Man of the Match; Ger "Sparrow" O'Loughlin was replaced having got no change out of Kevin Kinahan; while the goalie Stephen Byrne (Kilcormmac/ Killoughey) pulled off three superb saves. This was a team performance and there were no weak links. Michael Bond's charges continued this run of form into the All Ireland Final itself, on 13 September 1998. Once more facing a physically-tough Kilkenny side, Offaly overturned the Leinster Final verdict and won by 2-16 to 1-13. Of a myriad highlights, few would be more talked about than Brian Whelahan's move upfield, to become the fulcrum of the Offaly attack. Before lifting the McCarthy Cup, Offaly captain Hubert Rigney (St Rynagh's) declared: "We may have gone in the back door – but we're coming out the front!" The next issue of the Midland Tribune attempted to sum up, from the Faithful County's point of view, a roller-coaster year: "So who are the heroes? Eighteen on the pitch on Sunday, ten more in the dugout, three in charge, and the team secretary from old Clareen in the background. Brendan Ward too deserves immense credit, along with Christy Todd, and all who contributed to what was the most controversial and the most amazing hurling year of all time." Seir Kieran's eleven championship games of 1998 The Liam MacCarthy Cup stopped off in Clareen on Wednesday, 16 September 1998, another magical night for both club and parish. The All Star Awards won by Joe Dooley and Kevin Kinahan in December were the icing on the cake. Even so, Seir Kieran's main focus remained the Offaly SHC. Apart from Michael Connolly the coach, the selectors for 1998 were Sean Coughlan, Sean Bergin and Willie Dooley. Their first assignment on 25 April was the recently crowned All Ireland Club champions. Conditions were heavy – one of Liam Coughlan's puck-outs plugged without a bounce into the muck – but both sides hurled well. As usual, though, Birr's switches stifled Seir Kieran's early advantage, and they gradually pulled away (Birr 3-14, Seir Kieran 2-7). Another defeat in the second round (Coolderry 1-7, Seir Kieran 0-6) used up more of Seir Kieran's nine lives. On the bright side, they could hope to have Johnny Dooley recovered from injury by the time the domestic championship resumed. Seir Kieran clambered back into contention in the Autumn by four wins in four weeks, beating Drumcullen by 3-10 to 1-8, Lusmagh by