Overdue title was deserved – Farrell

GOOD things come to those who wait. Dessie Farrell had worked with this particular group of young Dublin footballers for five years. And there has been a bit of heartache within that timeframe. And before the silverware was lifted yesterday, there were a few anxious moments on the Dublin sideline.

‘We don’t make things too easy, of course. But we just had enough on the scoreboard. And there was enough of a gap between us,’ Farrell (below) said. ‘It was nervy enough stuff but I think the burst just after half-time saw us through.’

Having lost a couple of semi-finals in different grades, Farrell felt that this All-Ireland title was deserved. ‘They have been an unfortunate bunch in many ways through the minors and the last couple of years with the Under 21s, I believe they deserved this.’

‘A good start was always going to be important. And then the match-up, we wanted to minimise their main men as best we could. Restricting their space and time on the ball and I think we did a reasonably good job of that.’

Farrell confirmed that he will have no involvement with underage sides next year, while also reiterating that he has no interest in the senior job, claiming that it is too timeconsuming and demanding. Having led Dublin to this All-Ireland title, though, Farrell will be in the frame when Jim Gavin steps aside.

Galway manager Gerry Fahey admitted that Dublin’s scoring burst after half-time hurt his side badly.

‘I thought that going in at halftime we hadn’t played well and that there was more in us, but Dublin got a spell where they really punished us. Every chance they got, they put it over the bar and I think ultimately that proved the difference. Even when we got the goals, it wasn’t enough for us to clam them back.’