Dublin 0-18
Tyrone 0-17
FOR THE FIRST time since Jim Gavin helped them do it as a player in 1993, Dublin today won the National Football League title after a pulsating final encounter with Tyrone.
In a game where the sides were level nine times, it could only ever have been decided by a single kick and Tyrone will leave Croke Park this evening confident that they will have reason to return in the warmer months.
Dublin, as they so often do at headquarters, opened up a substantial lead in the opening minutes. Diarmuid Connolly adding two points to Bernard Brogan’s early frees to make the score 0-4 to 0-1 after 11 minutes.
Conor McAliskey, Mattie Donnelly and goalkeeper Niall Morgan ensured the deficit was erased within seven minutes, but Dublin hit another rich vein. A three point lead reappearing within two minutes thanks to Bryan Cullen, Brogan and Connolly.
That would be the last time the red hand county allowed Dublin get away from them. Sean Cavanagh’s influence on the game began to grow with a volleyed attempt at goal flashing just over the bar. After Martin Penrose tapped over a free Cavanagh did likewise after winning a free in front of the Hill.
Gavin’s side continued to impress at the other end. Morgan producing a save from Jason Whelan’s powerful strike before Mannion pointed the rebound to keep the home side two points clear.
By half time, however, Tyrone had clawed their way back again with McAliskey making the half time score 0-10 to 0-10 with a glorious effort from distance.
The second half was a tale of trading scores as the pressure began to mount after a free-flowing opening period. Point was met by point, free by free. Morgan and Brogan trading placed kicks and Mannion showing off his sidestep to point from play on 47 minutes.
Monster
On a quiet day for Brogan, his last act would be an uncharacteristic miss from a central free-kick. After Mark Donnelly put Tyrone ahead with a fisted score after a fine move and Philly McMahon (on for Michael Darragh MacAuley) squared it up a monstrous effort, Brogan was replaced by Dean Rock with 10 minutes to go and the score 14 apiece.
That change seemed to be the catalyst needed to push Dublin out of the blow-for-blow rhythm.
Stephen Cluxton got in on the act, cancelling out another free from his opposite number, Morgan, But with Dublin trailing again minutes later, Rock delivered two quick-fire scores to ignite Hill 16 like his father has done so often.
Rock’s double left Dublin with a 0-17 to 0-16 lead entering the final minute and Tyrone could manage only a Cavanagh point in response to Jack McCaffrey’s 70th minute score and Gavin’s rejuvenated side held on to bridge a 20-year wait for the Division One League crown.
Scorers for Dublin: Bernard Brogan 0-5 (0-5f), Paul Mannion 0-4 (0-1f), Diarmuid Connolly, Dean Rock 0-2 each, Stephen Cluxton (0-1f), Jack McCaffrey, Philly McMahon, Bryan Cullen, Paddy Andrews 0-1 each.Scorers for Tyrone: Niall Morgan 0-5 (0-5f), Sean Cavanagh 0-4 (0-1f), Conor McAliskey 0-3, Martin Penrose 0-2 (0-1f), Conor Gormley, Mattie Donnelly, Mark Donnelly 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton (Parnell’s); Kevin O’Brien (Naomh Mearnóg), Johnny Cooper (Na Fianna), Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens); James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams), Ger Brennan (St Vincent’s), Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf); Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes); Jason Whelan (Ballymun Kickhams), Diarmuid Connolly (St Vincent’s), Bryan Cullen (St Vincent’s); Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes), Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s), Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s-Eoghan Ruadh).
Subs: Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnóg) for Whelan (half-time), Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge Street) for O’Sullivan (45), Kevin McManamon (St Judes) for Cullen (45), Philly McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams) for MacAuley (52), Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams) for Brogan (60).
TYRONE: Niall Morgan (Edendork); Cathal McCarron (Dromore), Dermot Carlin (Killyclogher), PJ Quinn (Moortown); Conor Gormley (Carrickmore), Conor Clarke (Omagh), Matthew Donnelly (Trillick); Colm Cavanagh (Moy), Joe McMahon (Omagh); Mark Donnelly (Carrickmore), Sean Cavanagh (Moy), Justin McMahon (Omagh); Martin Penrose (Carrickmore), Conor McAliskey (Clonoe), Patrick McNeice (Coalisland).
Subs: Aidan Cassidy (Augher) for Carlin (31), Plunkett Kane (Coalisland) for Justin McMahon (half-time), Kyle Coney (Ardboe) for McNeice (60), Ryan McKenna (Eglish) for Gormley (inj) (66), Darren McCurry for Cassidy (70).
Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo)
