Sky Blues’ All-Ireland dominance comes to a close against Mayo
Dublin’s long-held reign as All-Ireland senior men’s football champions came to an end at a rain-drenched Croke Park this evening when Mayo came from behind to secure a 0-17 to 0-14 extra-time victory.
Sam Maguire Cup winners for the past six seasons, Dessie Farrell’s Sky Blues appeared in control during the early moments of this engrossing contest.
Leading 0-10 to 0-4 at the midway stage in normal time, the Metropolitans looked set to extend their unbeaten championship run to 46 games.
However, Mayo gradually clawed back the Dublin lead and ultimately forced themselves back on level terms deep into second half stoppage-time.
Although the title holders drew first blood in the additional periods with a fisted Sean Bugler point, this was to be their final score of the proceedings.
Mayo subsequently rattled off four unanswered scores to ultimately earn their first championship success over the Leinster kingpins since 2012.
A key figure throughout Dublin’s incredible run up to this point, Templeogue Synge Street’s Niall Scully started the game in his customary position of left half-forward. Additionally, Colm Basquel and Robbie McDaid (both Ballyboden St Enda’s) and Tom Lahiff (St Jude’s) also made appearances off the bench.
Lahiff and Basquel were both black carded in extra-time, with the latter’s temporary dismissal arguably serving as the catalyst for Mayo to claim a spot in the forthcoming All-Ireland decider.
With Ciaran Kilkenny and Dean Rock featuring prominently, Dublin led 0-6 to 0-2 at the first half water break.
Their cushion stretched to seven points on a couple of occasions in the second-quarter and it was expected that Dublin might push on further after the resumption.
Yet three points without reply over an extended spell moved Mayo back into contention and Dublin never quite reclaimed control of the game.
Paddy Small and Rock (two) scores did keep the Blues in the ascendancy, but Ryan O’Donoghue and goalkeeper Rob Hennelly ensured Mayo restored parity in the nick of time.
After finally moving in front with a Tommy Conroy point on 76 minutes, the green and red never looked back and can now look forward to their fifth All-Ireland final in just 10 years.
