All-Ireland SFC Final: Mayo triumph at Croke Park

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final

Mayo 1-20 Kerry 1-17

By Cian O'Connell at Croke Park

Following the decades of pain, this victory brought immense pleasure to Mayo.

Andy Moran's pumped up team brought chaos and class to Croke Park. A first All-Ireland SFC triumph since 1951 was the reward.

The near misses and harrowing decider losses ensure this triumph will be gleefully celebrated for quite some time out west.

Ballyhaunis' Jack Coyne, heroic during the game, climbed the Hogan Stand steps to hoist the Sam Maguire Cup. Mayo, with a flair for the dramatic, made sure this decider wasn't short on intrigue.

Kerry started brightly, accumulating a seven point advantage, but there was a defiance about Mayo even during that testing spell. In the opening 12 minutes Mayo missed four two point attempts, but they kept beavering away.

Seán O'Shea crafted an opportunity for David Clifford to mine a 15th minute goal. At the opposite end of the field, the Kerry backs were being put under severe duress. Mayo were in the groove.

Despite trailing 1-5 to 0-1 as the end of the first quarter loomed, Mayo eventually landed a two pointer courtesy of Jack Carney.

Seán O'Shea replied with a point for Kerry, but Mayo were gathering belief and momentum. Ryan O'Donoghue rifled over a two pointer and Mayo kept trimming the deficit.

With Jordan Flynn supplying inspiration in the trenches, Mayo were forcing the Kerry attack to deal with a limited supply line. Nonetheless, the Cliffords still were prominent as Kerry departed at the break armed with a 1-8 to 0-10 advantage.

After the restart, Mayo continued to probe. A Darragh Beirne point and a 45 from the splendid Kobe McDonald had Mayo ahead, 0-12 to 1-8. Then, O'Donoghue and David McBrien fashioned a chance for Beirne to plant a tonic 40th minute major. Suddenly, Mayo were four to the good.

Kerry substitute Keith Evans clipped a score, but Carney, impressive once again, nailed a two pointer from play. Mayo were five clear.

Inevitably, Kerry summoned a response. The Cliffords combined to supply three points - two for Paudie and one for David, and a Graham O'Sullivan effort had the margin down to the minimum.

Kobe McDonald's 55th minute point carried meaning for Mayo, but David Clifford had one between the teams with 14 minutes left.

Mayo embarked on a critical little burst. Flynn and McDonald struck points, and Ryan O'Donoghue guided over a gorgeous two pointer. Mayo had a cushion of five once more.

Kerry wouldn't go away. David Clifford's exquisite right footed two pointer was followed by a single from Paudie.

Seán O'Shea, who had carried the fight throughout, attempted a two pointer from distance, but it didn't go over and Mayo broke clear with replacement Tommy Conroy sealing the deal with a fisted point. The Green and Red flag was proudly placed on the summit of the Gaelic Football World.

Scorers for Mayo: Darragh Beirne 1-3 (2fs), Ryan O'Donoghue 0-5 (2 2pt, 1f), Jack Carney 0-4 (2 2pt) Kobe McDonald 0-3 (1 45), Tommy Conroy 0-2, David McBrien, Jordan Flynn, and Sam Callinan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-6 (1 2pt), Seán O'Shea and Paudie Clifford (1 45) 0-3 each, Joe O'Connor, Dylan Casey, Graham O'Sullivan, Keith Evans, and Tom O'Sullivan 0-1 each.

Mayo: Jack Livingstone; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Eoin McGreal; Sam Callinan, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Bob Tuohy, Jack Carney; Diarmuid O'Connor, Paul Towey, Jordan Flynn; Darragh Beirne, Ryan O'Donoghue, Kobe McDonald.

Subs: Tommy Conroy for Towey (24), Mattie Ruane for Tuohy (53), Rory Brickenden for McGreal (53), Conor Loftus for O'Connor (58), Paddy Durcan for Callinan (65).

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Dylan Casey, Jason Foley, Paul Murphy; Graham O'Sullivan, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O'Shea, Seán O'Brien; Joe O'Connor, Seán O'Shea, Tom O'Sullivan; Paudie Clifford, David Clifford, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Evan Looney for Casey (28-30), Keith Evans for T O'Sullivan (HT), Tomas Kennedy for Geaney (51), Brian Ó Beaglaíoch for White (59), Evan Looney for Murphy (61), Micheál Burns for O'Brien (63).

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).