BY Tommy Nethery
KEY moments readily spring to mind when reflecting on Tyrone's previous All-Ireland triumphs in 2003 and 2005.
The historic first will forever be remembered for Conor Gormley's magnificent block on Armagh hitman Steven McDonnell while etched firmly in the memory is that all-important Peter Canavan goal in the momentous 2005 victory over Kerry.
Sunday's pulsating 1-15 to 0-14 encounter produced yet another pivotal moment on which the final outcome hinged. With 66 minutes on the clock and the Kingdom in the process of overturning the Red Hands' early second-half advantage, goalkeeper Pascal McConnell, deputising for John Devine whose father had tragically passed away less than 24 hours earlier, wrote his name into Tyrone folklore.
Kerry half forward Declan O'Sullivan galloped through the Tyrone rearguard and looked a sure-fire bet to score a goal that would have given the Kingdom a two-point lead and set Pat O'Shea's men on their way to that much-vaunted tree-in-a-row.
As O'Sullivan scythed through the heart of the Red Hands defence and struck for goal the stadium held its collective breath. Kerry fans prematurely thrust their hands in the air; their Tyrone counterparts feared the worst.
Then destiny intervened. The 6' 4" Newtownstewart custodian stuck out a leg and the ball was diverted wide for a 45'. It was the defining moment, the turning point of a riveting high -octane clash of the heavyweights.
Tyrone players gained renewed inspiration. Kerry's comeback had been stalled and when midfield kingpin Enda McGinley registered the next point, the northerners were on their way to ultimate glory.
Despite his heroics and even amid all the jubilant celebrations of Monday night's homecoming, the unassuming McConnell's thoughts were first and foremost with his goalkeeping colleague John Devine and his family.
"The weekend has been a rollercoaster from start to finish. It started with a tint of sadness with the death of John's father," said the Newtown man, brother of Finbar, who was on the losing Tyrone side of 1995.
"The boys rallied round, there was an added incentive for the boys to go on and get the victory and dedicate it to John and the family. That more than anything gave us great satisfaction."
Focusing momentarily on his dramatic contributon, which helped stem the Kerry tide and spur on his team-mates McConnell added, "I suppose that's what I'm there for and the ball happened to hit me.
"Everybody played their part and I was happy enough to play my part. OK it was unfortunate circumstances, which resulted in me playing. But we're a close-knit family. We're all glad to play our part on any given day and step in whenever needed," said the keeper, who also denied Kerry's highly-rated forward Tommy Walsh with a point-blank save in the first half.
While that defining moment of goalkeeping genius in front of 82,000 plus spectators at Croke Park in 2008 will have left an indelible mark in the history of GAA in Tyrone, McConnell insisted there was still a lot of work to be done in the game before the celebrations could begin in earnest.
"There was still a few minutes left we couldn't rest on our laurels, we had to keep pegging away. We managed to stay in contention.
"The boys knocked over a few scores after that to give us breathing space, a four-point cushion that saw us out to the end."
And reflecting on what had been remarkable victory in winning his third All-Ireland medal, the civil servant added, "It's been a thrilling experience, just unreal. Right back to the game, the City West Hotel for the banquet to the homecoming and heading back to Omagh, it's just been unbelievable. We did it in' 03, '05 and now in '08 and you just have to savour every moment. This is what it's all about."
