LAST Sunday was a memorable day for elder statesman in the various county hurling finals down for decision. Liam Maher helped Boherlahan-Dualla to a first Tipperary title in over 50 years while in Wexford, Jimmy Houlihan was helping Rathnure bridge a smaller [gap back to 1990.

The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick hosted a cracking drawn final between Patrickswell and outsiders Adare where the favourites got caught in injury-time by two points from Anthony Houlihan. The top scorer from play was Shane Fitzgibbon, the former Limerick star, who bagged two goals as Adare maintained the nerve-wracking form that has seen them stare into the abyss several times this championship.

Fitzgibbon wasn't unduly surprised by his club's progress. "We've been one of the top four or five teams in the county. This was our fourth final in 10 years."

The county side's progress to the All-Ireland final had a major impact on the championship with the first phase not completed until September, instead of July. The delays meant that teams were forced to play every week for nearly two months.

Adare's passage has been even more hair-raising than that of the county team in last summer's Munster championship. Trailing by five points in injury-time against Claughaun, they hit two goals to squeak home. In injury-time against Bruree, the target was even bigger - six points - but another two goals cancelled the margin and forced a replay.

By such standards, a two-point deficit in last Sunday's injury-time was almost nonchalantly pegged back.

"We were," says Fitzgibbon, "misfortunate to have conceded a goal with four or five minutes left when we were leading by a point."

"Amongst the players, there's always been a great belief that we were good enough to compete and win. The '93 county final was the baggage we were carrying. We were badly beaten by Patrickswell so getting a draw caused euphoria amongst our supporters. But among the team, there's a realisation that we've won nothing, that there's a lot of work to be done."

The replay is set to go ahead next Sunday at the Gaelic Grounds. There may, however, be an approach to Munster Council to defer the provincial championship meeting between the winners and Clare champions Wolfe Tones.