Jim Gavin salutes honest attitude of his panel

Jim Gavin applauded the group ethic of his panel following Saturday's titanic All-Ireland SFC final replay victory over Mayo.

The Dublin management made a few big calls with their team selection while the strength of the back-up bench got the Dubs over the line.

"Part of their culture and their value system is they are about the sum of the parts. Players are obviously disappointed that they don't play.

"But once it's explained to them that it's for the greater good … I thought the boys who started today did really well.

"Bernard (Brogan) coming in, Cormac (Costello) getting three from the bench, even Darren Daly deep into the game got probably a match-winning block.

"That epitomised to me the spirit and the character in this Dublin team; they showed that to me in the drawn game and they showed it to me today when Mayo threw everything and anything at them."

One of those introduced fresh from the start was the outstanding Mick Fitzsimons.

"He’s been playing that way all season. Just that David (Byrne) and Jonny (Cooper) and Philly McMahon were playing wellin that full-back line. We gave him his chance and he took it with both arms. When you see him in training, it’s no surprise."

While Cormac Costello's stunning three-point salvo sealed the deal for the Dubs.

"He’s playing well in training. Those three points that he got, I could give you lots of tape from training games and training in general that he kicks. That’s the form that he’s in.

"We had faith in him. We believed he would have an impact with his pace. He has been an outstanding player underage, had a little bit of a dip in form – but has come back strong now."