McShea’s Say: Dublin sussed Kerry out and are deserving All-Ireland champions

Walking down Jones’s Road on All-Ireland Sunday is precisely what every spectator wishes for at the start of the championship season.

Playing in Croke Park remains the dream of every player. On Sunday against the skyline of Dublin, Croke Park stood majestic.

The wonderful stadium was once described as a symbol of the Celtic Tiger, but it is not just that. It is a monument to voluntarism and to many people committing to a common cause.

The Croke Park project was conceived back in the 1980s when Ireland was in the depths of recession and is a special home for Gaelic games.

It heaves on big match days as it did on Sunday, but not like other stadiums. The noise is very different, warm, and loud. With 82,000 spectators at the Dublin, Kerry final it was special to observe the atmosphere and behaviour of such a crowd.

Every one of those who was fortunate enough to get their hands on a ticket mirrored the performance of the players on the pitch with their sportsmanship and impeccable behaviour.

That is no surprise as every year with a capacity attendance there is much banter and good humour. Before the throw in on Sunday, I reflected on the relevance of tradition in the GAA.

Those who are born into a winning tradition can see that such tradition is a reason to acquire further success or alternatively on occasions be suffocated by its pressures.

Kerry and Dublin played a major role in what was termed the Golden Age of Gaelic football and are correctly considered the two best teams ever to play the game.

Kerry under Mick O’Dwyer were an exceptional outfit while today’s Dublin team could possibly have won nine All Irelands in a row if Stephen Cluxton and Jack Mc Caffery had stayed on board.

How success is attained is also measured against the past. But that notion that a golden age once flourished, ignores the reality that styles of play have continuously evolved in pursuit of victory, and in the past club and county teams did not slavishly adhere to any one style.

While the rule changes and the search for tactical innovation have changed the style of play, the player with courage, skill and intelligence will still prevail in the modern game.

Matches are not simply contests between teams but also between individuals trying to outdo each other.

In previewing last week’s game, many pundits suggested that the clash between Kerry’s brilliant captain David Clifford and Dublin full back Michael Fitzsimmons would be crucial to the outcome.

The Dublin doctor had a magnificent game and in winning his duel with Clifford it went a long way to see his side once again get their hands on Sam.

The one statistic that confirmed my belief that Dublin would win this final was the fact that in seven championship games before this final, Kerry’s substitutes scored a total of just five points, while in eight games the Dublin subs scored a total of three goals and 17 points.

The belief that Dublin had the stronger bench was confirmed by Jack McCaffrey’s introduction and his pace and energy saw him make a significant contribution in the vital closing stages, while Dean Rock was coolness personified in kicking his team’s insurance point.

There was much speculation about the ‘man-of-the-match award and while Paul Mannion played the proverbial “blinder” my choice was Stephen Cluxton. His uncanny ability to find a teammate with every goal kick coupled with his two first half frees was football of the highest standard from the best goalkeeper ever to play the game.

No doubt the Kerry management were aware of Cluxton’s unique ability with the dead ball but were unable to counteract it even once over the 76 minutes.

Referee David Gough also had a good match, and after awarding a close in fee to Kerry late in the game he showed much courage in consulting with his umpire before changing his decision and throwing up the ball.

What’s going on?

At the final I met quite a few fellow Donegal fans, many Dublin based and others living in different parts of the country. The one thing they all wanted to discuss was the appointment of our new manager.

It was encouraging to see the level of interest that is out there regarding Donegal football, and we do have followers who are among the most loyal and dedicated in the country. It would be special to again meet them in Croke Park next year if the other team wearing green and gold were playing!