Throw-in is at 3.30 and we’ll hear from our man at GAA HQ, Fintan O’Toole, a little later. But plenty of pre-game material to whet your appetite.
First up, Mayo star Aidan O’Shea, who gave his thoughts to The42 this week. He knows Dublin better than most and he offered his take on what makes Jim Gavin’s men tick.
Dublin’s efficiency in front of goal compared to ourselves in the replay was a lot greater. Their bench is very, very strong. We didn’t cope with it the second day with MacAuley, Fitzsimons, Kevin McManamon and Alan Brogan all making a difference. They were probably the two key areas that they had the edge.”
O’Shea reckons Cian O’Sullivan – who has been named in the Dublin team despite a hamstring injury – will be a crucial element in today’s clash:
I think Cian O’Sullivan is critical to the game. I don’t see an obvious replacement to fill his shoes if he’s not playing. I think they’ve missed Ger Brennan at number six in the last year but he’s filled the void quite well. He can play anywhere and if he’s not playing, it’ll be a big negative for Dublin.
And how does O’Shea feel this game is going to go?
“You’d have to say Kerry have an advantage at midfield. That’s where Cluxton comes into the game in keeping the ball away from them and limiting their involvement. David (Moran) and Anthony (Maher) size wise alone, they’re hard to play against.
It’s already been a terrific day for Kerry – their minor team absolutely cruised to the minor title after a one-sided affair at Croke Park a little earlier.
That’s successive titles for Jack O’Connor – whose trophy cabinet is over-flowing at this stage.
Read Fintan O’Toole’s report right here.
The Kerry team are out on the pitch for their warm-up. No late changes expected for the Kingdom – in contrast, according to RTE’s Colm O’Rourke, to their opponents today. He’s anticipating Jim Gavin has some tricks up his sleeve regarding team selection.
They’re finally on the field right now! They like to keep us waiting, don’t they?
The latest from our man at Croke Park, Fintan O’Toole.
Big news is that Dublin are starting Cian O’Sullivan and that the rain is cascading down upon Jones’ Road.
Twenty minutes to go to throw-in here, finishing touches being put to both sides warm-up’s. Cian O’Sullivan, Marc Ó Sé and Paul Murphy – the injury concerns this week – all taking a full part.
Weather conditions not great here as the rain is falling, Kerry have come through two monsoons already this year against Cork and Tyrone, could that slight edge tip the scales?
Cracking clash in prospect but I’d expect a cagey start with both sides easing into it.”
So, we can remind you all of the lineups for both teams now that the starting XVs are confirmed.
Here’s how Dublin will look:
S Cluxton (capt.);
J Cooper, R O’Carroll, P McMahon;
J McCarthy, C O’Sullivan, J McCaffrey;
B Fenton, D Bastick;
P Flynn, D Connolly, C Kilkenny;
P Andrews, D Rock, B Brogan.
And here’s how Kerry will start the game.
B Kealy;
F Fitzgerald, A O’Mahony; S Enright,
J Lyne, P Crowley, K Young;
A Maher, D Moran (C)
S O’Brien, J Buckley, D Walsh;
C Cooper, P Geaney, J O’Donoghue.”
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We’re almost ready to go. Conditions will surely be central to how the game goes. It’s damp, the pitch will be greasy and footing will surely be affected. Anyway, the parade has started. And we’re very close!
Both coaches rocking the heavy-duty tracksuit and baseball-cap combo. The RTE cameras are doused with rain drops. It’s grey, overcast and a real soggy day at Croker. Here’s hoping the football will brighten things up.
1′ – AND WE’RE UNDERWAY!
Dublin 0-01 Kerry 0-00: And just 15 seconds gone it’s Fenton who points from distance after good work from Diarmuid Connolly. At the other end, Maher puts it wide.
3′ - And we’ve started frenetically here. Paddy Andrews does well down the right, pushing his way towards the end line before fizzing in a low ball across the square.
4′ – VERY CLOSE! Dean Rock is suddenly one-v-one with Kealy but the keeper makes a superb stop from close range. Dublin have been terrific in these opening exchanges but that’s a big early moment.
8′ – Dublin 0-02 Kerry 0-02: Rock taps over an easy free but will probably still be thinking of that missed goal chance. It was Bastick who created the space with a forward surge. Meanwhile, James O’Donoghue gets the Kingdom off the mark and they needed that from play. They’ve been second-best for the opening 8 minutes. Paul Geaney adds another one after a quick free works a treat.
Kerry are frustrating Dublin’s foundation though – that’s Cluxton’s kick-outs – and are pressuring them into going long. Just what the Kingdon want.
10′ - Kerry really should be in front but Buckley has kicked a poor wide from close in. Geaney tries his luck too, moments later, and it takes a touch on its way for a ’45.
And that’s a poor effort from O’Donoghue, stabbing the attempt low and wide. But moments later, another psychological edge gained by Kerry as Cluxton’s latest kick-out is plucked out of the air by a pair of Kerry hands.
Paddy Andrews has clashed with Anthony Maher and the Dubliner has come off second best. A heavy blow and he’s receiving treatment.
And that’s a fifth wide for Kerry inside the first 15 minutes and the game has turned scrappy here after a superb opening. Donncha Walsh the latest to miss the target.
Rock puts it wide for the Dubs after a neat build-up – Brogan changing the angle of the attack and laying-off to Rock bursting through at pace. Poor effort.
Dublin 0-02 Kerry 0-03: The Kingdom in front for the first time as Cooper creates for O’Donoghue and he has his second of the afternoon.
Dublin 0-03 Kerry 0-03: Rock sends over his second free of the game and we’re all-square again.
Dublin 0-04 Kerry 0-03: Dublin are getting a bit of joy in their right corner. The latest move sees Philly McMahon drive through and almost set up Kilkenny for a goal chance. Still, moments later, Dublin get a free and call Cluxton up to take it. He lands it. And they’re back in front.
As we mentioned, the greasy pitch isn’t helping the demonstration of football skills. Players are losing their footing so even the most simple of tasks are proving difficult occasionally. David Moran has put another effort wide and Kerry need to stop being so wasteful in front of goal.
BOOKING! The ball bounces away from Connolly as he tries to drive towards goal. But it’s Colm Cooper (who’s dropping really deep) who is there to pick up the loose one. Connolly slide tackles with his studs up to try and regain possession but only succeeds in catching Cooper. It’s very reckless and he’s booked. Conditions or not, that’s silly.
Dublin 0-04 Kerry 0-04: O’Donoghue picks it up wide right and does well to pick out Geaney inside. He shoots just before being clattered by two Dublin defenders and it’s over the bar. Still, he requires some treatment. Conditions getting worse, by the way.
Dublin 0-05 Kerry 0-04: Bernard Brogan does well to take control, when everyone is slipping and sliding and falling around him. Conditions playing havoc here but Dublin in front again and Brogan is up and running.
Colm Cooper chases a ball that’s about to bounce out of play and, for some bizarre reason, flings himself in the air in an attempt to, eh, try a bicycle kick? James McCarthy is right behind him, gets whalloped and crashes to the ground in a heap.
Dublin 0-06 Kerry 0-04: McCaffrey just about squeezes the ball over the bar – Kerry players want it to go to HawkEye but referee David Coldrick is happy with it. Dublin by two.
Dublin 0-07 Kerry 0-04: Arguably the best score of the game. It’s well-worked and Paddy Andrews knocks it over.
Kerry are really struggling to find any gaps in the Dublin defence and are being bundled up, hassled and harried. They have no answer and are probably desperate for the break here.
Dublin 0-08 0-04: And that’s huge for Dublin. It’s Philly McMahon who gets this – we mentioned him getting forward earlier on – and he’s scored in this final, the man he’s marking – Colm Cooper, hasn’t. That says plenty.
A chance right at the end of the half for Kilkenny to make it a five-point lead for Dublin. But he drops it short after Kerry cheaply gave away a free further out. Brogan did well and offloaded but his colleague in the Dublin attack couldn’t deliver a killer blow.
Dublin 0-08 Kerry 0-04 – AND THAT’S HALF-TIME!
Well, Kerry have struggled after initially doing well in reading Cluxton’s kick-outs and frustrating Dublin but as the half has gone on, Jim Gavin’s side have adapted much better to the game. They’ve taken the scores , Kerry have kicked a lot of wides and don’t have much in the way of creativity in the key attacking zones.
James McCarthy can jump very high.
From our man at Croker, Fintan O’Toole:
A double score lead looks huge in these testing conditions. Dublin took control in the second quarter and Kerry have plenty problems to contend with before the start of the second-half. Really difficult game to play in, it’s a lottery frequently trying to claim possession. Dublin in the driving seat though.”
Darran O’Sullivan is on for the second half here. Stephen O’Brien has made way. And Kevin McManaman is on for the Dubs. It could be Dean Rock who has made way.
WE’RE BACK UNDERWAY!
Dublin 0-08 Kerry 0-06: Well, a good start from the Kingdom as Lyne curls over an excellent score. Moments later, O’Sullivan – just introduced – whips over a magnificent point. That’s quite a response.
The other thing about Kerry getting scores is that they have Dublin’s number on their restarts. Cluxton again hit a poor kick-out after O’Sullivan’s point.
VERY CLOSE! Another goal chance for Dublin as Andrews bears down on goal and fires a shot that bounces just wide of the post. What an opportunity.
Dublin 0-09 Kerry 0-06: Bernard Brogan knocks over a free with Dean Rock having been replaced by McManaman. And another change for the Dubs – MDMA is on and Bastick makes way.
Dublin 0-09 Kerry 0-06: Cluxton is summoned to take on a difficult-looking free and it drops short. Kerry make a mess of clearing their lines and Paul Flynn puts it wide from a good position.
Another wide from Kerry as O’Donoghue takes it on from miles out and it drifts wide. Meanwhile, Bryan Sheehan is on for Buckley as Kerry call in the cavalry.
Dublin 0-10 Kerry 0-06: VERY CLOSE! Well, Flynn has tapped over a point but the big moment came just before it when Fenton ran through on goal and suddenly it all opened up. He seemed set to take his point but then decided to go for goal. The low shot smacked the post and what a let-off for Kerry. At the other end, Darran O’Sullivan drives a shot well wide. Kerry all over the place.
Dublin 0-10 Kerry 0-08: O’Donoghue turns and whips a left-footer over the bar and Kerry badly needed that. Meanwhile, Dublin have made another change as Fitzimmons is on for Cooper. But the big news is that Kieran Donaghy is off the bench for Kerry and there’s O’Sullivan who’s dropped another one over the bar. Well, they’re enjoying these quick two-point hits, aren’t they?
The changes keep coming here and John Small is in for Dublin and McCaffrey is off. That’s surely injury-related? Cluxton is being called up for Dublin again here and Donaghy gives him a little tip as he heads forward.
And that’s wide from Cluxton. You’d forgive Dublin for thinking ‘How are we just two points ahead?’
Brogan tries his luck but it’s high and wide. Kerry are still in this, have lived a charmed life on occasion and haven’t even started playing yet. And here comes Paul Galvin…
35-year-old Galvin comes in and it’s captain David Moran who makes way. Could Kerry do this? Where is the inspiration going to come from?
BLACK CARD! It’s Aidan O’Mahony who takes down McManaman and he’s gone. Paul Murphy is sprung from the bench. Another potential game-changer? Well, Brogan makes a mess of the subsequent free and it’s still a two-point game.
Dublin 0-11 Kerry 0-08: Darren Daly on for Cian O’Sullivan while Barry John Keane is on for Kerry – James O’Donoghue is off. Meanwhile, Paul Flynn knocks over for the Dubs and that’s his second of the game. Less than ten minutes to go.
BOOKING! McMahon has got a yellow after Coldrick is alerted to his, ahem, treatment of Colm Cooper. The referee has a word and dishes the card.
Big chance for Kerry from a placed ball but Bryan Sheehan puts it wide. A pretty central position and it drifted wide at the last minute. Is the game drifting away from his team here?
Dublin 0-12 Kerry 0-08: There’s your moment. At one end, Donaghy plays in Young who only has Cluxton to beat and he fumbles the ball in the slipper conditions with the goal gaping. Dublin get it forward and Alan Brogan – just after coming on – kicks a wonderful score.
Kerry can’t keep the ball and are conceding cheap frees in desperation. We’re mightily close to the 70th-minute and Dublin thoroughly deserve this, to be honest.
Kerry are furious that a penalty wasn’t awarded for a foul on Donaghy. We’ve just seen a replay here and he was dragged to the ground with no attempt to play the ball – in fact, the ball was still in the air.
Dublin 0-12 Kerry 0-09: Bryan Sheehan has tapped over a free and we’ve still got 2 minutes of injury time left.
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME!
DUBLIN ARE ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS!
Well, only one team deserved the victory. Dublin controlled things in what was an under-inspiring, weather-affected final, really.
Kerry never got going and were frustrated for long periods. They desperately hung in though – Dublin had a great goal chances in both halves but spurned them. In the end, it was a three-point game but easily could’ve been six, seven or even more such was Kerry’s inability to create anything of note.
It was scrappy but the Dubs will take home Sam for the third time in four years.
Thanks for staying with us throughout the afternoon. Plenty more reaction and analysis on its way this evening.
The greatest comeback of all time, unbelievable COYS-YAHOO
@Baz: Best Champions League I’ve ever witnessed!
@Baz: it’s weird but yes, this was a better achievement than Liverpool last night. Away from home needing 3 goals in second half.
@Beer Belly 0476: to spectate it is but when you reflect some of things that have happened are sad. Football is ruthless. I feel for Ajax
@Beer Belly 0476: not a single penalty shootout
@RJ: and no kane either
@Baz: I still don’t think anything will beat the Barcelona comeback vs PSG, but Liverpool and Spurs are giving them a run for their money!
@RJ: it was in me hole. Liverpool needed not only to score four, but also prevent barca from scoring a goal, and all without their two best players. Leave it out ffs
@RJ: error no. It wasn’t 4 goals needed against Barca. It was 3 against young fellas
@Tommy C: three to draw but four to win. And even with scoring four to win they still.needed to prevent barca from scoring. Funny , before the game barca were the best team in the world. After the game they were “just not as good as they used to be” etc. Goway. This was savage but Liverpool’s arguably the best champions league come back of all time. Some say it was barca vs psg but we all seen the diving and play acting in that match
@Willy Motley: Loads said this garbage l night, no one said this Barca were best in the world no one??? Where do u get these fantasy’s from overweight Suarez Messi past his prime rest of the team average incl coutinho who was a passenger….Spurs tonight was unreal 3 goals away in 45 mins without conceding another against everyone’s fav team who knocked out Real and Juve?????
@Dougal67: yeeeesss…..what a game….actually what a game times 2….
@Willy Motley: Yourself and the mentality of pretty much all Liverpool fans are the reason all neutrals will be hoping for a City victory at the weekend and a Spurs victory in the CL final.
@Willy Motley: ahh, Liverpool were at home. What happened in Barcelona, ahh let me see…
@RJ: who’s going to the final?
@Baz: including future time ?
Ajax won my heart and broke my heart
@Hirving Lozano: None of this Messi/Ronaldo shite. Origi/Llorente are generational talents
@Beer Belly 0476: not the time for funny comments. This is truly heartbreaking for Ajax
@Hirving Lozano: don’t worry I’ll get the violin out for you
@Johnny Ryan: it’s ok for you to say that. Imagine if Liverpool lost yesterday how you would have felt. Imagine how the Ajax players feel. Conceding* in the last minute. Ajax were the better team just didn’t take there chances that’s football
@Hirving Lozano: do you think Llorente is a joke?
@Hirving Lozano: are you seriously worried that ajax players will read these comments and have hurt feelings??
@Biscuits Patinkin: no what do you think melon
@Hirving Lozano: relax man, they’re professional footballers they’ll get over it
@Hirving Lozano: Ajax were very green, they should of shut up shop . They invited spurs onto them. Was gutted for Ajax myself but serious cohones shown by spurs this season
Fair play to Spurs. That was a real gutsy comeback, never thought it was on at half time. They’ll be tough to beat cos they don’t give up
@Seàn Mc: neither do Liverpool. As a Liverpool fan would’ve preferred Ajax.
35 min hat trick to put your team into the CL final. Unbelievable Jeff
2 epic comebacks in 2 days! Unbelievable.. roll on the June bank holiday
2 ot the greatest comebacks in champions league history on consecutive nights. Amazing. My faith in football has been restored.
@Damien: bang on fella. The last two nights, it doesn’t matter if you support the teams or not were a joy to watch.
@Damien: until the final goes to penalties
What is going on…
@Jack: Llorente. Llorente is going on.
@Jack: The Champions League never fails to provide! What a tournament.
I hope your man im the car didn’t get caught tonight watching the game
Arguably a better comeback than pool last night, and I’m a dyed in the wool Liverpool fan.
@BrianBoru: Sorry but no. Barca a more seasoned team.
@Simon Peters: They didn’t look it last night.Plus Spurs were away, Liverpool were at home .
@BrianBoru: Liverpool dominated a hugely decorated Barcelona. Ajax unlucky.
@Simon Peters: Barca are finished with a long time Simon. Look at last year
What a UCL tonight last night Turin x2 Paris the list goes on. Think it’s Liverpool to lose. Delighted for spurs spent nothing and are in A UCL final. The team is a team full of passion. Best of luck to both teams in final
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: cheers Ciaran
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: Paris?
@Beer Belly 0476: utd v psg 3-1
Never thought I’d want Liverpool to win the CL, but as an Arsenal fan here we are… #YNWA What a game though, all credit to Spurs what a comeback. Sport is unreal
My mighty spurs. Unbelievable!!!
I got that wrong fair play to spurs
@Scorpionvenomm: getting used to that aren’t ya!
@Scorpionvenomm: in fairness it’s not the first thing you have got wrong on the semi finals…..
@Johnny Ryan: I’d be worried if I was you
@Scorpionvenomm: what’s that supposed to mean
@Johnny Ryan: I’m guessing worried about losing in the final rather than overt death threat.
@Johnny Ryan: sounds like a threat against you and your personal safety
@John kane: I hope not lads. Getting worried that this big man wishes me harm
@Biscuits Patinkin: of course losing in the final lol
@Scorpionvenomm: I hope you don’t bet on football cause you’ve been getting most things wrong lately and spouting gick!! sad little worm .
And what do we say to AJAX? NOT TODAY! ;-)
Fair play to Spurs, that was class. But what were Ajax doing in injury time trying to score again when they could have ran the ball into the corner. Incredible naivety.
Good God, what a game.
Chelsea v Arsenal Europa League final and Liverpool v Spurs Champions League final. Funny considering all the hate on the premier league…
@Beer Belly 0476: the other 2 top 6 teams are from Manchester
@Beer Belly 0476: tell that to the moniker lad
@Beer Belly 0476: And the top team in the Premiership isn’t in either of the finals! Which title do you think Pep would like to win?
From a neutral point of view, i genuinely dont mind who wins. What a competition what a game
I was sure it was a Liverpool vs Ajax final at half time, unbelievable, I’m not going to either bother calling the final, an amazing two nights of football.
@Alan Brazil: I loved u as a player Brazza- good to see you’re alive and well chief
@Dec Gill: aboy Declan Trump … 2:1 to Liverpool in the final… if I am wrong I will do lap of Ahane GAA in the nip
Levy will celebrate by spending 0$ in the summer
Sad for Ajax, but that team is going to be dismantled over the summer anyway. Massive congrats to Spurs from a Liverpool fan, have an awful lot of time for The Poch.
@Orla Smith: more reason to be sorry for them surely, it was there one chance before best players leave
I will now become a Liverpool fan for one night.. And one night only. Please don’t let us down klopp and pool.
@Chonky Racoon: arsenal fan?
@Chonky Racoon: just shut up and appreciate the win
@Chonky Racoon: Not sure we want your kinda support – couple of days ago you were dead set against Liverpool. Maybe just support your own team…
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: yah.. can’t get much worse atm.. Can only hope Liverpool lift it 6 times and Arsenal end with silverware again and spurs zilch
@seancreaven13: this is different. I’m only bantering and on the wind up at times gone by.. I respect Liverpool as a club, its spurs, united and Chelsea that I really can’t stand
Have to say it’s a better comeback than last night. Spurs had to completely switch the momentum at half time unlike Liverpool last night. Pool fan
Incredible. Congratulations to all Spurs fans from a Liverpool fan. Hope the final isn’t both teams cancelling each other out due to over familiarity and a penalty shoot out.
Well done to spurs , serious 2 nd half , never say die attitude, can’t believe these 2 teams were on there knees in group stages in last match n now look at em , c ye in Madrid ;)
Well done Spurs, a class set of semi finals
@themansam:
It’s on now boy.
@Nollaig Elliot: for sure. You could say I’m looking forward to it
Madness. What a season and what a final potentially
Last night and tonight are the reasons it’s called “The Beautiful Game” Mad, crazy, fabulous etc etc
That ladies and gentlemen is why you don’t sing “Don’t worry” at half time
Wow just wow 2 nights in a row of some serious jaw dropping football, why we love the game
Move the game to Croker
@Sean Treacy: Newbridge or nowhere!
Men against boys
Teenagers against pre-teens.
@Biscuits Patinkin: pre-teens v toddlers
@Beer Belly 0476: toddlers v newborns
@Beer Belly 0476: foetuses v glints
Jez football ehh….what a couple of nights of football.!!!!!
Can see Liverpool winning the final fairly handy. They will hold no fear of Spurs whatsoever. Ajax would have been more of an unknown.
@Damien: it’s not going to be easy whatsoever. Go in with that mentality you usually lose
@Yorkie1892: I’m not lining out for Liverpool so my attitude shouldn’t affect them too much. I just feel that an injury free liverpool team are too strong for Spurs.
@Damien: I thought City would steamroll Spurs in the quarters, look how that went. I’d have thought that after the last two nights’ football you’d realise that there are no certainties in football!
@Stephen Lyons: it’s far from a certainty. Just my opinion. I’ve been wrong once or twice before.
@Damien: can see spurs winning the final fairly handy .they will hold no fear of Liverpool whatsoever .Barcelona would have been much more of an unknown
@Dec Gill: Fair point, but if you were a betting man. Would you back a team that have lost 13 league games this season, or a team which have lost 1. Spurs can put in a good performance now and again. But overall are too inconsistent. You don’t know which spurs will turn up on the night.
@Dec Gill: stick to the horses declan
Barca comeback Vs PSG was good but it had diving Neymar throwing himself around like the blatant cheat he is, and a terrible ref. Last two nights were far more affecting for football in general.
Unbelievable stuff. Never thought I’d see us in a Champions League Final. Mental game.
Ah here!!
Tottenham have the opportunity to finish second in a major competition. What a wonderful achievement. In fairness they did well tonight but it’s Liverpool’s to lose.
Didn’t seem too much with Kane after the goal, should defo be playing in the final
The Champions League Final contested by two teams who aren’t champions in their own league. Give me the old European Cup any day.
Miracle number 3 on Sunday, Brighton beat City??
congrats to spurs, would have preferred Ajax in the final, tough one to call with the pressure being on Liverpool in final, spurs nothing to lose. let’s hope it’s a great match like the semis. ynwa
@zillas: spurs…nothing to lose? A bug final perhaps?
Don’t support either team but great game for the neutral. Watched and listened to the pundits. No one mentioned how tadic, brilliant for them this season and eldest, most experienced at 92.32 mins tried to bend it in the corner from 17 yards? Had the defender ends up could habe switched ran towards the corner for applause.
Premier League teams in the most competitive league in the world proving to the world that being 4th place doesnt mean your a weak side. Great to see Premier League teams putting their stamp on Europe again. All English final hasn’t been seen since United vs Chelsea in ’08. Thankfully we got a second go in 2012 to win a title.
Yeeeees !!! Whst a comeback what a match.. what a goal right at the death..!! Cant believe how good the spurs second choice players have been, I mean Son and Moura and Lorenta only figure if the main man is injured, and yet look how many goals they’ve scored between them.. but I have to say Lucus Moura was better than Messi when Spurs played Barcelona earlier in the campaign even though spurs lost those games.. everyone thinks Liverpool have it in the bag.. Spurs already beat the best team in England Man city so now on to the second best Liverpool ! But seriously this just goes to show all the money in the world can only get you so far, but when you play against teams with sole and belief like Liverpool and Spurs you better not take anything for granted or your end up with nothing but a huge wage bill.. good night and God bless…