By Cian O’Connell

Jim Gavin hailed the ‘mental resolve’ of Dublin’s decorated players following their fourth All Ireland title on the spin at Croke Park.

Trailing by four points early on Dublin responded before the break to lead by seven at half-time which pleased Gavin.

Though Dublin had squandered some chances initially Gavin was satisfied with how they recovered to dictate the agenda in the second quarter.

“The GAA should be very proud of both teams, of both counties, the spectacle that they put on today with some great scores,” Gavin reflected. "The attacking phases were quite equal, we were probably just a bit ahead of them on the efficiency rate and that is a credit to the Dublin players.

“We go after the skills of the game, we have worked hard at that in the last number of years and we probably got due reward. In the opening 10 or 15 minutes a little bit wayward, the Tyrone boys put them under pressure, but the mental resolve in that Dublin team is just a pleasure to witness.

“The collective ethos they have, they see the prize serving the county not the self. You have players there that didn't get game time, they didn't show it, but they must be disappointed not to play in an All Ireland Final. They just want the team to do well. It is team, team, team and I think they have demonstrated that again today.”

Gavin also praised Tyrone, who started and finished the match strongly. “In a contest and in a final as we have experienced the last number of years when it comes down to the last two teams they are going to give everything,” Gavin remarked.

“No surprise there from Tyrone. They are an outstanding team. My admiration for them went up tenfold after the game the way to a man, unprompted, they stayed on the pitch to see the Dublin guys come down from the Hogan Stand and the respect that they showed to the opposition it is very humbling to see that.

“Going into the game we knew it was going to be a very tough battle, they go 0-5 to 0-1 up, they have the momentum, but our guys don't blink which is a great characteristic to have.”

How Dublin remained cool under pressure was significant according to Gavin. “We just keep going through the phases to get ourselves back in the game. Even at half-time it is only a break in play, it still needs to be finished, the guys just kept with our process of going through each phase of play.

“They are going to come back, you see the subs they brought on, they finished with a really strong, offensive, attacking team.

“Putting Colm Cavanagh into full forward showed their intent, they really went after it and they left everything on the pitch. I've just left the Dublin dressing room and those guys are completely fatigued after a fantastic battle.

“I'm just really happy for them that they have come out the right side of it. Possibly it could have went the other way in the closing stages, but we did enough to see it out.”