The 36-game unbeaten league and championship streak comes to a thrilling end.
Of course Dublin would still have the final say in their destiny, with Dean Rock kicking the last chance of the game agonisingly short as Kerry clung on for dear life to a one-point deficit over their arch nemeses.
As it was, the Kingdom had done enough – just about – to stop the Dubs’ surge to five league titles in a row and they helped people believe for once that Jim Gavin’s army can be toppled.
KERRY HAVE DONE IT!!!
Kerry 0-20
Dublin 1-16 pic.twitter.com/3jvpJzZXXk— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) April 9, 2017
It can’t be overstated just how good this Dublin side has been and will continue to be.
They’ve set the bar higher than anyone ever dreamed it and they’ve made the league what it is today because everyone just wants a swipe at them now. But, time and time again, people rolled up to take a swing and, more often than not, they were sent packing.
The last thing the rest of the country needed was Dublin angry and full of motivation going into the summer – that’s a scary thought now but it’s also good to know that there’s hope for everyone else. Or at least two or three others.
The capital’s cause wasn’t helped in Croke Park on Sunday though when talisman Diarmuid Connolly was given his marching orders after half an hour for a rather unnecessary off the ball incident with Peter Crowley.
James McCarthy comes down the right but, on the left, Connolly grabs Crowley from behind.
He pulls him to ground and carries on into defence.
The linesman spotted it though and a deliberate pull down is a black card offence so the assistant stepped up brilliantly and instructed the referee on what to do.
He got two hands on Crowley’s shirt.
He pulled him forcefully back and downward.
The whole way.
Crowley hits the ground.
Diarmuid Connolly is probably the best player in Ireland. Everything he does – from his shooting to his passing to his tracking back and bursting out of defence – oozes with both power and pure class.
He does not need to give officials opportunities like this to end his game but, for a second match running, Connolly was given a black card.
Niall Scully came on to replace the number 12 and, as it was, the Dubs lost by a single point. God knows Connolly could’ve helped that cause. He’d help any cause when he’s on the field. But he missed 40 minutes of this final.
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