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Dublin are back in the All-Ireland final. James Crombie/INPHO

Muscle-memory counts as Dublin edge out abrasive Monaghan

Late Rock goal puts polish on a mixed display.

LAST UPDATE | 15 Jul 2023

Dublin 1-17

Monaghan 0-13

NOBODY WAS GOING along to Croke Park to see if a classic game of football might just break out, it was much too important for that.

Monaghan arrived looking to make it to their first All-Ireland final since 1930 and with an hour gone on the clock, it looked as if it was a 50-50 thing.

This was the sixth time the sides had been level in the game and the score itself was an indicator of how the contest was just creaking open from the suffocating grind it had been. From a Rory Beggan kickout, the towering Gary Mohan knocked it down to Darren Hughes. The Scotstown man pinged a brilliant pass to Conor McManus who caught it chest height and stuck his arm up to claim a mark.

He converted it. Game on.

Only, that was as good as it got for Monaghan. Dublin attacked their own kickout aggressively to win possession and it ended up in the hands of Brian Fenton who negotiated his way past Mohan with a mixture of balance and brute strength to regain the lead.

At this, Dublin put on their full-court press. Beggan was under pressure to find the out ball. Hill 16 was on his back and the volume went up. Monaghan were pushed back as Dublin hungrily cornered them between the Hill and the Cusack Stand.

Stephen O’Hanlon was adjudged to have touched the ball on the ground, and Paul Mannion, despite an afternoon when he never got the revs up, floated over a difficult kick.

The next kickout was critical again. Dublin had another aggressive press on. Without any options, Beggan hooked it down the centre with little elevation but it went straight to Eoin Murchan who propelled it forward instantly. After going through the phases, Jack McCaffrey ended up taking a point.

Three points down, it wasn’t over for Monaghan. On 66 minutes, Darren Hughes sent a ball towards Monaghan sub Jack McCarron. His sidestep left Davy Byrne sliding on the grass.

There was a split-second that he spent adjusting himself for the kick. That was the chance. He didn’t get a gallop up at all, but there was clear space between him and Stephen Cluxton in goal. He took his point.

From that point, Dublin owned the ball. Fenton was in the trenches but looking as regal as ever, the happy warrior adding another point.

Lorcan O’Dell was heading towards goal and Hughes put in a monster hit that dislodged the ball. However, referee Sean Hurson felt the follow-through was a little too enthusiastic and embracing and ordered a free in.

Cormac Costello handed off the free to Dean Rock to make the margin four points, with two minutes of injury-time played.

Monaghan pushed tired bodies around the field, but a ball inside from Con O’Callaghan to Rock ended with the Ballymun man bundling over while practically on the goal line.

It was a cruel last act. But that’s what made the great Dublin team of recent years, the ability to blitz teams in injury time.

It’s easy to make judgements of Dublin based on the fact that Pat Gilroy is back as a selector, but there seems to be an edge present that hadn’t been there the last two years. 

When Niall Scully was black carded, he came back on only to be instantly replaced by Ciaran Kilkenny. The Castleknock man charged round like a bull in a display that could win him a starting slot for the All-Ireland final. 

Jack McCaffrey came on for Colm Basquel. They weren’t going more defensive. Instead, they moved Lee Gannon to wing-forward and he was able to help himself to a point. There are players now competing hard for every minute. It’s not how it was when they were in their mid-Jim Gavin peak, but that’s maybe never likely to happen again.

For now, they are back playing like the side that has it all to prove. Expect them to maintain that approach for the final.

Monaghan – darlings of the romantics – had done all that was asked of them.

They went with an eyeballs-out team selection that included Kieran Hughes and Conor McManus to start. They were just a point adrift at the break. By the end of Dublin’s specialty – ‘The Championship Quarter’ – they were level again.

But in Croke Park with the Hill howling and the heat of the pressure an inferno, nobody can hear you scream.

Scorers for Dublin: Cormac Costello 0-7 (3f, 1x ‘mark’), Dean Rock 1-1 (1f), Brian Fenton, Con O’Callaghan 0-2 each, Paul Mannion 0-2, (1f, 1x ‘mark’), Lee Gannon, Paddy Small, Jack McCaffrey 0-1 each

Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus 0-5 (3f, 1x ‘mark’), Rory Beggan 0-3 (3x ‘45’), Stephen O’Hanlon, Michael Bannigan, Ryan McAnespie, Gary Mohan, Jack McCarron 0-1 each.

Dublin

1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)

2. Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna), 3. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala), 4. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)

5. James McCarthy (Ballymun), 6. John Small (Ballymun), 7. Lee Gannon (Whitehall)

8. Brian Fenton (Raheny), 9. Brian Howard (Raheny)

10. Paul Mannion (Kilmacud), 26. Paddy Small (Ballymun), 12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)

13. Cormac Costello (Whitehall), 14. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala), 15. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden)

Subs

17. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock) for Scully (29)

20. Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf) for Basquel (44)

24. Lorcan O’Dell (Templeogue Synge Street) for Small (63)

25. Dean Rock (Ballymun) for Mannion (69)

18. Tom Lahiff (St Jude’s) for Costello (72)

Monaghan

1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)

6. Conor Boyle (Clontibret) 3. Kieran Duffy (Latton), 4. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)

5. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland), 11. Michael Bannigan (Annaghmullan), 7. Conor McCarthy (Scotstown)

20. Darren Hughes (Scotstown), 9. Killian Lavelle (Clontibret)

10. Stephen O’Hanlon (Carrickmacross), 17. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown), 12. Ryan McAnespie (Emyvale)

18. Conor McManus (Clontibret), 14. Gary Mohan (Truagh), 15. Dessie Ward (Ballybay)

Subs

8. Karl Gallagher (Emyvale) for Ward (44)

13. Jack McCarron (Scotstown) for Kieran Hughes (46)

2. Ryan O’Toole (Scotstown) for Boyle (60)

19. Sean Jones (Inniskeen) for McAnespie (66)

26. Colm Lennon (Ballybay) for Lavelle (69)

 

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)

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24 Comments
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    Mute Ultán Corcoran
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    Jul 15th 2023, 7:17 PM

    Not a thriller buy kept you on the edge of the seat until added time! You always felt the Dubs had that extra gear but what a test it was. Just what they’ll need if they’re to take on Kerry or indeed Derry too. Total credit to Monaghan, they played a great game and came within inches of a famous win. Say what you want about them but you can’t knock their hunger and determination. Some fine players produced over the years, and even as a Dub I thought McManus was absolutely box office again today!

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    Mute Michael
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    Jul 15th 2023, 7:40 PM

    @Ultán Corcoran: Well said Ultan, that Monaghan team are a credit to their county and deserve all the plaudits, but the Dubs are the old dog for the hard road at this stage and ground it out when it mattered. Still think Kerry will win the AI, and saw nothing today that would change my mind.

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    Mute Paully kells
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    Jul 15th 2023, 7:44 PM

    @Ultán Corcoran: fairplay to Monaghan went toe to toe with the dubs for 60 mins, and didn’t try to play this defensive/possession game, thought the final 10 they were getting tired and when the dubs could call upon Rock and macaffery to finish out the job that made the difference..

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    Mute Ultán Corcoran
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:03 PM

    @Michael: Spot on. Yep, would love to see Derry make the final for their own sake tomorrow. However, I think Kerry have enough in the tank and I too think they’ll win Sam if they progress. Not easy for them to beat the Dubs and visa versa but the magic of Clifford and your O’Sé’s etc are deadly. A game changer in many instances.

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    Mute Ultán Corcoran
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:06 PM

    @Paully kells: Yeah Pauly I agree, that bench is a big asset. They got over the line and didn’t even call upon the services of Bugler for example, who has been brilliant in the Dubs’ half-forward line this year. Still fancy Kerry to sneak it if they see off Derry tomorrow. Would love to see Derry win it in many ways tho!

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    Mute real man
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:38 PM

    @Michael: 2021 kerry were going to beat Tryone and didn’t…. final 2023 is a different game, different weather who knows. Dublin have scoring forwards. Kerry have 1

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    Mute moya power kelly
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    Jul 16th 2023, 2:08 AM

    @Michael: they have to win against Derry first

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    Mute Matthew McMahon
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:13 PM

    The level of disrespect thrown at Monaghan in the run-up to this game has been disgraceful. They did us proud today

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    Mute David Staed
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:13 PM

    That’s what it was in end . Experience. Well done to Monaghan. The scoreline didn’t reflect the game. Hitting the woodwork 3 times in the first half is a killer. Good luck to the dubs.

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    Mute Allen Durkin
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:29 PM

    A massive turning point was Hursons failure to award McManus a free when Mannion blatantly pulled him back, in what was a lazy forwards tackle. In the immediate aftermath, Dublin got the ball back and went up and scored. What should’ve been a 1 point game turned into a 3 point game, and dublin never looked back after that. I am blue in the face saying that referees shouldn’t be from either province that is being represented in the match. Why not get a ref from Connaught. Beggers belief.

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    Mute Patrick Kennedy
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    Jul 15th 2023, 9:43 PM

    @Allen Durkin: yeah monaghan were just about to score 1.3 from that attack and put dublin out of sight but the nefarious ref deliberately denied monaghan victory by making that one decision. he was storing it up as he knew he had that one moment to kill monaghan’s hopes. you could see him thinking…THIS…this is the moment that is going to see monaghan win the game (yeah they would still be behind but this was obviously going to be the catalyst for a resounding victory) so id better not blow up for what looks to the naked eye like a 50-50 call, but only the really sharp eyed observer will know is the winning of the game for dublin and a clear conspiracy to deny plucky monaghan their chance at being hammered by kerry (maybe Derry) in the final….and nobody will know except for that one guy in the 42 comments…

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    Mute mainmsam
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    Jul 15th 2023, 9:58 PM

    @Patrick Kennedy: outstanding insight Patrick. This comment wins The 42 today

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    Mute Allen Durkin
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    Jul 15th 2023, 10:21 PM

    @Patrick Kennedy: I’m a neutral mate. I just taught it was a big call. IMO. No need for the BS reply. I bid you fair well.

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    Mute Patrick Kennedy
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    Jul 15th 2023, 10:36 PM

    @Allen Durkin: well if you post bs you’re gonna get a bs reply…something to consider the next time your fingers stray too close to your keyboard

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    Mute Allen Durkin
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    Jul 15th 2023, 10:42 PM

    @Patrick Kennedy: that’ll do pig

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    Mute John McElroy
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    Jul 15th 2023, 11:20 PM

    @Patrick Kennedy: You don’t show yourself in great light by your comments. Infantile response, displaying a lack of class.

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    Mute Colm Brady
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    Jul 16th 2023, 1:35 AM

    @Patrick Kennedy: Dublin deserving winners but interesting to obsevre the very contentious call that went against Monaghan for an alleged pick up off the ground to gift Dublin a 2 point lead on 63 mins and then 2 mins later the umpire inexplicably gives Dublin a 45 when he runs the ball over the line, only to be correctly overuled by the referee/crowd when the replay was shown on the big screen and scarily obvious.
    Unfortunately a theme in all sports big teams getting favourable decisions. See All Blacks in rugby during the 00s, Man Utd in football during the 90s, the current Limerick side in hurling, Patriots in NFL during the 00s etc.

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    Mute Patrick Kennedy
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    Jul 16th 2023, 8:52 PM

    @Allen Durkin: and yet the digital diarrhoea continues…bad fingers allen…get them under control

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    Mute Daire O'Reilly
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    Jul 15th 2023, 7:24 PM

    Dublin certainly aren’t lacking the hunger they had but look so much easier to score against then they have previously. Can imagine it’ll be very difficult for them to outscore Kerry in the final.

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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Jul 15th 2023, 7:32 PM

    @Daire O’Reilly: Arrogant comment there lad. You have a game to win tomorrow before you can look forward to taking on Dublin in the All Ireland Final.

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    Mute JG362
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    Jul 15th 2023, 7:37 PM

    @Daire O’Reilly: I think that’s a very fair comment they are definitely letting up scores easier than in the past. I thought the free for the pick off the ground was a huge turning point as the ref was having a brilliant game apart from that decision.

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    Mute real man
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:36 PM

    @JG362: he touched it on the ground

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    Mute Joe Kennedy
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    Jul 15th 2023, 8:56 PM

    @JG362: touched on the ground 100%….spot on by the ref. Turning point in that it spurned Dublin on?

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    Mute Stanley darsh
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    Jul 15th 2023, 7:15 PM

    Split Monaghan in two. Hahah

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