You could say it was karma for Dublin given how they lost it in the end.
After all, how often have we seen them snatch games like that over the years, starting with Stephen Cluxton’s free in the All-Ireland final back in 2011?
It’s come full circle now, with Kerry having finally got their first win over Dublin in the meantime. Just.
READ MORE: Monster Sean O'Shea free sees Kerry down Dublin in All-Ireland semi-final
In truth, Kerry should have been out of sight and not relying on one of the all-time great winning scores in Croke Park to save them in the finish. Sean O’Shea put himself up with Maurice Fitzgerald and the likes with an iconic kick that had another 10 or 15 metres on it, despite kicking it into the wind.
Dublin somehow managed to haul themselves back into a game in which it looked like they were going to be well beaten, led by the lionhearted James McCarthy.
He’ll always be remembered for how he has exuded those battling qualities in a Dublin jersey. He almost single-handedly put the fear of God into Kerry.
Coming down the home straight, you couldn’t have said that Kerry were cool, calm and collected. Anything but. They were frantic and it was surprising how unprepared they were for a last quarter like that.
Credit to Dublin for staying in it despite being second best all day but, clearly, they’re not the same team without Con O’Callaghan. The full-forward line just didn’t work out at all, Cormac Costello’s wondergoal notwithstanding.
There was a lack of movement up front, a problem Kerry certainly didn’t have with David Clifford. Dean Rock has essentially been reduced to a free-taker. It was a big call to start Lorcan O’Dell but it didn’t work out. The subs didn’t bring much to the party either.
Brian Fenton and Ciaran Kilkenny were man-marked out of the game for long periods too.
Some players will now be reflecting on their future. Rock will be one of them. Mick Fitzsimons too; he looked very dejected when coming off.
Jonny Cooper had an outstanding game but couldn’t finish it out.
As I said, McCarthy gave one of his greatest performances, full of raw defiance. I may be wrong, but it seemed like a heroic last stand to me.
Dessie Farrell’s three-year term is now up and the management will be considering whether to go for another year too.
As for the team’s future, whoever is in charge, it’s difficult to be overly optimistic and a plucky one-point defeat can’t mask some glaring issues.
I fear they could be overtaken by several counties in the next few years as the team needs regeneration and, from viewing the club scene, I don’t see the sort of emerging talent that is needed to keep Dublin competing strongly at the back end of the Championship year on year.
As for Kerry, despite the celebrations, they haven’t won an All-Ireland yet.
They were under huge pressure to beat Dublin yesterday and it really showed in their performance at times.
Galway certainly aren’t without hope in the final.
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