break. Galway still retained a sizable lead when midfielder Liam Currams (sporting a light beard in what was then a clean-shaven world) soloed forward to score a sweet point. Michael O'Hehir the RTE commentator likened the sliotar on Currams's hurley to "a fried egg on a frying pan". Centre-back Pat Delaney landed an inspirational point from a huge distance. From the puck-out, Galway quickly sent to Noel Lane in the danger area, who whipped in a ferocious shot. Damien Martin was at full stretch in less than a heartbeat, to somehow turn its trajectory around the upright. Offaly made the most of their reprieve, Johnny Flaherty reducing the margin to two with a well-worked point. Pat Delaney reached skyward to intercept Iggy Clarke's long clearance, laying off to Brendan Bermingham at half forward who hand-passed to Johnny Flaherty, momentarily in the clear. Although the defence converged rapidly, Flaherty palmed over his left shoulder to the net. It was a goal that staggered the Tribesmen, and gave fresh light to the ancient writing on the Walls of Galway: "From the fury of the O'Flaherties, Good Lord deliver us". Offaly scored twice more for a three-point margin of victory (2-12 to 0-15). Reverberations in Clareen, 1980 and 1981 On the "domestic" scene, Seir Kieran went down to Kinnitty (1-19 to 3-8) and to Ballyskenagh (4-9 to 4-7) in the 1980 Senior Hurling Championship, and to St Rynagh's (4-16 to 2-7) in 1981. Even so, their contribution to the Faithful County's cause gave a tremendous boost to the profile of the club, and to its grip on the imagination of the rising generation in Clareen. The massive Bob O'Keeffe trophy came to the Seir Kieran National School in March 1981, along with Leinster Championship medal-holders Noel Bergin, Joe Mooney and Eugene Coughlan. Club chairman Tim Mulrooney, Offaly hurling secretary Tony Murphy, and Seamus Mulrooney were in attendance as well. There were even more ebullient scenes when Offaly recorded their famous All Ireland victory over Galway. On the Monday night, preceded by the Mountbolus Pipe Band, the new Champions had a rapturous reception into Emmett Square in Birr. The platform set up for the occasion was a converted articulated trailer provided by Frank Whitten of Clareen. Similar outpourings of pride and acclaim awaited the panel on its tour of the rural hurling strongholds. When they reached Mrs. May Bruce's post office just above the