'It took all our grit to get over the line' — Farrell relieved as Dubs pass Monaghan test

Manager insists he couldn't understand some of the pre-match commentary which he felt was underestimating the Farney challenge 

JOB DONE: Dublin manager Dessie Farrell, left, and Cormac Costello during Saturday's All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Dublin and Monaghan at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Despite a seven-point difference in the end, for the guts of an hour Monaghan provided Dublin with a proper test in the All-Ireland semi-final. Dessie Farrell saw that coming. Everyone else should have as well.

“I think anyone doing proper analysis on Monaghan would see that,” the Dublin manager said after their 1-17 to 0-13 victory. “I've never seen an improvement in a team like it in my time being involved in management. I know they had some poor performances earlier but the adjustments they made all the way through… Very cohesive, everyone really comfortable with the game plan.