Relentless Dublin just won’t go away

Dublin 0-22 Kerry 2-14: At this stage, Kevin McManamon has reached Lord Voldemort notoriety in Kerry. He-who-must-not-be-named was at it again yesterday, remonstrating so strongly he won his side a 45 which was converted, threatening a winning point and then bulldozing Peter Crowley with a challenge so unfair, it was almost comical.

It wasn’t McManamon’s fault that the foul went unpunished but it certainly contributed to Dublin seeing out a win they were marginally good for considering how impressively they fought back from five-point and three-point deficits in the second half.

Aidan O’Mahony had earlier escaped sanction for a similar challenge on Philly McMahon but Kerry were outraged. Éamonn Fitzmaurice may not have been drawn on the decision not to award Crowley a free but his body language said it all. Selector Mikey Sheehy’s decision to approach David Gough as he left the field uttered enough about his take on it. The unbecoming behaviour of some Kerry fans in the Cusack Stand as they showered Gough with match programmes and plastic bottles spoke volumes of their disgust.