In a week where we lost a sporting goliath in Johan Cruyff, it was a moment of Total Gaelic Football from Philly McMahon which put a rubber stamp on a tempestuous affair in Croke Park.
Dublin overcame Donegal 1-10 to 0-7 on Saturday evening in a game that you could describe as a the sequel to their infamous league fixture with Derry last year; Michael Murphy saw red and James McCarthy followed him down the tunnel after the Donegal man's mistimed challenge caused a scuffle, but it was a game blighted - aesthetically, at least - by Donegal's so-called blanket defence.
Though some will argue defending isn't a crime, players, pundits and fans alike - both in Croke Park and watching from their sofas - delivered a unanimously damning verdict on the game as a spectacle, as the Dubs power on and Donegal head north with more questions than answers.
Cold one in @CrokePark tonight. Please don't add to my woes by plaing 70 minutes of this.... pic.twitter.com/txU2KyKUJm
— EamonFennell (@EamonFennell) March 26, 2016
Lonely place for Michael Savage. Most noteworthy contribution to the game thus far from him. pic.twitter.com/FGBqNzhLho
— Alan Milton (@alanmilton) March 26, 2016
Donegal are ruining my first trip back... What a load of crap...Michael Murphy has hardly got into the Dublin half.
— Alan Brogan (@alanbrogan13) March 26, 2016
That kind of a first half... Sweet Jesus !!! pic.twitter.com/QRJKqSJLW3
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) March 26, 2016
If people think this is the way football should be played then we may give up. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/7xScMEePW8
— Joe sheridan (@Squarecut84) March 26, 2016
2/2 sick of hearing "that's the way football is played now" the reason is managers are scared to take a risk and just want damage limitation
— Joe sheridan (@Squarecut84) March 26, 2016
The entire Donegal team in this pic all 15 players- I suppose I'll be told it's working what's wrong with it! pic.twitter.com/0vCpAH3WpN
— Sylvester Hennessy (@Slyone1069) March 26, 2016
Great to see Donegal with only 14 behind the ball since Michael Murphy got sent off
— John Breen (@IslandBull) March 26, 2016
Good to see Donegal have reverted to ultra defensive "puke" football. #DublinvDonegal #gaa
— Tony O'Brien (@groutie60) March 26, 2016
#DUBvDON so funny watching Donegal playing keepy ball at 6 points down in injury time
— Daithí ÓCearbhalláin (@luiochain) March 26, 2016
Well that was muck #AllianzLeagues #GAA #donegal #DUBvDON
— Pauric Hegarty (@PauricHegarty) March 26, 2016
Keep parking that bus Donegal. 0-7 is some return alright. Fair play to the dubs for adapting and doing what they do best. Win. #puke
— Michael Kane (@MichaelKane10) March 26, 2016
Donegal management should be ashamed, 1 score in 28 minutes, they have 5 forwards as good as any in the country, let them play #blanket👎🏻
— Johnny McGlynn (@mc_gpo) March 26, 2016
Ballymun's James McCarthy might yet find himself in hotter water as tv replays seem to show him planting his hand near Martin McElhinney's eye during the scuffle that saw him sent off.
The result leaves the Ulsterman in fourth position in Division 1A, having played a game more than both Cork in Monaghan. Dublin remain top of the table with 12 points.
