Five-star Dubs seal title in thriller

A DAY to savour at Croke Park. Dublin managed to achieve the Leinster five-in-a-row at headquarters for the first time since 1978, despite being a man down from the 19th minute while brave Kildare deserve acclaim for their role in making this one of the best games of football of the year – with only two of the 35 scores coming from frees.

The fact that they failed so narrowly in their first decider since 2003 was due to a combination of factors, principally Dublin’s success in turning the game in their favour in the second half. And that was after they had lost their way in the face of a storming Kildare recovery from the concession of 1-3 after less than four minutes.

While there were a number of key management calls – foremost the introduction of Bryan Cullen after Ger Brennan had been red-carded for striking – ultimately it all came down to the superb finishing of Bernard Brogan in the closing minutes.