THE Sam Maguire will reside in the capital for the 25th time as Dublin defeated Kerry on a scoreline of 0-12 to 0-9 in Suday’s All-Ireland SFC final.
Dublin emerged victorious from a match blighted with unforced errors and wides, but Jim Gavin’s men coped better with the atrocious weather conditions and were the better side thoughout, barring a Kerry mini-comeback after half-time.
Early points from Dean Rock, who was substituted at the interval by Kevin McManamon and Brian Fenton gave the Dubs an early lead, but it was their defence that was at the heart of Dublin’s latest success, their third All-Ireland in five years.
Colm Cooper was held scoreless and Johnny Cooper had an excellent game on James O’Donoghue - despite conceding three points to the 2014 Footballer of the Year.
Kerry recovered to leave matters level at 0-4 apiece with 25 minutes gone, but the Kingdom failed to score in the last 10 minutes of the first half, while Bernard Brogan, Paddy Andrews and Jack McCaffrey all got on the scoreboard for Dublin to leave it 0-8 to 0-4 at the break.
Both sides emptied their benches in the second half, with Kerry speedster Darran O’Sullivan grabbing two points after his introduction to bring it back to a two point game at 0-10 to 0-8.
At the other end, Brian Fenton went for glory 11 minutes into the second half when a point seemed the wiser option, and his effort crashed off the left post. However, two points from Paul Flynn kept Kerry at arm’s length and when Dublin sub Alan Brogan scored on the counter with five minutes remaining, it all but ended the Kerry challenge.
Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s men can have some complaints that they didn’t receive a penalty after Kieran Donaghy was challenged in the square by Rory O’Carroll, but for once the Kingdom failed to show up on All-Ireland day and Dublin are deserving champions.
