Dublin manager Jim Gavin felt his sides strength in depth carried them over the line to capture a first Allianz Football League Division 1 title, before 33,134 spectators at Croke Park this afternoon.

Four times his side went behind during the second half, but scores from Dean Rock and Jack McCaffrey ensured the Dineen Terrace (Hill 16) was set alight at the full-time whistle.

"Everybody had their part to play and it was a great team performance. The game ebbed and flowed so many times but our guys showed great heart and great resolve," Gavin said.

"Tyrone had many chances, probably as much as we did and we were probably a bit lucky in the end that ours went over and their's didn't.

"There is a character in the team, I knew it was there, and it is good to see it come out in the closing stages."

With nine league games behind them, seven wins, one draw and one defeat; Dublin have certainly set the ground running this year.

Gavin says having another competitive game with Championship football looming was the perfect way to end a busy league campaign.

"We had nine games in the campaign and some of them we closed out with time to spare so it was great championship preparation," he said.

"No disrespect to the league, it has been very good to us and I think in general it's been a very good league anyway, but in terms of preparation it is great to see how our players would react.

"There is a great character and a great energy (within our squad). It is only when you go down the home straight like that do you see if they really want it.

"Today, they certainly did that, but Tyrone had a good few chances as well and some of them if they had gone over could have put a different result on the board.

"Tyrone will be back. They are probably in the same cycle that we are so they will have a big say where the Sam Maguire goes this year." Tweet

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