THE verdict on how the men from the west and the capital fared on the Croke Park pitch...
DUBLIN
Stephen Cluxton: A bad day – seemed to take a kick at Aidan O’Shea, almost gave away a goal, and missed three frees. 5
Jonny Cooper: Mostly picking up Kevin McLoughlin, but booked for a late foul on Diarmuid O’Connor in the 17th minute. Taken off early in second half, probably to avoid a red. 6
Rory O’Carroll: Lasted less than four minutes, taken off with a head wound. Not on long enough to be rated.
Philly McMahon: Delivered long ball for Flynn to win penalty and marked Aidan O’Shea very tightly – but seems to have over-stepped the mark with alleged head-butt and later exaggeration of contact with his opponent. 6
James McCarthy: Lost Diarmuid O’Connor on a few occasions before the break, did better against Doherty. Booked for clattering Cillian O’Connor in first half injury time. 6
Cian O’Sullivan: Started very well as sweeper, but fortunate to escape yellow card for jersey tug on Diarmuid O’Connor, especially as he was then booked for a 43rd minute foul. 6.5
Jack McCaffrey: Allowed Jason Doherty a couple of opportunities that he wasted, but increasingly put him on the back foot. Burst through brilliantly to lead to second goal and scored a fine point. 8
Brian Fenton: A quiet enough display, often dropping back to protect his defence, but did get forward to force save that led to second goal – and was immediately taken off. 6.5
Michael Darragh Macauley: Probably broke even with Séamus O’Shea, putting himself in where it hurts to win possession, and was perhaps harshly black-carded as he did try to tackle the ball. 6
Paul Flynn: Caught a long ball to win Dublin’s penalty and was very influential with his cross-field kick-passing. Deep-lying before the break, more advanced in second half, but to less effect. 7
Ciarán Kilkenny: Very impressive before the break, snapping up a fisted point and moving intelligently to add two more scores from either flank, but faded in second half. 7
Diarmuid Connolly: Despite speculation about a knee problem, lasted almost the entire match until sent-off for striking. Scored the spot kick with authority, added a point and free. 7
Dean Rock: It’s been suggested that he offers little except his free-taking – and he missed an early one of those. Had no joy out of Keith Higgins and did not return for the second half. 5
Paddy Andrews: Started in half-forward line and looked lively, scoring points off both feet, but his impact decreased and Alan Brogan replaced him. 6.5
Bernard Brogan: Seemed to do well to score his first point over a diving block but it may actually have gone wide. Added another in second half but far from his best. 6.5
Substitutes
Kevin McManamon: The man who always seems to make an impact off the bench did so again, wriggling through for a point and stroking in a goal. 7.5
John Small: Replaced Cooper and although Andy Moran escaped him at times he made a vital goal-line block to deny him a goal. 6.5
Denis Bastick: Came on for Macauley and was solid, but was then black-carded himself for a trip. 6
Alan Brogan: Scored a good point and assisted McCaffrey’s point although got away with losing possession. 6.5
Tomás Brady: Made little impression apart from a late run up the right flank. 5.5
Eric Lowndes: Not on long enough to be rated.
Blood substitute
Michael Fitzsimons: Came on for O’Carroll very early on and did well against Cillian O’Connor in open play, including a notable first half tackle. 7
MAYO
Rob Hennelly: Bar a couple of exceptions, his kick-outs were excellent to either wing. Went the right way, but couldn’t keep out Connolly’s penalty. Great stop to deny Brian Fenton in the second half, but Kevin McManaman stabbed in the rebound. 7
Ger Cafferkey: Had spells on Bernard and Alan Brogan, Dean Rock and Paddy Andrews and, as usual, gave his all in the Mayo cause. 6.5
Donal Vaughan: Went off with a shoulder injury after nine minutes. 5
Keith Higgins: Started on Rock and moved to Paddy Andrews, who turned him for a first half point. Had a spell as sweeper too and broke forward to land a vital second half point. 6.5
Lee Keegan: He picked up Connolly and so his attacking runs were few and far between. Scored Mayo’s opening point. Booked late on for his part in the fracas that led to Connolly’s red card. 6.5
Chris Barrett: Lost Bernard Brogan in the first half under Flynn’s high ball. Brogan collected and laid the ball of for Andrews to point. Very disciplined and didn’t concede frees. 7
Colm Boyle: Mayo rotated their sweeper, but Boyle plays the role best. Tackled ferociously and also got forward to win the penalty that dragged the westerners back into the game. 7.5
Séamus O’Shea: His physical jousting in the middle of the field was a feature and he wore Macauley down until the Dub was black-carded. Passing wasn’t as accurate as usual. 6.5
Tom Parsons: Big strong and quick and was booked early on for a big hit on Ciarán Kilkenny. More influence in the second half and his pace and skill earned a free for Cillian O’Connor. 6.5
Diarmuid O’Connor: The only one of Mayo’s six starting forwards to score from play and his point was a second half peach from near the touchline. Earned two frees for big brother Cillian. 7
Aidan O’Shea: His showdown with Philly McMahon crossed the line at times. Didn’t score himself, but had a point ruled out for over-carrying. Won three frees and had claims for a penalty turned down. 7
Kevin McLoughlin: Involved in a row with Johnny Cooper in the opening minutes and put himself about, closing down Dublin defenders with excellent tackling and forcing turnovers. 7
David Drake: Started instead of Barry Moran in defence and acquitted himself well. Had a spell marking Bernard Brogan. Tackling was disciplined. Replaced by Andy Moran after 44 minutes. 6
Cillian O’Connor: See Star Man.
Jason Doherty: His pull on Paul Flynn cost Mayo a penalty. Jack McCaffrey tested his pace in the first half and the Burrishoole forward passed it, but he couldn’t find the scoring touch. 5.5
Substitutes
Patrick Durcan: On for Vaughan after nine minutes and up against Ciarán Kilkenny, who nabbed three points. Better in the second half. 6
Andy Moran: Missed with two efforts before he settled and scored two points. Also robbed Cluxton and had a shot cleared off the line. 7
Alan Freeman: On for Jason Doherty and made his presence felt with a point from play. 6.5
Barry Moran: Came in for Séamus O’Shea after 65 minutes. Could have been introduced earlier. 6
Mickey Sweeney: Not on long enough to be rated.
STAR MAN
Cillian O’Connor
Didn't score from play for the second game in-a-row, but finished a match in which no quarter was given with 1-8 to his credit – seven frees, a 45 and a nerveless penalty when under enormous pressure. His reliable place-kicking kept the westerners in the game in the first half when, apart from Lee Keegan’s opener, he was their only scorer. Added two more points from placed balls in the second before Boyle was taken down and Mayo were awarded a penalty, which he buried to reduce the gap from four points to one and set up a thrilling finale. 8
