DUBLIN 0-12
KERRY 0-9
98FM Sport AT CROKE PARK
This generation of Dublin players had to battle hard in poor conditions at Croke Park but showed the superiority to clinch their third All-Ireland senior title in 5 years and emulate the achievments of the great Kevin Heffernan team of the 1970s.
The rain that blew in from the west of Ireland across the city all afternoon did not help either team with all of the players finding it difficult to both hold onto the ball and stay on their feet.
Dublin had the brighter start with a Brian Fenton point to open the scoring followed by a Dean Rock free kick to settle the Ballymun Kickhams player’s nerves.
Just before that in the 4th minute Rock had a great goal chance but when he received the pass he was just a few yards from goal so Kerry keeper Brendan Kealy had an easy job to smother it.
After that there was about 13 minutes of sustained Kerry pressure and the Dubs had their backs to the wall but the men in green and gold failed to capitalise.
Kerry went in front with points from James O’Donoghue twice and Paul Geaney but they hit 5 wides in that period which would prove to be crucial.
Dublin hit back with another Dean Rock free before one from Stephen Cluxton saw the keeper register his first score of the Championship.
Bernard Brogan, Jack McCaffrey, Paddy Andrews and Philly McMahon rattled off scores without reply to give the Boys in Blue a 4 point half-time lead.
The second-half tactical battle between Dublin boss Jim Gavin and Kerry boss Eamon Fitzmaurice began from the off with Darran O'Sullivan coming on for the 2014 champs and Kevin McManamon replacing Dublin free taker Dean Rock.
Kerry got the scoreboard ticking with Jonathan Lyne and the sub O'Sullivan closing the gap to 2 but a Bernard Brogan free and Paul Flynn score reopened the gap to 4.
Gavin opted for defensive changes with John Small, Michael Fitzsimons entering the fray while Fitzmaurice went for the inspirational legends; Paul Galvin and Kieran Donaghy were thrown on but it proved not to be enough.
O'Donoghue and O'Sullivan scored to make it 10-8 before Flynn scored and then substitute Alan Brogan hit what could be his last point for the Dubs, fittingly into Hill 16 to the biggest cheer of the day.
A Bryan Sheehan free was the last kick of the dying horse and Kerry handed the Sam Maguire cup back to the Dubs.
