Dubs must go with the flow
Much of the analysis since has focused on how the eventual champions fell over the line after an acquiescent collapse by the Dublin team towards the end of a riveting match. There is no doubt that having led from the second minute until the 68th, that Dublin followers will have grown to detest the defeat as much as any in their recent history, but a detached examination of the entrails will reveal Cork were in fact the better team and the better team always wins the day.
It has become a feature of Cork’s play at the end of last year and, happily for them, continuing into the season opener against Kerry two weeks ago, that they force the opposition into the concession of free kicks within scoring range late in the game. It is also unlikely to be a coincidence that they have the two most reliable free-takers in the game today, Donncha O’Connor and Daniel Goulding punishing every indiscretion. Witness Donncha O’Connor’s goal and three points from placed balls at the end of last year’s semi-final and Daniel Goulding’s casual stroking of second half 50s in the final. Just two weeks ago in Tralee, Goulding and O’Connor closed out the game with kicks they might have missed last year. While the composure of both forwards is to be admired, the forces that compel opposition defenders to concede frees are more impressive.
