Hearts froze with the experimental electronic clock in Croke Park yesterday. Although the 25th All-Ireland women's final distinguished itself with the intricate build-ups and precise score-taking which sequinned both halves, the occasion might ultimately be remembered as the day Croke Park bowed to actual time as opposed to the haphazard will of the pocket-watch.
As if to punctuate the beginning of this new age, the devastated Canal End was a grim backdrop to a match rich in colour. Monaghan, champions widely perceived as fading, shook hands with the Taoiseach and promptly ran riot, gushing through a porous Waterford back-line and finishing three goal chances, with Niamh Kindlon, Diane Dempsey and Jenny Greenan the alchemists.
The new siren ushered a shellshocked Waterford team into the break and they emerged with new vitality.
"It was the same as last year," sighed Monaghan's Diane Demp sey afterwards. "They came right back at us and we weren't surprised. But we aren't afraid of them, we play to our own strengths and we'll be keener than ever come the replay."
For a long time, a draw seemed an unlikely scenario. Waterford, smoking from the restart, were blazing with 10 minutes to go.
"At half-time, we thought of last year when we came back as well and we felt we had to make it happen this year. We were pleased enough with a draw in the end," offered livewire Waterford forward Rebecca Hallahan. A late goal by young substitute Ciara McGuinness resuscitated Monaghan's faltering ambitions and they finished strongly in the tempest of the last five minutes, during which the crowd of 16,421 paid increasing attention to the clock on the Hill.
Only in the dying seconds did the athletes themselves pay homage. "I remember looking at it with 1.23 to go or something and that was the first time I was aware of it. I'd say it's probably an advantage overall," said Rebecca Hallahan.
Last night, Croke Park had yet to fix a date for the replay. Earlier, Louth were victorious in a pulsating junior final, defeating Roscommon by 4-8 to 2-9.
