McNulty the man with the golden touch for Donegal Masters

Bernard Brogan and Kevin McManamon are both part of the Dublin Masters' squad this year ©INPHO/James Crombie

Paddy McNulty’s golden score propelled Donegal to an epic All-Ireland Masters final victory over Dublin.

With the sides still deadlocked after extra time, instead of penalties or a replay, they decided that the next score would win and McNulty proved to be the hero when he finally fired over after 17 engrossing minutes of play on top of regulation time and extra time.

Saturday’s riveting final was staged in Lacken, Cavan and the Dubs led by seven points when Darragh Pelly netted 15 minutes from time. After Brian McLaughlin netted for the never-say-die winners to throw them a lifeline, McNulty punched to the net deep into stoppage time to leave the sides deadlocked at the end of normal time: 2-8 to 1-11.

As a wonderful contest reached fever pitch, captain Bernard Brogan and Ross McConnell both missed presentable opportunities to win it for Dublin, but in a dramatic finish, McNulty had the last say for Eddie Crawford’s charges as the Dr Mick Loftus Cup headed for the hills.