Dessie Farrell: We'll Never See The Likes Of Dublin Old Guard Again

Dublin manager Dessie Farrell has lauded his players for showing "character in abundance" after they dethroned Kerry to regain the All Ireland Senior Football Championship for a seventh time in nine years.

A second half goal from Paddy Small following loose play in the Kerry defence, swung momentum the Dubs' way, as they went on to outscore their opponents by 0-7 to 0-2 down the home stretch to emerge victorious in Croke Park by a two point margin to regain the Sam Maguire Cup, having trailed by three points with 20 minutes remaining.

Having exited the championship at the semi final stage in each of the last two seasons, Farrell was full of praise for the returning trio of Stephen Cluxton, Jack McCaffrey, and Paul Mannion who all played a key role in Sunday's success, with Mannion's 0-5 particularly key.

The trio return to the Dublin fold for the first time since the county's six in a row party of 2020. 

Cluxton was also joined by team captain James McCarthy and Mick Fitzsimons who have now won nine All Ireland Medals each, with the likes of Ciaran Kilkenny, Dean Rock, and Cormac Costello all on eight each.

"They're a special crew", Farrell said, reacting to this seismic victory over last year's winners Kerry. "We knew that from day one, of course, but to come back this year again and do what they did, some of those senior guys, we'll never see the likes of them again". 

He also added, "The young lads that came in over the last two years have brought great energy and competition, which is what you want".

Farrell who has now won two All Ireland titles as Dublin manager, also insisted that it was not too difficult to persuade the likes of Cluxton, McCaffrey and Mannion to return to the Dublin fold.

"It wasn't difficult. They love playing football. They love Dublin", stated Farrell. "It was just once they were ready and they were this season, thankfully".

"It was a huge amount of experience on a day like this and it definitely added something significant to our overall game plan". 

"It probably couldn't have gone much better than we had scripted. We knew the bench was going to be important and to get some of those senior guys in at the end was really important".