You learn from experience. Only a week previously, there was Mick Galvin and the Na Fianna mentors flinging subs around with wild abandon. Yesterday it became apparent that the club's near-expulsion for using an illicit, sixth replacement had left the sideline pathologically unable to use any substitutes.

A rip-roaring replay-refixture in Newbridge left Na Fianna and Sarsfields of Kildare barely standing at the end, by which stage the Dubliners had held out, 2-17 to 1-18. Their third meeting in 15 days went into extra-time on a heavy pitch and despite it all - and on a day when he could have used eight substitutes - Galvin ventured none until the 75th minute.

His caution was rewarded with a two-point win and a ticket to play Rathnew in next week's final, also at Newbridge.

For John Courtney, the Sarsfields manager, there must have been mixed emotions. This was a tie his team could have lost by nine points or claimed as a forfeit. They came so close to winning, leading by a point in injury-time, but in defeat gave a proud account of themselves - one that will hide from posterity the total eclipse of the previous week.

"I think Na Fianna were just about the better team on the day but I'm very proud of the lads," he said.

When asked whether it was fair that the final go ahead in a week's time, he advised: "They should probably do a Castletown on it. And we wish them the best of luck in the final."

This was a reference to Laois hurling club Castletown, who lobbied for and got a week's rest before their Leinster hurling final replay - on the grounds that otherwise they would be playing on three successive weeks. Na Fianna will be facing a fifth outing in six weeks.

Given the grace used up in securing yesterday's refixture, Galvin was reluctant to bang any drums on the subject. "I'm afraid to ask the Leinster Council for anything else to be honest," he said.

Trailing by a point in the 62nd minute, Galvin admitted to feelings of despair in the seconds before Senan Connell equalised.

"No, I thought it was gone but we stuck to the game plan - which hadn't always gone right for us today - and I think we were worthy winners in the end.

"There's a lot of sore bodies and wounded men in there. It's been a difficult three weeks but that match was a huge credit to both clubs.

"We made a mistake but the lads have been fantastic about everything. We've won nothing yet and we'll be out next week doing it the hard way. If we don't win then, everything else pales into insignificance."

Meanwhile in London, Ulster champions Ballinderry had a comfortable 14-point win over T∅r Conaill Gaels in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

The Derry side scored two late goals through Declan Bateson and captain Adrian McGuckin to book their place in February's semi-finals on a 2-14 to 0-6 scoreline.

There they will face the winners of next week's Na Fianna-Rathnew Leinster final.