Dublin’s ‘drive for five’ probably only runs into temporary delay

A Gaelic football championship season which was marred by defensive-orientated systems; poor quality; one-sided matches; and a high level of predictability; was rescued in spectacular fashion by the sport’s two most successful teams in a magnificent All-Ireland final at Croke Park on Sunday.

And the upshot of it all is that the ‘five-in-a-row’ in either GAA codes remains elusive – at least, for another 10 days. Kerry (twice) and Wexford footballers, and Cork and Kilkenny hurlers all found it beyond them to rewrite the history books, but the Dubs still have the opportunity to stand apart on Saturday week.

They were put to the pin of their collar to survive a fierce Kerry onslaught, but Jim Gavin’s charges hung in there – no mean achievement given that they had to operate with 14 players for over half of the match after defender Jonny Copper’s dismissal on a second yellow card.

This was a final of brutal intensity with the conditioning of rival players tested to the limit. There were no hiding places in a final full of drama and incident. 5/1 outsiders Kerry, typically, rose to the occasion in a riveting struggle for supremacy with the champions and coming down the home stretch, they had positioned themselves for a shock win.

Ultimately, it was Kerry who were hanging on at the finish as they retreated into a defensive shell in the face of Dublin’s renewed late efforts. It was manic but, at the same time, captivating. The crowd were on their feet and the manner in which the title holders strained very sinew to force a replay helps to sum up why they have dominated Gaelic football this decade.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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