Dublin marched on passed a spirited Mayo side as a surging second half performance earned them a seven point victory over the westerners.
It was the semi-final we were hoping for last week but it took the second time of asking for it to live up to the hype. All the talk before the game was of Diarmuid Connolly's overturned match ban but the Dublin talisman was non existent in Croke Park today. Instead it was Paddy Andrews who stood up to the plate for the Dubs as he put in a stellar performance scoring 0-5 from play.
The first half was an absolute joy as both sides swapped scores throughout the half. Cillian O'Connor getting the pick of those as he hit an absoulte beauty with the outside of the right and it curled over the bar. The sides were inseperable thorughout the first half with 16 of the 20 points scored coming from play and neither side opening a lead of more than two points leving them level at 0-10 apiece at the interval.
The second half saw the introduction of Andy Moran and just like in the first encounter he made an impact winning a free and setting up Cillian O'Connor for his goal. O'Connor having to produce a brilliant bit of improvisation to get the ball in to the back of the net giving Mayo a four point lead.
Two goals in as many second half minutes from Bernard Brogan and Philly McMahon turned the game in the dubs favour however. Brogan playing a huge part in both. Brogan, reminiscent of Robbie Keane last night, latched on to a ball two yards away from goal and buried into the back of the net. The Plunketts man also jigged his way into the Mayo 13 before off loading the ball to a waiting Philly McMahon who hit the ball in to the back of the net.
In a matter of minutes momentum had swung completely in the Dubs favour. Not 5 minutes had p[assed when the game was truly over as super sub Kevin McMenamin goaled himself with a great solo run, finishing past Hennelly. An 11 point swing in ten minutes.
Goal! Mayo 1-13 Dublin 3-14 #DUBvMAY McMenamon makes it three for the Dubs pic.twitter.com/r66NV6meL6
— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) September 5, 2015
A cracker of a game ended with Dublin seven point victors even though the game was far closer than the scoreline suggests. Kerry await as Dublin try to reclaim their crown on September 20th. For Mayo, the famine still prolongs as they will hope their drought can be ended next year.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
