HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED
15.40
This wasn’t in the script. The sheer effrontery of Tyrone as they lead the AllIreland champions and unbackable favourites 0-3 to
0-1, nine minutes in, with the last of those scores, a neat finish from Tiernan McCann, leading to the first chants of “Tyrone, Tyrone” from their followers.
It is the unmistakeable sound of hope. Dublin are slow out of the blocks. Dean Rock (above) kicks a free wide into the Davin End from 40m; Philly McMahon wastes another chance and Jack McCaffrey drops one short.
In the seventh minute, Peter Harte settles Tyrone, after some poor wides of their own, posting their opening score from a free. In the next two minutes, scores from Mark Bradley and McCann have the crowd wondering if this could be the start of one of the great upsets.
Tyrone 0-3 Dublin 0-1 15.46
Red Hand optimism is palpable. They widen their lead and Dublin look subdued. A crunching tackle by Kieran McGeary on Philly McMahon, leading to a turnover, is emblematic of Dublin’s lethargy. John Small kicks a bad wide and, after a harsh free against McGeary, Rock misses again from 40m.
Growing in belief, Tyrone respond with two scores in a minute, both from Connor McAliskey, the second a peach from play.
Tyrone 0-5 Dublin 0-1 15.52
If you blinked, you might have missed how quickly it turned. In the space of a few minutes, Dublin demolish Tyrone’s lead.
First, Ciarán Kilkenny kicks the opening Dublin score from play and in the 21st minute they get the goal that levels the match.
Paul Mannion (right) is upended by Tiernan McCann and Conor Lane extends his arms, signalling a penalty.
The finish from Mannion is immaculate; a thunderous shot to the top-left corner, which gives Niall Morgan no chance.
Dublin win the next two Tyrone kick-outs, leading to two points for Dean Rock, atoning for his early misses.
Dublin 1-4 Tyrone 0-5 16.11
Half-time arrives with Dublin firmly in the ascendancy. If they were sluggish in the opening quarter hour, they are a different animal now.
Mannion epitomises their trademark industry when mopping up near his own goal after a brave block by Jonny Cooper on Connor McAliskey. They lose Cian O’Sullivan to a recurring hamstring injury, but it has no effect. In the 28th minute, Con O’Callaghan dummies Michael McKernan, moves in on goal and then lays off to Niall Scully, who knocks the ball into the net.
Rock’s third point from play follows a long period of Dublin keep-ball, and before half-time O’Callaghan wins a free, which Rock converts. Dublin are already winning the turnover count 10-6. Tyrone fans, now muted, fear the worst.
HT Dublin 2-7 Tyrone 0-6 16.47
Tyrone come out searching for a way into the game and are encouraged by early points from McAliskey and Kieran McGeary.
Dublin respond with scores from Brian Fenton and Brian Howard, a sweet strike from around 40m, and when Kilkenny picks off a score 10 minutes into the second-half, their half-time lead remains intact.
Tyrone need a goal, but don’t look remotely like scoring one.
Peter Harte tries to work a goal opening, but Dublin’s defence can’t be breached and Cathal McShane shoots wide into the Davin End.
Dublin 2-12 Tyrone 0-11 16.57
The four-in-a-row is within Dublin’s reach now, barring a calamity. Dean Rock’s free extends their lead to eight points with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Already there are Tyrone supporters leaving, as the match stewards take up their end-of-match positions. They look doomed. Cormac Costello, not long on the field, strikes an upright with a goal attempt. Rock lands the 45 which follows and Dublin are cruising. The atmosphere is incredibly flat, the grim forecasts of a comfortable Dublin win appearing on the money. In a final salvo, Tyrone move Colm Kavanagh to full-forward.
Dublin 2-14 Tyrone 0-12 17.05
With four minutes left, Kavanagh is fouled in the square by McMahon and Tyrone get a penalty. Peter Harte (above) is entrusted with the responsibility and doesn’t disappoint, a beautifully-placed low shot to Stephen Cluxton’s left.
As seven minutes of stoppage time is being announced, Lee Brennan narrows the gap to four and John Small is sent off after picking up a second yellow card.
Dublin are down to 14 men and their seemingly unassailable lead looks brittle. Is this an implosion?
Dublin 2-14 Tyrone 1-13 17.11
It proves a false alarm. Kevin McManamon scores a relieving point and while Pádraig Hampsey kicks one in return, the final scores from Kilkenny and Michael Darragh Macauley – a fisted effort after a huge catch at the other end by Brian Howard – see Dublin safely home.
The Dublin crowd is in full song. Soon you can hear the voice of Ronnie Drew singing Molly Malone and Cluxton is walking back up those steps again; the four-in-a-row celebrations can begin.
FT Dublin 2-17 1-14