Dublin made it six in a row when they won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship against Mayo in Croke Park on Saturday.
The battle for the Sam Maguire was as hot as ever, despite the colder than usual conditions for the All-Ireland final.
Former Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan showed his support ahead of the game, while others voiced their excitement for the game throughout the match.
Dublin were off to a flyer with a goal from Dean Rock in the first 13 seconds of the game. A black card and a second goal for Dublin would see out their first half, while Mayo kept themselves in the match through scores.
Íosa Chríost!!! I don’t think anyone even got to the end of “Hup Mayo” before Dean Rock got the cúl #stormer #allirelandfinal #DubvMayo #13seconds
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) December 19, 2020
With a halftime score of Dublin 2-6 Mayo 0-10, supporters of both counties were buzzing as both teams looked capable of winning the championship early on.
The quality of play on the field lived up to the spectacle of the occasion, as neither side were willing to let the other stay ahead for long.
So nice to have a competitive first half! Wasn’t looking promising after that goal straight outta the traps.
Cmon Mayo! 🟢🔴 #allirelandfinal— Daithí McKay (@daithimckay) December 19, 2020
That was the kind of game we all wanted to see. Good football between two well-matched teams. An exciting second half ahead @officialgaa #allirelandfinal #DublinVMayo pic.twitter.com/lHyjfJRQfS
— Daniel Mulhall (@DanMulhall) December 19, 2020
With Mayo just one point behind at the end of the first half, some fans were beginning to believe that a Christmas miracle could be on the cards for the green and red.
#DUBvMAYO If Mayo win Sam we'll look back on 2020 as a great year #allirelandfinal
— Liam Farrell (@drlfarrell) December 19, 2020
Mayo the more impressive team in that half. #DUBvMAYO #allirelandfinal
— Aidan Regan (@Aidan_Regan) December 19, 2020
However, referee David Goldrick caught a bit of criticism from supporters during the game, with most of the criticism surrounding a hit on Mayo's Lee Keegan, which was ruled shoulder to shoulder contact by Goldrick.
Many pundits thought it was a shoulder to the chest of Keegan, and should have been sanctioned.
David Coldrick was a stinking appointment for this game. Brutal.
— Declan Bogue (@DeclanBogue) December 19, 2020
That’s brutal from Coldrick. Shocking decision, didn’t remotely look like it was shoulder to shoulder.
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) December 19, 2020
Shocking from Coldrick, obvious that was never shoulder to shoulder live
— Philip Jordan (@PhilipJordan7) December 19, 2020
As the second half continued to tick away, Dublin could not get away from Mayo on the scoreboard. Despite their two goals, Dublin only led by a single point as the teams tool their second water break of the match.
It’s there for Mayo tonight. Again. Come on Maigh Eo! The country’s behind you! Well not Dublin. Or Galway. Maybe not the Rossies either... But, yeah #DUBvMAYO #allirelandfinal
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) December 19, 2020
As is so often the case in Dublin matches, the third quarter proved to be Mayo's downfall, as the defending champions began to pull away.
They scored five unanswered scores in the second half to pull away from a very game Mayo side.
Fecks sake Mayo choking in this second half #DUBvMAYO #allirelandfinal
— Daithí McKay (@daithimckay) December 19, 2020
Disappointed and sad for my mum. Mayo not there.. Disappointing to see so many Neymars at Croke Park..
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) December 19, 2020
This is not vintage from Dublin at all. Some uncharacteristically sloppy play. Reckon they are in 3rd gear. Should win by 6 at least. Scully best player on the pitch imo
— John Connellan (@JohnnyRC88) December 19, 2020
Mayo fans now starting to leave the..er, living room. #DUBvMAYO #allirelandfinal
— Daithí McKay (@daithimckay) December 19, 2020
With the final few minutes drawing to a close, pundits and fans alike weer in agreement that it will take some doing to beat this Dublin team.
Have to hand it to the dubs they are a footballing machine. Mayos decision making in second half really poor something Dublin are really good at #6inarow
— Connaire Harrison (@connaire14) December 19, 2020
More history and not sure there’s much evidence of it ending any time soon. Incredibly disappointing final quarter. That Dublin bench 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nnmevzDH2b
— Adrian Barry (@WhosAdrianBarry) December 19, 2020
Not to be today. Dublins game management was something else in the second half. mayo will no doubt keep coming back. Dublin in pole for 7.
— Conor.mortimer (😷)⚽️ (@Conmort) December 19, 2020
Although the Sam Maguire will not be going home with the victors tonight, it will remain in Dublin for another year. Dublin earned their 2-14 to 0-15 victory in a tense All-Ireland final.
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