Mayo forced to wait as Dublin capture Sam
A magnificent 2-3 haul from Bernard Brogan was pivotal at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon (September 22nd), as Dublin secured their second All-Ireland in three seasons at the end of a tension-filled encounter with James Horan’s determined Mayo side.
In a game that ebbed and flowed throughout, Mayo held a slender 0-8 to 1-4 lead during the interval, but despite some wayward shooting at various points before the interval, a strong second period showing was enough to get Jim Gavin’s charges over the line in the Round Towers club man’s debut season as Metropolitan supremo.
The anticipation ahead of this showdown between the Leinster and Connacht Champions was enormous, as Mayo aimed to secure the Sam Maguire Cup for the first time since 1951. Having been blitzed by Donegal in the opening stages of last year’s decider, Mayo were determined to make a bright start to the proceedings in GAA HQ, and although Diarmuid Connolly cancelled out Andy Moran’s opener for the Green and Red, well-worked efforts by Lee Keegan, Keith Higgins and Cillian O’Connor (free) helped Mayo to build up a deserved three-point advantage (0-4 to 1-1) by the 13th minute.
Dublin had struggled to settle into the contest early on, but they burst into life moments later when Brogan rose above direct marker Ger Cafferkey, as well as the Westerners’ custodian Robert Hennelly, to flick Paul Flynn’s long delivery to the back of the opposition net.
It was hoped that this score would finally ease the pressure that had been weighing heavily on the shoulders of several Dublin players, but Mayo instead responded with three points in quick succession, two of which arrived courtesy of marauding half-back Lee Keegan.
The 2011 winners were wasting quite a bit of possession in front of the Mayo posts, but with their counterparts shooting a total of seven wides during the opening 35 minutes of play, they were able to keep in touch.
Ciaran Kilkenny and Michael Darragh MacAuley were both denied by Breaffy’s Hennelly, but although Moran registered his second point of the day on 26 minutes, much-needed points from Brogan, captain Stephen Cluxton (‘45’) and early substitute Eoghan O’Gara meant that they had cut their deficit to the bare minimum by the mid-way stage.
Having played well below their capabilities, Dublin were somewhat fortunate to be this close to the impressive Mayo, but a powerful start upon the resumption (when Cian O’Sullivan, O’Gara, Paddy Andrews, Paul Flynn and Brogan all found the range) suddenly brought them into a three-point ascendancy.
A clinical goal by Mayo’s talismanic Andy Moran off his right peg on the stroke of 50 minutes restored parity at a crucial juncture, but like all true champions, Dublin replied in emphatic fashion. Just moments after being introduced instead of injured corner-back Johnny Cooper, Denis Bastick’s telling pass paved the way for the lethal Brogan to palm calmly past the helpless Hennelly for his second major of the afternoon.
Heading into the final quarter, it seemed like this was going to be the pivotal score of the game, but Horan’s outfit deserve immense credit, as they never allowed their challenge to fade away. The deadly accurate O’Connor (whose shoulder problems arising from their semi-final triumph over Tyrone made him a doubt in the build-up) converted a trio of massive frees between the 56th and 66th minutes, and they were badly needed, as Brogan, centre-back Ger Brennan, and Cluxton were all on target for the Blues.
The Parnell’s netminder’s 69th minute place-kick had all the hallmarks of an insurance point, but Mayo pressed with a lot of intent during the four minutes of stoppage time that was signalled by referee Joe McQuillan.
However, the Dublin rearguard were more than happy to halt Mayo’s various attacks with a succession of fouls, and though O’Connor added another brace of points from dead-ball situations, the Cluxton-led Sky Blues were able to hold out for their 24th title.
Although, the 82, 274 spectators in attendance were treated to a scrappier affair that was expected, it was still an enthralling occasion from start and finish, and though the Mayo faithful will be disappointed at once more coming up short, they have reason to proud of the effort that the squad have produced throughout the 2013 campaign.
DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton (0-2, 1f, 1 ‘45’); Philip McMahon, Rory O’Carroll, Johnny Cooper; James McCarthy, Ger Brennan (0-1), Jack McCaffrey; Michael Darragh MacAuley, Cian O’Sullivan (0-1), Paul Flynn (0-1), Ciaran Kilkenny, Diarmuid Connolly (0-1); Paul Mannion, Paddy Andrews (0-1), Bernard Brogan (2-3, 0-1f).
Subs: Eoghan O’Gara (0-2) for Mannion (16), Darren Daly for McCaffrey (half-time), Dean Rock for Kilkenny (42), Kevin McManamon for Andrews (49), Denis Bastick for Cooper (53).
MAYO: Robert Hennelly; Tom Cunniffe, Ger Cafferkey, Chris Barrett; Lee Keegan (0-2), Donal Vaughan, Colm Boyle; Aidan O’Shea, Seamus O’Shea (0-1); Kevin McLoughlin, Keith Higgins (0-1), Alan Dillon; Cillian O’Connor (0-8, 8f), Alan Freeman, Andy Moran (1-2).
Subs: Michael Conroy for Freeman (27), Cathal Carolan for Cunniffe (half-time), Enda Varley for Dillon (56), Barry Moran for S O’Shea (60), Jason Doherty for A Moran (68).
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).