Dublin edged rivals Kerry to reclaim the All-Eire Soccer title with a 1-15 to 1-13 victory in a fascinating last at Croke Park.
Regardless of a primary half largely dominated by the Dubs, Paul Geaney’s purpose gave Kerry a one-point lead on the break.
Kerry stretched their result in three earlier than Paddy Small’s purpose introduced Dublin again into it.
Shut all the best way, Dublin confirmed their big-day expertise to win by two factors and deny Kerry back-to-back titles.
It’s Dublin’s first Sam Maguire triumph since they accomplished their six-in-a-row in 2020, whereas Kerry are left to mirror after failing to safe successive titles for the primary time since 2007.
On the sound of David Gough’s last whistle, the Dublin gamers fell to their knees because the realisation of the tip of a three-year journey again to the highest took over.
The Dublin followers roared prefer it was their first, whereas there was utter dejection from these clad in inexperienced and gold as, after a yr within the solar, they have been pressured to observe the acquainted sight of Dublin celebrations at Croke Park.
Farrell hails Dublin workforce after All-Eire triumph
Dublin not have the aura of invincibility synonymous with the Jim Gavin period, however their return to the highest – which has included a quick stint again down in Division Two and painful championship semi-final defeats by Mayo and Kerry – is the mark of a county whose need to be the most effective stays admirably undimmed.
It’s Dublin’s thirty first Sam Maguire Cup – seven in need of Kerry’s file haul – however considerably it’s a file ninth medal for Dublin captain James McCarthy, Stephen Cluxton and Michael Fitzsimons.
All three of these gamers featured for Dublin within the 2011 last win over Kerry, the success which kickstarted the county’s All-Eire dominance, and like that recreation 12 years in the past – which Dublin gained by a degree because of a late Cluxton rating – this was a tough last to name as Gaelic soccer’s two most adorned counties traded blows at a raucous Croke Park.
Geaney purpose provides Kerry edge
For a lot of the primary half, it appeared as if all of the half-time chat would give attention to Dublin’s dominance and sensible defending.
Whereas the Dubs solely managed six scores, they have been irritating Kerry on the different finish with Michael Fitzsimons’ excellent man-marking job on David Clifford emblematic of an aggressive and organised blue defensive unit.
There have been clear examples of Dublin’s defensive superiority. After being arrange by Paudie Clifford, it appeared as if Paul Geaney was going to attain a Kerry purpose after simply 5 minutes, and whereas his shot was going vast, Brian Howard took no possibilities as he swept it away from hazard.
Later within the half, in one of many uncommon situations of him really shaking off Fitzsimons, David Clifford appeared to have carved a purpose likelihood of his personal, however with Fitzsimons on the bottom, two extra Dublin defenders charged on the Kerry ahead to show the ball over.
Dublin captain James McCarthy lifts the Sam Maguire Cup, a file ninth triumph for McCarthy alongside team-mates Stephen Cluxton and Michael Fitzsimons
On the different finish, Dublin have been having extra pleasure. After Stephen Cluxton knocked over an early ’45, there have been advantageous scores from Brian Fenton and Paul Mannion (2) in addition to a Cormac Costello free.
When Cluxton fired over his second level, Dublin have been 0-6 to 0-4 and looking out on prime going into half-time till David Clifford managed to create house out on the best and discover Geaney with a luxurious move inside, the total ahead preserving his composure earlier than firing the ball to the Dublin internet.
It was the primary championship purpose Cluxton had conceded for the reason that 2019 All-Eire last replay, and it felt like an actual momentum-shifter with three Seanie O’Shea factors and David Clifford’s early effort from play the one scores the Kingdom managed previous to their inexperienced flag.
Dubs end strongly to interrupt Kerry hearts
With Kerry nonetheless one up early within the second half, Con O’Callaghan thundered a shot off the crossbar for Dublin earlier than Paudie Clifford and Geaney stretched Kerry’s result in three.
And whereas Colm Basquel responded, a advantageous David Clifford effort saved Kerry three forward earlier than the holders gifted Dublin a approach again into the sport. Gavin White coughed up possession to Basquel, who discovered Small, the Dublin quantity 10’s deflected effort beating Shane Ryan within the Kerry purpose.
Small’s purpose levelled the sport at 1-8 apiece, and whereas Kerry appeared as if that they had pulled away by reeling off an unanswered trio of scores, Dublin hit the following 4 to edge again in entrance.
In a gripping conclusion, Killian Spillane’s sensible rating levelled the sport earlier than Small tapped over a degree after a advantageous move inside by substitute Jack McCaffrey.
Kerry levelled once more when Sean O’Shea stroked over a free from shut vary after David Clifford gained a free off Michael Fitzsimons having shot vast.
Nevertheless it was Dublin who completed strongly, with Mannion capping a superb particular person efficiency to edge his aspect again forward after Dean Rock’s efforthad been crushed away by Shane Ryan earlier than Basquel picked up the items and fed the onrushing Mannion.
Kerry’s destiny was sealed when David Clifford’s tough afternoon was capped by him passing up a chance to stage along with his fourth vast of the sport earlier than Dean Rock knocked over a free within the dying seconds to substantiate Dublin’s return to the summit and spark jubilant scenes amongst these in blue at Croke Park.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton (0-2, 1f, 1 ’45); Eoin Murchan, Michael Fitzsimons, David Byrne; James McCarthy, John Small, Lee Gannon; Brian Fenton (0-2), Brian Howard (0-1); Paddy Small (1-1), Paul Mannion (0-5, 1f), Ciaran Kilkenny; Cormac Costello (0-1, 1f), Con O’Callaghan, Colm Basquel (0-2).
Subs: Jack McCaffrey for Gannon (’49), Niall Scully for Costello (’55), Sean McMahon for Howard (63), Cian Murphy for Murchan (66), Dean Rock (0-1) for P Small (68).
Kerry: Shane Ryan; Graham O’Sullivan, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan; Paul Murphy, Tadhg Morley, Gavin White; Diarmuid O’Connor, Jack Barry; Dara Moynihan, Sean O’Shea (0-5, 4f), Stephen O’Brien; Paudie Clifford (0-3), David Clifford (0-3, 1f), Paul Geaney (1-1).
Subs: Brian O Beaglaioch for Murphy (56), Adrian Spillane for Moynihan (58), Micheal Burns for O’Brien (58), Killian Spillane (0-1) for Geaney (63), Mike Breen for Barry (67).
Referee: David Gough (Meath)