Most GAA writers and analysts are, understandably, reluctant to apply epithets like 'epic', 'greatest ever' and so on to any game, no matter how good it seems on the day, writes An Fear Rua…

Such reluctance is understandable. Excessive use of superlatives in describing games can render the words a devalued currency. Sometimes, in the heat of a Summer's day, with the game in tight contention from end to end for seventy minutes or more and the crowd roaring on renewed effort from tiring players, the sum of a game may seem greater than its individual parts, but less so in the cooler light of the following day. Then, of course, if you nominate a particular game as 'epic' there will always be some smart aleck who'll emerge from the woodwork claiming that an obscure semi-final from 1936 was the better game.

No such reservations, however, apply to today's Guinness All Ireland senior hurling semi-final between Cork and Wexford.

This was an epic game. It will rank high in the 'Top Ten Best Games Ever' of any neutral follower. Not just because it was so exciting. Not just because the outcome was decided by a goal nearly three minutes into added time with the final puck of the game. But because it consistently brimmed to overflow with everything a great game of hurling should have - superlative skill in abundance, speed, stamina, courage, determination, tactics.

Everyone played their part in this exciting drama: every player among the 'blood-and-bandages' of Rebel Cork or the doughty Yella Bellied Pike Men. Both sideline management teams are to be complimented for their preparation of their respective teams and for the shrewd tactics employed throughout the game. Not least of these, Cork manager Dónal O'Grady, who came under a lot of pressure at half-time to make changes but saw his vision and faith in his panel rewarded by a magnificent second half performance.

In the past, AFR has had occasion to criticise Dublin referee Aodhán MacSuibhne for his refereeing of certain Munster championship games. However, the increased assurance and authority we have observed from him in recent top-level games came to full fruition today. Here was a referee who contributed mightily to the enjoyment level of the game by his informed, sensible application of the rules and the way he handled the players. MacSuibhne, it seems to us, is a man who knows and loves his hurling and it shows in his refereeing. In fairness to the players, as well, it must be recorded that every one of them approached the game in an extremely sportsmanlike manner.

As a showcase of the game of hurling, as an exemplar to young people about how the game can thrill when played in its essence, this clash will be difficult to surpass. Yet, one of the great features of this ancient game is its capacity to surprise and to achieve new heights of endeavour and achievement with each passing championship. So, we may justifiably look forward to some more excellent games before the final destination of the Liam McCarthy Cup is decided for 2003.

If ever there was a game that earned the old cliché 'Neither side deserved to lose' this was it. However, AFR's feels that over the seventy minutes 'plus' Wexford were consistently the classier outfit of the two. At the same time, full credit to Cork for the courage and determination they showed when they rallied in the second half to take the game to Wexford and drive out what looked like a winning lead.

Wexford's game today was planned, calm and methodical. Twenty minutes into the game and all their superlative forwards had scored. Darragh Ryan gave one of the best ever full back performances seen in Croke Park. AFR would go further and say that nothing exemplified the difference in fortune between the two teams than their full-backs' performances. Every touch of the sliothar by Ryan oozed a confidence that spread to every other Wexford player. At the other end, however, Pat Mulcahy never got to grips with the situation - particularly Wexford's hallmark tactic of the high dropping ball - and Cork got nothing in this sector until he swapped with the unflappable Diarmuid O'Sullivan.

Wexford's two Larry's - O'Gorman and Murphy - were assured in everything they essayed. Liam Dunne was surefooted and creative. Cork, on the other hand, displayed their youth and inexperience through a series of inexplicable wides in the opening minutes. By way of contrast, every chance Wexford got, they turned into a score. Although Declan Ruth started with uncharacteristic shakiness, overall, the Model County's backs division snuffed out the Cork forwards and - as the Aer Lingus cabin crew like to say - 'in the unlikely event of' a Cork forward getting in sight of goal, Damien Fitzhenry was there to pull off some excellent diving saves.

At half time, Cork people were still sanguine about their chances and recalled their early second half revival against Waterford in the Munster final. However, instead, Wexford began the second half as they had finished the first. Adrian Fenlon's two points directly from sideline cuts will long live in the memory of everyone who was privileged to witness them. After a lethargic first half, Cork's Mickey O'Connell finally roused himself to fire over a wondrously inspiring point. Not long after, Setanta Ó hAilpín poached a vital goal and - by the fifty-second minute - a point from Joe Deane had put the Rebels ahead for only the second time in the game. Soon after, Darren Stamp fluffed a sideline cut and McCarthy pointed for Cork at the other end. On fifty seven minutes, Joe Deane had another of his trademark goals for Cork.

Now the pressure was on Wexford. Now they would be put to the test as never before in this year's championship. The wise men in the stands and terraces nodded sagely and predicted that the young Cork team would start to drive home their advantage against a Wexford side that contained five players over the age of thirty. But, as the 1916 leader, PH Pearse once asked in another context: 'Oh wise men, riddle me this. What if the dream come true? What if the dream come true?' And, for Wexford, the dream did come true. But even dreams need scores like Paul Codd's point from a pinpoint Larry Murphy pass and Mitch Jordan's wondrous goal to make them come true. Wexford underlined that age has nothing got to do with hurling. What matters more is heart.

At this stage, it looked like Wexford might have weathered the storm and steadied the ship for home port. Cork, however, pulled out to a 2-20 to 2-17 lead with only seconds left in added time and it might have been more had they not squandered for good scoring chances. If there is a quibble about the Wexford performance it arises perhaps in those final three or four minutes. Twice, in his over-anxiety for a goal, Larry Murphy fluffed chances that might have been put to better use as points. And the introduction of ace score-poacher, Chris 'Hopper' McGrath, might profitably have been made a bit earlier than in the dying minutes of the game.

But it is the final, aching moments of this game that will be etched indelibly in the memory when others have faded. You have to salute the calmness, the ice-cool temperament of Fitzhenry as he placed an almighty puck out to the left of the forward line, the nonchalant hand pass on from Mitch Jordan and the brilliance of Rory McCarthy who calmly finished to the net as if he were merely 'hurling in the field' down in Rosslare with Liam Griffin and the lads or 'against the dairy door' in Rathnure with the ghosts of the Rackard brothers smiling over his shoulders.

It is too much to expect that the replay will come anywhere near this game in intensity. The sheer proximity of the two games will probably see to that. The wise men - 'the men with the keen long faces', to quote Pearse again, no doubt, will fancy