Where were you when Gerry Lohan stuck it in the net?

There are certain moments in our lives which remain frozen in time. We can picture the exact time, place, and event when the surrounding drama hit and flooded our nervous system with pure unadulterated joy.

On the international stage Houghton’s goal against England in 88, his goal against the Italians at the USA World Cup in 94 and Katie Taylor winning gold at the 2012 Olympics are a few that come to mind.

On a more local Rossie level, it’s very hard to top watching Gerry Lohan drive the ball with force into the corner of the Mayo net in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the Connacht SFC Final at Hyde Park on July 1st, 2001.  (click on the video below to relieve that moment). The breathtaking shot snatched the Nestor Cup out of Mayo hands in the dying seconds of what was a packed Hyde Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon and sent the Rossie faithful into hysteria.

The celebrations from North to South of the county for our first Connacht final win in a decade were chaotic.

Walking out the Racecourse Road past Willie Walshe’s shop at 3 a.m. following the match, still with a headband wrapped around our arms while dressed in t-shirts, our bodies were cold, but our hearts were filled with warm Rossie pride as we hoped someone would pick us up and save us from the long walk back to Castlerea.

The fantastic picture here taken by the late great Mick McCormack simply freezes an incredible Roscommon moment in time. Where were you when Gerry Lohan stuck it in the Mayo net?

Best of luck to the Rossies. Every generation deserves to have a special Hyde moment frozen in time. Hopefully today will be another one.

* Click on the link below for a trip down memory lane.