Oisín McConville: John Small should’ve seen the line. Quite frankly, his tackle was horrendous

If you commit to a challenge like he did on Eoghan McLaughlin, you need to get the shoulder, or get the ball - Small did neither. There’s a duty of care here

Dublin's John Small with Eoghan McLaughlin of Mayo after the challenge that went unpunished by the match referee. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

At one stage on Dublin’s northside on Saturday evening, with the skies darkening, the lights on and the pitch with a greasy surface, it sounded like there were 124,000 rammed inside of Croke Park such was the crescendo.

Maybe it was the Mayo people? They do bring a different type of energy. The noise was deafening and Mayo had played their way back into the contest as only Mayo can do. They strive on abandonment, growing in stature when they have no option but to go for it, playing with verve, little time to think about things, tactics and logic seemingly going out the window, winning their duels.