Final Thoughts

One thing the GAA is never short on is opinions. There have been many expressed this week.  Mayo will want to hear none of them. Dublin probably can’t get enough.

The Bench

Dublin bench is formidable. In the first game it was Paddy Andrews. This time Cormac Costello. When a team can afford to leave players of the calibre of Bernard Brogan and Michael Darragh McAuley on the bench it tells you something. In fact the Dublin bench alone if added to another county would probably turn them into All Ireland contenders. It says a lot about the Dublin GAA panel and Jim Gavin's leadership that he can maintain such an obvious sense of team with so many quality players to keep satisfied. And it's not just the substitutions. To have a panel of players of similar quality is the envy of everyone. We've hardly seen Cormac Costello all summer, and he comes in and does that! 

Mayo Hearts Broken. Again.

It was heart-rending stuff to watch Cillian O'Connor pull his free wide at the near post at the death. As the cliché goes O'Connor owes Mayo nothing, if it weren't for his leadership and nerves of steel Mayo GAA would not have had a replay. But your heart goes out to a man who often has pulled victory out of the fire on numerous occasions. In the seventies and eighties, Cork GAA were perhaps often the second best team in Ireland and could easily have won several All Irelands. But for Kerry GAA. For Cork read Mayo. But for Dublin. Surely the most optimistic people in the country the general view coming from the West is that its awake and that they will be back.

Who Would Be a Goalkeeper?

Twas a surprise surely to see Rob Hennelly march along behind the Artane Boys band. Evidently the decision to change keepers was based on the Mayo kick out strategy. And it shows how important the restart has become in modern Gaelic football, when the decision is made to change keeper based on his kicking out prowess. Having been brought in Hennelly was understandably distraught to give away the penalty and receive his black card. His social media posting was deeply painful to read this week. Many will be quick to point the finger of blame, but it should be remembered, as has been told to many young keepers, an outfield player will get away with a dropped ball. A keeper won't. If a branch breaks in a forest does anyone hear it? Yet an amateur goalkeeper drops one ball and comes under fierce criticism. Anyone with discernment will know that in life and sport mistakes are an everyday occurrence. On another day it may go another way. And there will always be another day. We wish Rob Hennelly all the best.

Black Is the Colour

There is no doubt the loss of Lee Keegan and Hennelly had an influence on the game. But then all summer the black has been a talking point, consistent application, frequent use, infrequent use. It is a controversial rule that causes many talking points. Too many for some. To ask a player to come off the bench and face a penalty is a big big ask for any player mentally. That is what David Clarke faced. Keegan's duel with Connolly was the blue touch paper for this game and it was a contest we wanted to see continue to the death. Not so. In Gaelic football these contests are personal, visceral, a microcosm of the main game. Various incidents in both games were dissected and deliberated upon. Who would be a referee? The fact is that the black card is imperfect in a sport where there needs to be more consistency and certainty. Especially given the commitment of county players. 

What Next?

Dublin face into a winter of celebrations, and deservedly so, as one of, if not the greatest group of players to have donned the famous blue O’Neills jersey. When the dust begins to settle, as it will, their focus will switch to retaining their title and the elusive possibility of three in a row. Who would bet against that? And what county team is in a position to challenge the Dublin dominance? Tyrone GAA? Kerry? Well the obvious contender is. . . Mayo. No other team has come closer or proved themselves more able. Four championship matches in two seasons, two draws, two replays at the semi final and final stages. They have no alternative. They must go on.

Thanks to both teams for two great finals.