles for McCarthy; S Brady for Cunningham.

Referee: G McCabe.

Louth ran out winners of a high-scoring game at Dundalk yesterday, to lift the McGough Cup in an annual challenge match with Down.

McGough Cup (SF challenge) - LOUTH 4-9 - G Curran (0-1), C Grimes, C O'Hanlon (10), O McDonnell (0-2), S White (1-2), M Stanfield (0-2), M Cassidy (0-1, P Kelly (1-0), J Moroney (1-1). DOWN 1-14 - M McMurray (0-1), O Sloan (0-1), G Deegan (0-3), G McMahon (0-1), L Parr (0-2), P Sloan (0-1), A Quinn (1-3), G Cunningham (0-1), B Loughran (0-1).