Tactical breakdown: Dublin shared the load better than Kerry

A theme this season was Farrell getting the group back together. In the end, it was the power of the group that edged it.

CRUCIAL: Paddy Small of Dublin celebrates his 46th-minute goal during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Now the strain is starting to show. David Clifford curls over his third of the day and ambles along with a look of pure, resolute determination. Proper game face in a proper game. Ten minutes into the second half and Dublin are down by three. Clutch time.

Dessie Farrell is barking hard into his microphone. He pulls it agitatedly to his lips and lets loose. Pretty soon Jack McCaffrey and Niall Scully will race on but before they can Clifford comes again. Davey Byrne hardly knows what hit him but all he knows is he has lost the ball and scrambles into the breaststroke position in a bid to regain it.