Dublin win All-Ireland football final after victory over Kerry
Michael Bolton
Dublin have won their first All-Ireland football title since 2020 after a 1-15 to 1-13 win over Kerry in a dramatic final.
Ciaran Kilkenny started the game for Dublin, with Niall Scully dropping out of the team. Kerry were missing Tony Brosnan through injury, with Stephen O'Brien starting.
Paul Mannion has scored two points in an impressive first half for Dublin, with Kerry kept scoreless form the 14th minute to the 27th minute.
Seán O'Shea stood out for Kerry in the first half with three points.
Paul Geaney's goal just before the interval gave Kerry the lead after trailing for the first half, after David Clifford's brilliant pass set him up.
In the second half, the influence of David and Paudie Clifford as they opened up a 1-08 to 0-08 lead after 44 minutes.
However, Dublin around the game when they win a crucial turnover in the 45th minute, with Colm Basquel setting up Paddy Small for a goal for Dublin to bring them level.
Kerry's response was excellent, with three consecutive points, with Paudie Clifford among the scorers. Dublin had their own purple patch, with Mannion drawing Dublin level with 15 minutres to go at 1-11 each.
Just like the semi-final against Monaghan, Brian Fenton brought Dublin on another level in the final minutes, with his score in the 63rd minute giving Dublin the lead for the first time since the first half.
The lead was short-lived, as Killian Spillane made an instant impact to draw the sides level. Paddy Small once again scored at a vital stage as his point brought them ahead once again.
It looked like Dublin would hold out for victory until David Clifford brought Kerry level once again with a free in the 70th minute.
Then in the 73rd minute, after a goal scramble, it was Mannion who put the ball over to give Dublin the lead from close range. Not for the first time in his career, Dean Rock sealed Dublin's faith with a free with the final kick of the game to give Dublin their first All-Ireland since 2020.
