Looking like some kind of would be Liam Gallagher athlete, Zach Tuohy drove forward. It was as if Croke Park and the big stage was already his natural home.
Long sideburns flowing, the Laois defender ran hard at the Derry defence and cracked a shot to the roof of the net from 15 metres out as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Donie Kingston quickly shot a classy equaliser to send a pulsating 2007 All-Ireland minor semi-final to a replay.
Tuohy rattled the net twice that afternoon. On both occasions Laois were four points behind. And not only that, he did it from wing back.
Read next: Zach Tuohy would welcome link-up with Tyrone's Conor McKenna at Geelong
That mentality of knowing something big is required and then having the engine and ability to deliver it was already there, the substance and steel behind the mod hairdo shining through.
The Laois side also featured future senior talents Kingston, John O’Loughlin, Kieran Lillis and Conor Boyle.
Another member of that Laois team, Conor Meredith tried his hand at Australian Rules - as did Derry’s Chrissy McKaigue.
Laois lost the replay, but AFL scouts were clearly watching Tuohy’s running power and leadership qualities, and a star was born.
“He had the long dangly hair on him,” says Colm Begley, his fellow Laois man who played 30 AFL games for Brisbane and St. Kilda.
“He got a ball around half back and carried it the whole way up the field.
“A serious run and an unbelievable finish and he did it again after as well.”
Tuohy left for Australia in 2008 for Melbourne and the Carlton club.
“He didn’t have it too easy,” says Begley. “He went over to Carlton and they weren’t going unbelievably well.
“He wasn’t straight into an unbelievable club, all well and good. He had a tough enough few years starting off and they weren’t successful.”
Fourteen years after he lit up Croke Park, Tuohy could become just the second Irish player ever to win an AFL Premiership.
His Geelong Wildcats - with Kerry’s Mark O’Connor also on board - face Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday afternoon, 2.30pm local time.
The Grand Final will be Tuohy’s 250th AFL appearance, and the fact it’s the Swans, who Kerry man Tadhg Kennelly won Ireland’s sole Premiership with, adds spice to the occasion.
Tuohy (32) is just 15 AFL games behind the late Jim Synes, who played 264 games for Melbourne Demons.
He could well pass Stynes out next year.
Tuohy’s contract is due to run out at the end of this season, but he has already indicated he will play on in 2023, and that at some point he will return home to play a season of GAA.
He is one of only five Irishmen to play over 100 games, achieving the feat in 2016.
The Portlaoise man really landed in 2013, when he played all 24 games with Carlton.
His longevity and the fact he was, and is, rarely injured made Tuohy an even more prized commodity in a punishing game.
Tuohy’s fellow Laois man Colm Begley knows how hard it is to crack it in the AFL.
The GPA’s Player Welfare and Engagement Manager reckons many people don’t fully understand the magnitude of what Tuohy is doing.
When conversations about Ireland’s greatest sports people come up there is little or no mention of Stynes, an iconic figure in Australia, Ireland’s only AFL Premiership winner and All-Ireland holder, Tadhg Kennelly or Tuohy.
“What he’s done with Geelong since he came there and the level he’s been playing for the last number of years, it’s amazing,” said Begley.
“And even how his body is holding up - I know he’s had a few niggles in the last few years - but he had the most consecutive games behind Stynes for a while there.
“That’s a testament to how he looks after himself and the athlete he is - he’s an unbelievable athlete.
“What Zach has, and Pearce Hanley has the same, is taking on the game a little bit more.
“It is obviously a risk/reward, but they are very confident in their ability to take on the ball, take on the man - a fast paced mindset.
“Decision making is all way and good, but their ability to go after something, take on a guy and beat him and obviously they are very physical.
“There is a bit of ruthlessness in it as well, how physical they are.”
Begley continued: “As regards sports people who have gone to a high level, Zach is one of the best we have.
“It won’t define him, but if he can win the Grand Final in his 250th game it will be the crown jewel, because it’s been an amazing career.
“It would be an amazing achievement.
“To go and do what he did, Stynes paved the way, and then Kennelly did the same.
“Zach and Pearce Hanley have had great careers too. Mark O’Connor too. It’s not easy. It’s a different sport.
“People don’t realise it when they’ve gone away from the GAA circle but from my perspective you have to be very proud of what he has done.”
Tuohy has always maintained strong ties with home.
The Wildcat has returned home to help Portlaoise to Laois Championship titles.
Later this year he will be back in ‘the Town’ for his wedding reception.
Tuohy (32) has carved out a top drawer AFL career after going to Australia in 2008, and playing for 12 seasons at the highest level.
“To be fair to him, one thing I’ll say, he is very humble,” said his fellow Laois man Begley.
“He is still very connected to his club from what I have seen. He gives time to anyone who wants to chat to him. Very impressive guy.
“He mixes back in with his club mates and his friends group has remained the whole way through, constant.
“He is a bit of a messer, a bit of humour to him. You have seen that in some of his interviews. He could probably have a career in media after it if he wanted to.
“He is a good guy. He is a funny guy. He is kind of laid back.
“He deserves it (Premiership title) and so do Geelong, but it will be a tough game, a cracking game.
“Geelong are a brilliant club. A lot of Irish players went over there and I know people who worked there.
“They are very good at managing players and giving them time to develop.
“I think Geelong massively helped up Zach’s ability to be involved and impact a game, to control a game - playing with some real top players.
“They looked at his strengths and how they were going to use him and gave him a bit of freedom halfway through his career to go to the wing, up forward.
“I’d love to see him play in the middle of the field a bit more, but having said that, they have such good midfielders, (Joel) Selwood and (Patrick) Dangerfield, it’s very hard to break into that.
“Zach had the capabilities first of all physically, but also his skill and his mindset. The same for Pearce Hanley. He took the game on and backed himself.”
READ NEXT:
Robbie Brady left smiling when talking about returning to Ireland squad
Return of Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey to Dublin a "mouth watering" prospect, says Robbie Brennan
LIV Golf rebel takes swipe at Shane Lowry over 'one for the good guys' quip
Mike Tindall's medals explained as former England rugby player wears three at Queen's funeral
Conor McGregor, Dee Devlin and kids in Dominican Republic hours before deadly hurricane hits
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
