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.
Gaelic football team of the year: Peter Canavan selects his standout XV for 2020 Dublin lead the way with nine representatives on the team. Mayo have three players on the side, two Cavan players are included, with one from Munster champions Tipperary making up the XV. Peter Canavan also selects his Footballer of the Year for 2020.
Last Updated: 22/12/20 11:51am Brian Fenton and Con O Callaghan are two of the first names on the team-sheet
Sky Sports pundit Peter Canavan selects his team of the year, after Dublin retained their All-Ireland title.
1. Raymond Galligan (Cavan)
There was a choice of three goalkeepers here. David Clarke came into the reckoning. Barring his kick-outs in the second-half of the semi-final win over Tipperary, he had a stellar year; making some eye-catching saves against the Premier and delivering from restarts in the decider, finding his targets 18/22 times.
RTÉ Sport Reporter
James Horan was businesslike and matter-of-fact after Mayo s latest All-Ireland final defeat, their fifth in the last nine years.
Saturday s All-Ireland decider offered far less ceremonial glitter than we re used to, with the Dublin players gamboling around an empty Croke Park in what was ultimately a private party.
For Mayo, with no fans around the place, conspicuous displays of heartbreak were in short supply. Horan was never too free with his emotions after previous final defeats and he wasn t about to let it all out in an empty stadium.
As expected, the Mayo boss was inclined to hone in on the nitty-gritty, citing an inability to mind the ball at times, along with the relatively slight impact of the subs bench as reasons behind the loss.
Horan hopes Mayo can learn and move on quickly
December 20, 2020
Mayo boss James Horan shouts instructions during the All-Ireland SFC final against Dublin
Mayo manager James Horan says surrendering cheap possession cost his side in yesterday’s All-Ireland SFC final against Dublin.
Having pushed the capital men for long stages, the Connacht champions eventually fell to a 2-14 to 0-15 at Croke Park.
Speaking to RTE Sport afterwards, Horan said he was pleased by aspects of his team’s place but felt Dublin ultimately controlled the decisive final quarter of the decider. Dublin have multiple goal threats. I thought our response and composure in the first half was very good. On our kickouts and opposition kickouts, we did very well,” he said.
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