Today saw Dublin claim their second All-Ireland Football Championship title in three years as they ran out one point winners over a luck stricken Mayo side.
A rather cagey affair throughout, Mayo looked the better side from the start. The O'Shea brothers laid down a commanding hold on midfield which saw Mayo lead 4 points to 1 after twelve minutes.
Dublin found a way back into the game when Brogan flicked a high ball into the back of the Mayo net. Instead of continuing to dominate after the goal, Dublin retreated back as Mayo kept going forward. Despite their possession, Mayo's lead was cut to a single point.
Dublin took the lead in the second half and by the 50th minute they held a 1-9 to 0-9 lead. Up stepped Andy Moran. Moran slipped a cute low shot in past Cluxton ,who was less than impressive. 1-9 a piece.
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It was now time for one of these teams to step up. The final took another dramatic twist as Brogan slapped in a lose air ball in past Mayo's Hennelly to retake a commanding lead.
Mayo chipped and fought but Connolly and co flew frees across the bar to keep Mayo at bay. Cian O'Connor narrowed Dublin's lead to 1 point but it was to little to late as Dublin won out 2-12 to 1-14.
The Hill rocked at the end of the game but they had little to shout about throughout today's final. Mayo dominated the game but kicked needless wides. Dublin's decision making had a lot to be desired, but Bernard Brogan, who has dealt with a lot of media criticism, answered his critics and popped up when needed. Neither James Horan or Jim Gavin's tactics or game plans came into play as this was truly a dog fight. Mayo will surely bounce back strong for next year but for now, Sam resides in the capital.
Dublin: S Cluxton (0-02, 1 ’45, 1f), P McMahon, R O’Carroll, J Cooper, J McCarthy, G Brennan (0-01), J McCaffrey, MD Macauley, C O’Sullivan (0-01), P Flynn (0-01), C Kilkenny, D Connolly (0-01), P Mannion, P Andrews (0-01), B Brogan (2-03, 0-1f).
Subs: E O’Gara (0-02) for Mannion, Darren Daly for McCaffrey, Dean Rock for Kilkenny, K McManamon for Andrews, D Bastick for Cooper
Mayo: R Hennelly, T Cunniffe, G Cafferkey, C Barrett, L Keegan (0-02), D Vaughan, C Boyle, A O’Shea, S O’Shea (0-01), K McLoughlin, K Higgins (0-01), A Dillon, C O’Connor (0-08, 8f) A Freeman, A Moran (1-2).
Subs: M Conroy for Freeman, E Varley for Dillon, B Moran for S O’Shea, J Doherty for Moran
Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan)
