Our Senior Footballers Claim the All-Ireland title after victory over Kerry

DUBLIN 1-15

KERRY 1-13

Dublin delivered a calm and composed performance as they dethroned Kerry by two points in their absorbing All Ireland Senior Football Championship final at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

In doing so, the Dubs claimed their first Sam Maguire in three years and 31st in total, closing the gap on the Kingdom to seven in the process.

The Dubs were the more controlled side throughout and while they fell behind by three points on a couple of occasions in the second-half, they never panicked and chipped away at their deficit with customary focus.

Ultimately, the contest was decided in injury time with points from Paul Mannion and a Dean Rock free sealing a narrow but deserved success.

There was a suitably cagey start to proceedings with space up front at a premium as Dublin opened the scoring through a Stephen Cluxton '45' in the 4th minute.

David Clifford levelled matters for the holders two minutes later, an isolated moment of success for the Kerry captain in the first-half, given the display of his man-marker Michael Fitzsimons.

Dublin enjoyed the greater level of control without looking especially threatening but they managed to add to their tally as the half progressed thanks to eye-catching points from play by Paul Mannion and Brian Fenton.

A brace of Sean O'Shea frees ensured Kerry remained in touch with a free from Cormac Costello at the opposite end in the 16th minute edging Dublin 0-4 to 0-3 ahead by the end of the opening quarter.

The obvious respect that both teams had for each other ensured neither side a sizeable advantage but Mannion's second point of the half in the 24th minute saw the Dubs double their lead.

O'Shea responded with a cracking point of his own but Dublin looked to be entering the break with a two-point buffer as Cluxton calmly slotted over a free in injury time only for there to be one final sting in the half's tail.

There appeared little trouble as Clifford received possession close to the end line but his smart pass afforded Paul Geaney the time to crash low to the net from eight yards.

A Brian Howard point within two minutes of the restart restored parity once again but Kerry's threat on the counter-attack yielded points by David Clifford, Paudie Clifford and Graney.

Con O'Callaghan had struck the crossbar during this trip of points but lady luck smiled on Dublin in the 46th minute as Paddy Small's right-foot shot deflected high past Shane Ryan in the Kerry goal.

Unperturbed, Kerry hit back with the next three points with Paudie Clifford scoring two of those but Dublin's response was even more impressive as they reeled off four points on the bounce through Mannion (free), Colm Basquel, Mannion and the increasingly influential Fenton.

Killian Spillane and Small exchanged points soon after and while a soft free was converted by David Clifford entering added time, Dublin were not to be denied as they patiently worked two scoring opportunities that settled the tie in their favour.

Scorers- Dublin: P Mannion 0-5 (1f), P Small 1-1, B Fenton, S Cluxton (1f, 1'45'), C Basquel 0-2 each, B Howard, C Costello (f), D Rock (f) 0-1 each. Kerry: S O'Shea 0-5 (3f), P Geaney 1-1, D Clifford (1f), P Clifford 0-3 each, K Spillane 0-1.

Dublin: S Cluxton; E Murchan, M Fitzsimons, D Byrne; B Howard, J Small, L Gannon; B Fenton, J McCarthy; P Small, C O'Callaghan, C Kilkenny; P Mannion, C Costello, C Basquel. Subs: J McCaffrey for Gannon (49), N Scully for Costello (54), S McMahon for Howard (63), C Murphy for Murchan (65), D Rock for P Small (69).

Kerry: S Ryan; P Murphy, J Foley, T O’Sullivan; G O’Sullivan, T Morley, G White; D O’Connor, J Barry; D Moynihan, S O’Shea, S O’Brien; P Clifford, D Clifford, P Geaney.

Subs: B Ó Beaglaoich for Murphy (55), A Spillane for Moynihan (58), M Burns for O’Brien, M Breen for Barry (both 56), K Spillane for Geaney (64).

Referee: David Gough (Meath).