There may have been a new manager in charge and some familiar names missing but there was a lot about Saturday s latest All-Ireland win that was as quintessentially Dublin as the Poolbeg Towers.
Goal just after a throw-in? Check. Keeping your cool when the opposition are on a scoring roll and you re not really clicking? Check. Sucker-punching with another goal at the perfect time? Check.
But for former Dublin captain Ciarán Whelan, it was the Sky Blues ability to empty their bench and end up with a better-functioning 15 than they started with that once again proved crucial when the game was in the melting pot.
No joy for Mayo on the big day once more | Connaught Telegraph con-telegraph.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from con-telegraph.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
RTÉ Sport Reporter
At the end of last year s championship, as the capital toasted its five-in-a-row success, we might have thought we d have seen the last of the Dublin-Mayo finals - for a few years anyway.
The summary manner in which Dublin had dispatched a tired-looking Mayo side gave the 2019 semi-final an end of an era feel.
It was assumed that Kerry would now pick up the baton and become Dublin s chief rivals for the next half-decade or so.
This may yet happen.
But after giving last year s final a real rattle and winning the National League title, Peter Keane s team proceeded to tumble through the trap-door in Munster.
);
5 talking points after Dublin outlasted Mayo to continue their dominance of the All-Ireland SFC. Kevin O Brien By Kevin O Brien Saturday 19 Dec 2020, 8:55 PM Dec 19th 2020, 8:55 PM 10,199 Views 18 Comments
The Dublin team celebrate with the Sam Maguire.
Image: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Image: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
1. Impact of Dublin’s bench
IN THE 50TH minutes, Mayo had hauled themselves back to level terms after a Cillian O’Connor free. Shortly after, Dessie Farrell sprang Paul Mannion off the bench, joining fellow substitute Brian Howard on the field and the pair of former All-Stars played a decisive role in Dublin’s dominant final quarter.