WHILE BRIAN ENRIGHT is happy to admit his wife Jeanette did all the hard work, becoming a dad for the first time at 5am is hardly ideal preparation for any game, let alone the final of the Tipperary senior football championship.

But that’s exactly what the Cahir goalkeeper did on Sunday after his wife gave birth to their first child, Dylan, in the early hours of the morning in Clonmel Hospital.

“He decided to make an appearance before the county final,” Enright told TheScore.ie today. “I have to give him that at least.

“Jeanette went into labour at about 11pm the night before and Dylan arrived at 5am. Because of the way it all went, I didn’t really get any sleep but I did snooze for about ten minutes maybe at 7.30am but that was it.”

With throw-in at 1.30pm in what was supposed to be the final GAA county senior final of 2014, the 32-year old knew he would be relying on adrenalin to keep him focused during the game.

“Sure look, how could you not keep yourself awake for a county final? I was just really focused on the game and determined to perform at my best, keep my concentration for the whole game and not make any mistake.”

Brian Enright after yesterday's game. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The former Tipperary inter-county keeper was called into action in the early stages when he made a brilliant save after Loughmore-Castleiney’s Cian Hennesy split the Cahir defence wide open and looked certain to score.

“Ah I think more was made of that save than was probably in it. It came to me at a nice height so it probably looked much more spectacular than it actually was. To be honest, I probably should have done better with their second goal.”

While the arrival of Dylan is an early Christmas present for the Enright family, there won’t be time for wetting the baby’s head just yet as Cahir and Loughmore must do it all again on St. Stephen’s Day after yesterday’s game ended in a draw.

“At least, once it’s over on Stephen’s Day, we’ll get some bit of Christmas. Obviously, the delays to the county championship have been well documented but, as players, there’s nothing we can do about it.

“At the end of the day, we don’t care when it takes place. We’ve another chance to win a county final and so we’ll play the game wherever, whenever.”

He has good, safe hands, just like his dad. Brian Enright Brian Enright

As for baby Dylan though, Cahir’s future goalkeeper will have to wait just a little longer to see his father in action for the first time.

“I think it might just be a little cold for him just yet.”

With – maybe – a full night’s sleep before the replay, it would be difficult to bet against Cahir going one better on St. Stephen’s Day and toppling the reigning champions even if their new lucky mascot can’t make it along.

Christmas is cancelled in Tipperary as the last GAA county senior final of 2014 ends in a draw

Your ‘It’s A Long Way From Croke Park’ Pic Of The Day