Fourmidable Dubs
Boys in Blue savour another All-ireland triumph
DUBLIN BEAT TYRONE TO SEAL FOUR IN A ROW:
THERE were tears of sorrow and joy at Croke Park yesterday after Dublin’s historic All-ireland football win over Tyrone.
The 80,000-strong crowd spilled on to the streets around North Dublin celebrating and commiserating after a pulsating game.
The underdogs from the North gave it their all but Mickey Harte’s men came up short against Jim Gavin’s side who were chasing a date with destiny.
Die-hard Dub Ray Costigan, from Ballyfermot, paid tribute to Tyrone but said the result was a fair one.
He added: “Dublin were always going to win, it’s not inevitable or a foregone conclusion but they were the better team.
“Tyrone have vastly improved since last year. If other teams can copy what Dublin and Tyrone are doing there will be a big improvement.” Eamon Barry, from East Wall in the capital, said he has no doubt Tyrone will be back next year.
He added: “They will be back in the final next year, they’re the best team in it along with Dublin, that’s why they were both in the final. Mickey Harte knows what he’s doing.”
But for Red Hand fan Emmett Woods, who travelled from New York for the game, defeat was a bitter pill.
He criticised officials after a controversial penalty was given to Dublin after Paul Mannion was fouled by opponent
Tiernan Mccann.
He said: “I flew all the way here and came here very confident today and it was a tremendous game.
“But any good referee would tell you that wasn’t a penalty, a 45 might have been a fairer decision. Mickey’s been through his fair share of hardships and I believe he deserves to stick around for a while.”
Another jet-setting Tyrone fan Annalisa Donnelly flew home from Sydney, Australia, for the final and said she had no regrets. Annalisa, from Six Mile Cross, said: “I flew all the way back for the game, I’m sorry about the result but we’ll be back next year. I couldn’t have missed it – there’s no place like home.” Barry O’neill, from Gortin, said the Red Hand fans still have complete confidence in the manager.
He said: “Mickey will lead them all the way next year, he’s the best man for the job. I’ve no hesitation about Mickey at all.
“We’ll be back again next year. We’ve a young side, brimming with confidence. They’re raring to go.”