Flashback: Dublin vs. Mayo 2017 All-Ireland Final

By Conor Martin

Dublin and Mayo meet once again in the Championship this weekend to add to the long list of Dublin v Mayo encounters. Dublin fans in recent years have been lucky enough to say they’ve been able to celebrate at full-time more than our western counterparts.

Nothing sums that up more than probably the 2017 All-Ireland final - a game contest and a battle that will forever live in folklore in the history of this fixture and of course, a day Dublin fans will never forget.

In a replay of the 2016 final, it was almost too close to call, and both counties would need a fast start to the finale of Gaelic football’s most prestigious game.

Con O’Callaghan gave Dublin the perfect start when he scored with just over a minute on the clock.

Mayo weren’t rattled by conceding a goal early and came back at Dublin in style, with the likes of Andy Moran and Cillian O’Connor doing the business in front of the posts, roared on the ever-loyal Mayo support.

Dean Rock kept Dublin in it as Mayo motored along during the first-half, Mayo were dominating in midfield whilst the Dubs struggled with their kick-outs.

Mayo held a slim one-point lead at the interval, which was wiped out thanks to Paul Mannion almost instantaneously after the restart.

Kevin McManamon came on from the bench and immediately made him useful as he put Dublin into the lead.

The match would then turn in Dublin’s favour after two huge moments. First, Stephen Cluxton denied Jason Doherty when it looked like a Mayo goal was a certainty.

Just after 45 minutes, John Small received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow for his tackle on Colm Boyle. Mayo had the advantage of an extra man. Well, they did for a few moments, at least until Donal Vaughan had a rush of blood to the head and struck Small, he was sent for an early bath.

Brian Fenton had steadied the Dublin ship and we found ourselves two ahead before Lee Keegan had put Mayo ahead with a glorious finish.

Diarmuid Connolly, Kevin McLoughlin and Rock were continuing to send the ball over the bar at either end.

Mannion reduced the Dublin deficit to just a point with just over five minutes left before James McCarthy levelled for Dublin as heart rates went into overdrive at Croke Park.

Rock and O’Connor traded points and things were still all tied up at HQ, which set up the dramatic, frantic finish perfectly.

Just as six minutes of additional time was indicated, Mayo had a free from a tight yet kickable angle. O’Connor stepped up and saw his free ping of the woodwork of the Dublin goals, much to the disbelief of everyone at Croke Park.

Deep into injury-time Connolly was brought down by Chris Barrett whilst advancing deep into Mayo territory.

40 metres out, as cool as you like, Rock stepped up and sent his free sailing over the bar to claim the Sam Maguire Cup as Dublin completed an impressive three in a row and gave Dublin fans a day that will live with them forever.

Scorers for Dublin: Dean Rock 0-7, 3f; Con O’Callaghan 1-00, Paul Mannion 0-03; James McCarthy 0-02; John Small, Eoghan O’Gara, Kevin McManamon, Brian Fenton, Diarmuid Connolly 0-01 each

Scorers for Mayo: Cillian O’Connor 0-07, 4f; Andy Moran 0-03; Lee Keegan 1-00; Jason Doherty, Kevin McLoughlin 0-02 each; Donal Vaughan, Colm Boyle 0-01

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Jonny Cooper, Philip McMahon, Michael Fitzsimons; John Small, Cian O’Sullivan, Jack McCaffrey; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy; Ciaran Kilkenny, Dean Rock, Con O’Callaghan; Paddy Andrews, Eoghan O’Gara, Paul Mannion

Subs: Paul Flynn for McCaffrey 8 mins; Diarmuid Connolly for Andrews HT; Kevin McManamon for O’Gara HT; Bernard Brogan for Paul Flynn 64 mins; Niall Scully for O’Callaghan 68 mins; Cormac Costello for Mannion 73 mins

Mayo: David Clarke, Chris Barrett, Brendan Harrison, Paddy Durcan; Lee Keegan, Keith Higgins, Colm Boyle; Seamus O’Shea, Tom Parsons; Kevin McLoughlin, Aidan O’Shea, Donal Vaughan; Jason Doherty, Cillian O’Connor Andy Moran

Subs: Diarmuid O’Connor for Seamus O’Shea 50 mins; Stephen Coen for Boyle 55 mins; Conor Loftus for Andy Moran 62 mins; David Drake for Doherty 69 mins Danny Kirby for McLoughlin 74 mins; Ger Cafferkey for Higgins 74 mins

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)