MAC'S VIEW: Dublin were better side and deserved All-Ireland win over Kerry

First of all this week, congratulations to Dublin on winning their ninth All-Ireland in 13 years - a remarkable  achievement for a very well motivated group of footballers. Being able to compete at the top for so long says so much about the group.

They must be regarded now as the best group ever to play the game. Kerry were dominant in the 1970s and 1980s with a number of their team winning eight All-Ireland medals.

But with this Dublin team, you now have three players with nine All-Ireland medals, a record that will take some beating. Indeed, you cannot rule out either that one of the trio of Stephen Cluxton, Michael Fitzsimons or James McCarthy making it to 10 medals, although it did seem that McCarthy was leaning towards retirement when speaking afterwards.

The Dublin  captain didn’t have his best game in the final and indeed maybe was lucky not to have got a couple of yellow cards.

The other two, Cluxton and Fitzsimons, were excellent and played a huge part in the win and could go on to play for another few years. Stephen Cluxton is just amazing, not wanting to be part of razzmatazz, but going up and kicking two points as well as getting every one of his kick-outs away.

Fitzsimons was given the short straw to mark David Clifford and he did as well as any player could have done. Clifford did get away a couple of times, but by the Kerry captain’s high standards, he had a bad day at the office with a number of uncharacteristic wides.

Looking at the comparison between the Kerry team and the Pat Spillanes, Denis Ogie Morans, Mikey Sheehys, Ger Powers, who won eight medals, they had only to play maybe two competitive games to win the All-Ireland. It is much tougher nowadays which goes to show just how massive the achievement of winning nine medals is for the three Dublin players.

But overall, the game was very enjoyable, especially in the second half. Dublin were the better side and dominated the opening half, but then conceded a goal just before half-time which left them a point down, a position that flattered Dublin at the break.

Kerry did get a lead of three points on two occasions in the second half but they were unable to close out the game. 

There is a strength of character in this Dublin side which made all the difference. They know how to win games, especially tight games, and that is why they are the champions that they are.

There was a great crowd present again but like the hurling final, the absence of the minors playing beforehand is just a disgrace. The Galway Jubilee team from 1988 were introduced to a half-empty stadium around an hour before the main event. The Croke Park authorities are going to have to have a look at the whole match-day presentation.

There is also the question of the whole All-Ireland season being over before the beginning of August, it just doesn’t make sense.

When you think also about the club scene here in Donegal with clubs having no action for six weeks before championship, something is just not right about the way the GAA is being organised at the moment.

The Donegal ball is firmly in Jim McGuinness’ court - PJ McGowan

“I had been on the executive in previous times when Jim had applied and didn’t always agree when he was overlooked. But on that occasion I was the chairman and it was myself and Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh who was the ultimately appointed him"

COUNTY MANAGER

We have heard little over the last few weeks in the position regarding the appointment of a Donegal senior team manager. I know that the reaction to Anthony Molloy and Martin McHugh being part of the interview panel has been very positive. I’m sure they are holding meetings behind the scenes and I want to wish them well.

As I have said before, it is vitally important that we have a senior team manager in place before the start of the club championship.  That is where any young player can show their wares and whether they are up to being part of the county senior set up.

The club championship is set to start on a Friday night with Glenfin and St Michael’s getting the ball rolling on August 18th. There are games also on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th in the opening round of fixtures. I’m really looking forward to that.

GOOD LUCK TO MINORS

This Saturday is a big day for the Donegal Minor Ladies as they travel to Kinnegad in Westmeath to take on Waterford in the final. I’m told that this is a very talented squad with many players with a strong GAA pedigree, not least Ulitah Boyle, daughter of Donegal’s All-Star and All-Ireland winning full-forward, Tony. But I suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

They had a big win over Leitrim in the semi-final and by all accounts that was a bit of a mis-match. However, good luck to them on Saturday and hopefully, they will take home an All-Ireland, which is always good for the county’s morale.

And they could also be the backbone for the Donegal senior team of the future.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell