Invincible Dublin make hay after O’Mahony dismissed

Inside Track with John McIntyre

A second modern-day GAA Goliath is sweeping all before them. Dublin are fast becoming the ‘Kilkenny’ of Gaelic football after putting arch rivals Kerry to the sword in the Division One National League final at Croke Park on Sunday to maintain their remarkable dominance of the competition.

Winning four league titles on the trot is impressive by any standards, but when it’s coupled with the Dubs capturing three of the last five All-Ireland championships, it underlines just how much Jim Galvin’s multi-talented squad have pulled away from the chasing pack. They are in a different league at present and that reputation must be particularly hard to stomach for their weekend victims.

Having lost to Dublin in several big collisions over the past few seasons, including last year’s All-Ireland final, the Kingdom would have been anxious to stop the rot in the 2016 league final. They were clearly up for the contest and were still hanging in there – just two points behind – when defender Aidan O’Mahony was red-carded for an off-the-ball incident with Jonny Cooper.

It’s doubtful if Kerry would have salvaged a result with even a full complement of players as the Dubs were starting to really crank up the pressure, but they had no chance at all after O’Mahony, who has lived close to the edge in the past, got his marching orders. The title holders immediately smelt blood and went for the jugular in the style of a team which is setting new standards in terms of athleticism, quality and physical power.

By the end, Dublin had stretched 11 points clear as they relentlessly pounded the Kerry posts in the final quarter. Granted, opposition keeper Brendan Kealy was badly fault when his short kick out went astray, presenting Paul Flynn with a guilt-edged opportunity to fire to the net from close range, but the incident also underlined the overall alertness of the best team in the country.

A second goal followed from substitute Enda Lowndes, and with fellow reserves, Kevin McManamon and Cormac Costello picking off some fine points, the final minutes must have been excruciating to watch for Kerry fans as the champions began playing ducks and drakes with them. A measure of Dublin’s remarkable consistency is that they have been unbeaten in competitive action since losing the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final to Donegal – a staggering run of 22 matches unbeaten.

When you consider that they have been lining out minus two of their defensive cornerstones, full back Rory Carroll and the 2015 Footballer of the Year, Jack McCaffrey, it shows the in-depth strength of the Dublin squad. Neither player is expected to feature in this year’s championship as both are out of the country pursuing their work careers, but the Dubs’ machine grinds on remorselessly. On this form, it’s impossible not to see them retaining the Sam Maguire Cup in September.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.