All-Ireland win is pinnacle for McManamon

Dublin goal scorer Kevin McManamon has described the "complete joy" after winning yesterday's thrilling All-Ireland SFC final win over a much-fancied Kerry side.

The St Jude's clubman entered the game as a 51st-minute substitute for Paul Flynn, and was to have an impact on the decider not seen since Offaly substitute Seamus Darby rattled Kerry with a late goal to take All-Ireland silverware in 1982.

"It is the pinnacle and we are just delighted with the win," he said at the post-match banquet in the Burlington Hotel last night.

The 24-year-old was delighted to be sprung from the bench and into the Croke Park cauldron at such a crucial stage in the game.

"It was a good feeling and I just tried to get stuck in to the game as soon as I could. It took a while, but it was a tough game and thankfully we got through it in the end."

It is not the first time that McManamon produced the goods as an impact sub. He had a similar cameo in Dublin's semi-final win over Donegal last time out.

Recalling yesterday's vital 64th-minute goal at the Hill 16 end, he commented: "The type of attack we had for the goal was just a real quick-fire counter attack.

"I think that is the time to get the goals. That was part of the plan, that if we did get a turnover in the middle of the park that we would counter. That when Kerry put men forward we would try and exploit it and that's what happened."

McManamon said that you can only dream of scores like that - on All-Ireland final day and in front of thousands of Dublin fans.

"It was a great feeling. You would be thinking about it growing up that someday you might score a goal into the Hill.

"Having been in the Hill myself for years watching games you were wishing that you were playing. There is a great sense of relief and complete joy."

It begins and ends with the local GAA club, and McManamon is very proud of his own club St Jude's.

"I have got great support from the lads in St Jude's," he added.

"I have played football with 25 of my best mates and it is just the best feeling to be able to bring something home to those lads.

"I probably wouldn't be playing for Dublin if I didn't play with such a good bunch of lads who had a good run in the club Championship a couple of years ago. It's unreal."