Dublin’s extraordinary success over the last nine years will never be matched by another county.
They are the greatest squad of all time.
People who mightn’t fully understand football – even supporters, club players and genuine Gaels –perhaps don’t comprehend the achievement that’s taken place.
We’re all guilty of rolling it off our tongues – five-in-a-row. But to play in one All-Ireland is brilliant. To play in two, three or four of them is remarkable. To win five in a row? The mind boggles.
The work those lads have put in as amateur sportsmen is incredible. I played in four finals – winning two and losing two – over five years. We had a good squad and it still took a huge effort.
Credit where credit is due, you can’t talk about finance or funding with these guys. It’s down to the blood, sweat and tears spilt over many years.
Yes, the platform is there for each and every one of them to blossom, stress free, and to become the best they can be. There’s no hindrance from outside forces pulling against them like many other county teams experience.
But when I look at the performances of Stephen Cluxton, Jack McCaffrey, Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, I just see extraordinary leaders.
As I said in Saturday’s preview, the game would be won up front, and that’s where the real difference is between Kerry and Dublin.
Ciaran Kilkenny, Paul Mannion and the sensational Con O’Callaghan ripped Kerry apart, scoring 12 points from play between them.
The difference between that and Kerry’s execution was striking. The underdogs never gave up but it was the worst ever second-half
display from a Kerry team in an All-Ireland final.
Kerry’s forwards are good but need to learn how to score goals in big games. None of their starting forwards managed one over two games.
Also, the Kerry defence is not nearly good enough to win an
All-Ireland. Two, maybe three players need to be found.
There are foundations to build on but it’s Dublin’s time right now. Special mention to Jim Gavin. How he and his staff conducted themselves at the weekend was exemplary, one of the best stories in Irish sport.
Nowhere is there a guy who hogs the limelight, it’s all about the team. They’re unassuming, down to earth and yes, ruthless, but above all honest and humble. All traits handed down to the team, the greatest and most skilful bunch of all time.
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