Bernard Brogan takes full responsibility for Mick Fitzsimons not shooting on the edge of the 21′.
There’s 90 seconds left of injury time, Dublin are a point up, and their man of the match corner back comes surging through the centre and is allowed to run the guts of 30 metres under no pressure whatsoever. He clips the ball between the posts and it’s game over.
Instead, he throws it to Bernard Brogan and the forward is blocked down. Mayo get one last chance to draw the game and they should’ve taken it. Dublin survive this bizarre moment of hesitancy. It’s a rare lack of conviction and, on another day, they’d be punished for it.
But Brogan has held his hands up and taken all the blame (even if no-one will change their minds about who is at fault).
“I probably should’ve made it easier for him,” the four-time All-Star spoke with SportsJOE.
“I came to him a bit early. He just wanted to get rid of it – I know him, when he’s running with the ball, he wants someone to come to him.
“I should’ve stuck the ball over the bar and put the game to bed. People are giving him the stick but I put my hands up on that one and take the blame. He probably didn’t want to shoot because, when he shoots, God knows where it’s going to go!
“But he had a great game and deserved man of the match.”
In fact, he had such a good game, he’s had such a good career, that his performance in the All-Ireland final replay was no surprise to Bernard Brogan who went on and heaped more praise on the defender.
Asked who is the most underrated player in Dublin, Brogan could only think of one man: Michael Fitzsimons.
“The most underrated player – and I’m delighted he got his just rewards [in the final] – is probably Mick Fitzsimons. Ask any forward in Dublin, he is your worst nightmare to mark in training.
“He is one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met, a really, really tight, sticky corner back and I was just delighted to see him get his just rewards the other day.
“It was tough for Davy Byrne who had to miss out and he’s a great bit of stuff as well. But, over Mick’s career, he probably hasn’t gotten the game time he deserves and it was great to see it.”
In another sense, it’s hard to argue against the idea that Diarmuid Connolly is relatively undervalued too.
The Vincent’s gem has just one All-Star throughout his whole career despite six of the most consistent years the country has seen. He’s been at the top, performing the spectacular every season, but has made just one official team of the year list so far.
Genius is never understood in its own time https://t.co/cw8Rqd8jAs
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 3, 2016
That should almost certainly change this year but, on November 4, Connolly will watch Brian Fenton, Lee Keegan, and Ciaran Kilkenny compete for Footballer of the Year – and he’s been overlooked.
“His ability is his own crutch, I suppose. People expect so much from him,” Brogan explained.
“He just always delivers magical performances and then it’s nothing new then, it doesn’t stand out. He has this constant high level of performance and that’s probably why he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
“Everyone knows and gives him credit that he’s a phenomenal footballer but it would be lovely to see him out there getting a nomination or getting the Player of the Year. He will get it at some stage but three worthy nominees this year, in fairness.
“He won’t complain. He’s the first man to admit that these things are just bonuses at the end of it. It’s about winning with the team and with your team mates and being able to have those couple of nights of celebration afterwards.”
But surely he should at least get a second All-Star. At least.
“I’m sure he’ll pick one up this year – hopefully,” his team mate agreed. “It’s been strange how he hasn’t had more because he’s been such a big part of what we’ve done. Even the last day, the way he stuck away that peno – he’s such a cool head – and be able to clip over a point off the left.
“He’s a class act, there’s no question about it. He’s not going anywhere – he’s going to cause defences a lot of problems for the next few years, please God.
“The most naturally talented player I’ve played with is probably Diarmo.”
“It's the guys who want it more than anyone else who usually end up making it” https://t.co/OrSRCnK71h
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 7, 2016
The GAA Hour pays tribute to the unbeatable Dubs and ask where did it all go wrong for Mayo in the All-Ireland final replay. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
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