Preview: All Ireland SFC Final - Dublin v Tyrone
Michael Darragh MacAuley, Dublin, and Declan McClure, Tyrone, collide during the All Ireland SFC Quarter Final Group Phase clash at Healy Park, Omagh.
Sunday September 2
All Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
Dublin v Tyrone, Croke Park, 3.30pm
By Cian O'Connell
What a difference a decade makes. Back in the crazy summer of 2008 when one of the greatest All Ireland Finals of the lot concluded Tyrone's flag was planted on the summit for the third time in six campaigns.
Dublin were pretenders then, but footballers of considerable talent and temperament were beginning to emerge in the capital. Glory would be attained by Dublin, but Tyrone's standing as a respected force was completed by Mickey Harte, who constructed a panel with skill, steel, and spirit. That kept Tyrone going on so many demanding days, but the intervening period has been about trying to stitch another team capable of operating on the September stage.
On four occasions Tyrone fell at the penultimate hurdle, waiting and wondering would they return to an environment in which Harte craved to operate. When Niall Sludden slammed home an opportunistic goal to beat Monaghan in a tight and tense semi-final Tyrone correctly celebrated furiously.
The next challenge, though, is daunting because the recent statistics simply capture Dublin's class and consistency.
Sam Maguire has been hoisted by Dublin five times since 2011 and Jim Gavin's outfit are gunning to complete a four in a row this weekend. Gavin's Championship record in charge of Dublin is a lesson in efficiency: Played 38, Won 35, Drawn 2, Lost 1. The 2014 defeat to Donegal hurts, but valuable lessons were learned.
Dublin's controlled performances have been rewarded with silverware, but Mayo did pose extremely stern questions in the 2015 semi-final, 2016 finals, and last year's decider.
Gavin's Dublin have undoubtedly been the dominant force so Tyrone are completely aware that defiance must be blended with dynamism.
Entering the 2017 semi-final Tyrone were loaded with hope about examining Dublin's resilience, but Con O'Callaghan's splendid early goal proved to be a most significant blow.
Tyrone couldn't truly recover ensuring that avoiding a similarly demanding start will be placed high on the agenda.
Mickey Harte and Jim Gavin shake hands following the All Ireland SFC Quarter Final Group Phase clash at Healy Park in July.
Dublin's threats are varied and wide. Stopping Jack McCaffrey, James McCarthy, and Brian Fenton bursting through is one area of note. Restricting the polished promptings of Ciaran Kilkenny, who has landed 2-21 from play, is another. Con O'Callaghan's relevance shouldn't be underestimated. Dean Rock cannot be allowed too many chances from frees because the prolific Ballymun Kickhams attacker will convert as his 2-34 haul this summer testifies.
Despite the pain suffered when losing 2-17 to 0-11 at the Jones Road venue in 2017, Tyrone have ploughed on. Losing to Monaghan in Ulster was a blow, but Harte has steered them safely through choppy qualifier waters before.
Entering the revamped Quarter Final Group Phase Tyrone blasted out a warning when demolishing Roscommon. The subsequent defeat to Dublin was a reminder of the distance still to travel, and while victories of the moral kind don't carry much weight the Red Hands went to Ballybofey carving out a win.
The Tyrone show was on the road and outfoxing Monaghan brought joy. Colm Cavanagh is the last playing link with a glorious era for Tyrone and his guile remains integral.
Mattie Donnelly, Peter Harte, and Sludden will be eager to find little pockets of space to dash into. Sludden has mined 3-13 in the Championship thus far so Eoin Murchan is likely to be in his company once more.
Richie Donnelly's development affords Tyrone an option to go direct too, but Harte will stress the importance of being clinical when unleashing shots in the scoring zone.
It is only Tyrone's sixth ever All Ireland Final appearance and being underdogs didn't perturb them in 2003, 2005, and 2008.
Dublin's clever and calculated style of play means they are accomplished standard bearers presently. Can Tyrone summon the industry and ice required to cause a surprise?
DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Philly McMahon, Cian O'Sullivan, Eoin Murchan; John Small, Jonny Cooper, Jack McCaffrey; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy; Niall Scully, Con O'Callaghan, Brian Howard; Paul Mannion, Ciarán Kilkenny, Dean Rock.
TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan, Ronan McNamee, Padraig Hampsey; Tiernan McCann, Frank Burns, Peter Harte; Colm Cavanagh, Cathal McShane; Mattie Donnelly, Niall Sludden, Kieran McGeary; Mark Bradley, Richard Donnelly, Connor McAliskey.
