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By Conor Martin
2020 at a glance
Dublin 2-14 (20) – 0-15 (15) Mayo
2020 was a year everyone would rather forget, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, out of the darkness, Dublin brought those of a sky blue persuasion some much needed cheer, as we secured Sam Maguire for an unprecedented sixth time in-a-row with a five-point win over Mayo.
The structure of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was altered in 2020 due to the impact of Coronavirus on the GAA world, which saw the competition work in a knock-out format. And after the delay to the start of the Championship because of the pandemic, it proved to be well worth the wait.
The Dubs laid down a marker from the word go with dominant displays in Leinster seeing Dessie Farrell's men claim wins over Westmeath and Laois before beating Meath in the provincial final.
Mayo were impressive also, beating Leitrim, Roscommon and Galway on the way to the Connacht crown.
Dublin were ruthless in the semi-final as they swept aside Ulster champions Cavan in the semi-final by 15 points. Mayo won their semi-final in convincing style too, as they put five goals past Tipperary to book their place in the final comfortably.
The final itself was the first All-Ireland final since 1917 to be held in December. It was also the first time the Taoiseach and President of Ireland were both absent from an All-Ireland football final.
Of course, the glaring omission from that final was the fans and a packed out Croke Park. Hill 16, normally so raucous on All-Ireland final day, was a shadow of itself and the roar from the crowd was replaced by an eerie silence. Covid restrictions and the virus itself were the reasons behind a very different final atmosphere.
Dean Rock made history when he scored the fastest goal in All-Ireland final history, finishing off a well-worked move after just 13 seconds.
The goal sprung Mayo into life and just like the 2016 and 2017 finals, this one engrossed those watching at home. Oisín Mullin and Cillian O’Connor were key to Mayo’s first-half performance as they helped Mayo draw level.
In the 23rd minute, Niall Scully played in Con O’Callaghan who goaled against Mayo in the final for the second time, after previously raising a green flag in the 2017 finale. Dublin then found some momentum and scores from John Small and Ciarán Kilkenny saw Dublin lead by two at the break.
Robbie McDaid was black-carded at the end of the first-half, which meant Dublin played the first 10 minutes of the second set of 35 minutes with 14 men. Mayo took full advantage of the extra man and it looked for a period Mayo were going to come from behind and snatch glory from under Dublin’s nose.
However, as time ticked on, Dublin regained composure and points from Rock and substitutes Brian Howard and Paul Mannion put us back in control. The win- Dessie Farrell’s first All-Ireland title as manager and a sixth All-Ireland title in succession- were wrapped up by a fine Kilkenny point.
Despite the impressive and historic feat, the celebrations, given the circumstances, were muted in comparison to All-Ireland final victories of the past.
Dublin fans might have been celebrating in their front rooms rather than on the Hill, but thanks to Farrell’s men, they finally had something to smile about in 2020!
Scorers for Dublin: Dean Rock 1-4 (4fs), Con O’Callaghan 1-1, Ciarán Kilkenny 0-3, Brian Fenton, Niall Scully, Brian Howard, John Small, Sean Bugler, and Paul Mannion (f) 0-1 each
Scorers for Mayo: Cillian O’Connor 0-9 (5fs, 2ms), Ryan O’Donoghue 0-2, Oisín Mullin, Conor Loftus, Darren Coen, and Stephen Coen (m) 0-1 each
DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Michael Fitzsimons, David Byrne, Eoin Murchan; Jonny Cooper, John Small, Robbie McDaid; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy; Niall Scully, Con O’Callaghan, Sean Bugler; Paddy Small, Dean Rock, Ciarán Kilkenny
Subs: Brian Howard for Bugler (HT), Paul Mannion for P Small (51), Colm Basquel for Cooper (54), Cormac Costello for Scully (70), Philly McMahon for Murchan (70+5)
MAYO: David Clarke; Paddy Durcan, Chris Barrett, Lee Keegan; Stephen Coen, Oisín Mullin, Eoghan McLaughlin; Conor Loftus, Mattie Ruane; Kevin McLoughlin, Ryan O’Donoghue, Diarmuid O’Connor; Tommy Conroy, Aidan O’Shea, Cillian O’Connor.
Subs: Michael Plunkett for P Durcan (HT), James Carr for Conroy (49), Darren Coen for O’Donoghue (58), Jordan Flynn for Loftus (62), James Durcan for McLaughlin (70+1)
REFEREE: David Coldrick (Meath)
