The king is dead, long live the king.
Dublin's reign as All-Ireland champions is over, with Mayo pulling off a stunning comeback to upset the odds at Croke Park this evening.
The game looked as though it was over at halftime, with Dublin holding a six-point lead and Mayo not looking like they would threaten at all in forward areas.
However, the game completely flipped on its head after the interval.
It was James Horan's side who dictated the pace of play, with Dublin only scoring three points in the entire 35 minutes. Rob Hennelly showed incredible nerve to nail a 45 at the second attempt, with the kick being retaken after Philly McMahon infringed on the kicker, and we were on the way to extra-time.
It's extra-time!!! Rob Hennelly, at the second time of asking, nails the 45. Incredible drama at Croke Park. https://t.co/nRzhPydBGE #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/uvYhXuENsZ
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 14, 2021
Once we got into extra-time, there was only one team in it.
Mayo blew Dublin out of the water, with Dessie Farrell's men seemingly off their feet. Tommy Conroy kicked a couple of incredible scores and they were well on their way.
With The Dubs down to 14 men after Colm Basquel's black card they took control. In the end, they would run out as three-point winners.
It is the first time since 2014 that Dublin have lost a championship game.
It was pure emotion from Mayo at the final whistle and it's easy to understand why. This is the first time they have beaten Dublin in any competition since 2012.
Speaking on RTÉ after the game, Padraig O'Hora summed up the emotion of the occasion perfectly.
"Look at this place... it's the best day of my life" - An emotional Padraig O'Hora is named man of the match after an epic Mayo performance #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/WlthukIWxD
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 14, 2021
It's impossible to put it into words. Look at this place and what it means to all of us!
I can't even describe it, it's unbelievable. It's the best day of my life...
We love a battle and we always seem to put ourselves at the bottom of the hill before we go climbing it.
We knew what we needed to do, we put in the work all year. It's an outrageous squad, everybody put in a shift all year and we turned them over like we planned to...
We've got a squad of outrageous players that put in work week in and week out that you don't see. When Oisín (Mullin) got hurt, somebody else stepped up and that's what it's all about.
We're a unit, not a bunch of individuals. It's a team...
We have only one plan (to win an All-Ireland).
What a day for the people of Mayo.
You certainly couldn't begrudge this victory, or whatever success may yet come their way over the remainder of the year.
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