What an incredible game of football. A completely absorbing, breathless All-Ireland football semi-final that pulsed with a rapidly beating heart from the first moment to the last.
But it didn't always look like it would be the case. Dublin started the game in a manner that looked like they were going to school Kerry while the Kingdom seemed quite happy to be the student.
When are Kerry gonna do something about the fact Dublin are playing with 18 players?
— Ciarán Murphy (@saveciaranmurph) August 28, 2016
All that pre match talk of Kerry hunger, having a go? On early evidence this could be embarrassing.#DUBvKER
— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) August 28, 2016
Kerry didn't score until the 14th minute, and frees from Colm Cooper as well as open play points from Paul Geaney - who was living off scraps - were all that kept Kerry within touching distance. Jonny Cooper and Philly McMahon were dominating in the Dublin full-back line and Kieran Donaghy was struggling to get into the game for Kerry.
But still they remained within reach of the Dubs, waiting to capitalise. And capitalise they did, on two outrageous mistakes from the ordinarily peerless Stephen Cluxton.
See also: Frame By Frame: Analysing Stephen Cluxton's First Half Clangers
Dublin were shaken, and appeared on the ropes. As Darragh Maloney said in commentary, half time came at a bad time for the Kingdom.
'cluxton' & 'rattled' are now trending in Ireland https://t.co/lnn4sECpiy
— Trendsmap Ireland (@TrendsIreland) August 28, 2016
STEPHEN CLUXTON HAD A BRAINFART THE SIZE OF MARINO
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 28, 2016
Nothing like a good meath man doing umpire to sprint for the green flag. #GammOn #DUBvKER
— Rory's Stories (@RorysStories) August 28, 2016
After Cluxton's mistakes, the half time scoreline read 2-08 to 0-9 for Kerry after a couple of Colm Cooper frees at the end of the half.
Would this be one of the famous Dublin meltdowns that we had thought were gone from their psyche?
Infuriatingly for Kerry, they missed some crucial chances in the second half when on top.
Kerry not taking their chances and yet only have 4 wides. Level game. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) August 28, 2016
Diarmuid Connolly, who had started the first half like a train, was largely invisible as the second half wore on. James Donoghue came on and put over an outrageous score supplemented by several from the on-fire Geaney.
If Paul Geaney doesn't win player of the year it's a farce
— Conor Fortune (@conor_fortune) August 28, 2016
There was some controversy about Shane Enright escaping a black card for a wayward challenge with around seventeen minutes to go. He was given a yellow by stylish referee David Gough.
The ice-headed Dean Rock slotted a free to draw the sides level with only minutes remaining. Martin Carney came out with some questionable remarks.
A classic Martin Carney. 19 all and he says Kerry taking geaney off is KERRY " holding what they have" ???? #DUBvKER #gaa
— Anthony Moyles (@moylesiea) August 28, 2016
But Eoghan O'Gara sent the Dubs into the lead, before Diarmuid Connolly popped up with an incredible left-footed point to send Dublin into the final.
Incredible. Heartbreaking.
Let's hope @RTEgaa pick up on the fact that O'Gara should not have been on the pitch today. Same incident as @niallcass11 ? #biggerlegalteam
— Ryan Mc Cluskey (@clucker60) August 28, 2016
What a game. Fair due to dubs they went for it and got it. Best game of ball I've seen in a long time. #eirgaa
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) August 28, 2016
Dublin fans reflected on their escape from jail.
Up the Dubs, Up the Dubs #COYGIB #crokepark #finals
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) August 28, 2016
Kingdom fans were left to ponder what might have been...and they were not happy with Gough for missing a free they felt should have been awarded for a foul on Peter Crowley.
WE WERE ROBBED #KerryVDublin
— Jennie Brosnan-Thompson (@gender_jen) August 28, 2016
Kerry fans throwing objects at David Gough as he leaves the field. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) August 28, 2016
See also: Frame By Frame: Analysing Stephen Cluxton's First Half Clangers
