NFL - Mayo 1-08 Dublin 1-09

18 years on and the victory was as sweet as ever, the 1st in Mayo since 1992.

The Dubs had an injury blow before the throwin with Paul Griffin out & replaced by Vincent’s Hugh Gill. (Gill would go on to impress). Mayo played in the wind in the 1st half on a shocking pitch which did no credit to the fine spectator facilities in Castlebar. The pattern of the game was established early on as Mayo had plenty of possession but were unable to convert. Some terrible free taking from a clatter of Mayo players left the game open and the much more clinical Dubs took advantage. The Blues continued their recent approach in pulling many of the half forward line back harrying & putting enormous pressure on Mayo forwards who were equally unsuccessful from open play. Well into injury time & two points up the Dubs again refused to kick the ball to touch & when Mayo turned the ball over the inevitable score resulted leaving the visitors ahead 0-05 to 0-04.

A tight exchange at the start of the 2nd half ensued and when Enda Varley goaled for the Mayo men it looked bad for the Blues. Pat Gilroy mad a number of changes and the experience of substitutes Bernard Brogan & Conal Keaney made the difference. A long pass was won brilliantly by the Ballyboden man who shrugged off the challenge and fed Bernard who blasted to the net. Some further points left the Dubs 2 up and nerves jangled when Mayo received a free in close. With as many Dubs as possible across the line a goal looked unlikely but the Mayo free was blasted high & thankfully pushed off the crossbar & over to see the Dubs home by 1 point.
Much credit to the Dublin defence throughout who put their bodies on the line throughout. Ballymun’s Philly McMahon was superb throughout ably assisted by Hugh Gill, Michael Fitzsimons & Kevin Nolan.

Three wins out of three for Dublin and next up Monaghan on Saturday night in the ‘Nell.

Dublin: - Stephen Cluxton (Parnells); Paul Conlon (St. Vincents) (Kevin Nolan (Kilmacud Crokes) (35)), Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala), Philip MacMahon (Ballymun Kickhams); Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St. Vincents); Eamon Fennell (O’Tooles) (0-01) (Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes) (50)), Ross McConnell (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (0-02); Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams) (0-01) (Brendan McManamon (St. Judes) (55)), Paul Flynn (Fingallians) (0-01), Kevin Bonner (St. Brigids) (0-01); David Henry (Raheny) (Conal keaney (Ballyboden St. Endas) (50) (0-01)), Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St. Endas) (0-01), Kevin McManamon (St. Judes) (0-01) (Bernard Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER (45) (1-00).

Mayo: - D Clarke; D Vaughan, G Cafferkey, K Higgins; P Gardiner (C Barrett (10)), T Howley, K McLoughlin; T Parsons, R McGarrity (N Douglas (20)); A Moran (0-02), S O’Shea (0-01), T Mortimer (B Douglas (60)); E Varley (1-03), A O’Shea (M Sweeney (69)), A Freeman (0-02) (C Mortimer (65)).