Dublin reclaimed the All-Ireland senior football championship title this afternoon thanks to a 1-15 to 1-13 victory over old rivals Kerry at Croke Park.

Paddy Small’s goal on 46 minutes came at the perfect time for the capital men as it wiped away the holders’ lead and they came with a late push which eventually saw points from Paul Mannion and Dean Rock (free) sealing their 31st Sam Maguire Cup success.

In what were soaking wet conditions at headquarters, defences were on top for large portions as the opening 35 minutes failed to produce the spectacle anticipated.

Despite some missed chances, Dessie Farrell’s side had held a 0-6 to 0-4 lead in first-half injury-time before being hit with a sucker-punch goal on the eve of the interval.

David Clifford, who was far off his brilliant best in this decider, put Paul Geaney through with a perfectly weighed pass from the end line and the Dingle sharpshooter held his nerve to fire past Stephen Cluxton and give the Munster champions the slenderest of leads at the break (1-4 to 0-6).

Brian Howard levelled the game for Dublin a minute into the resumption ahead of points from David Clifford (free), Paudie Clifford and Geaney pushing the Kingdom three in front for the first time.

Jack O’Connor’s men looked the more likely side at that point but disaster hit them when a fantastic turnover from Colm Basquel inside his own half led to him sending Small through for a deflected goal.

It was very much ‘Game On’ after that and, while Kerry got themselves three up again, Basquel and Mannion (2, 1 free) were able to erase those scores and Dublin eventually hit the front through Brian Fenton’s point with six minutes to go.

Killian Spillane and Small traded points while Kerry captain Clifford blazed an angled goal opportunity wide of the post before it was brought back for a close range free that Sean O’Shea tapped as the decider ticked into injury-time.

The Leinster champions pushed forward in the added minutes and, after an initial opportunity for Basquel looked to have gone by the wayside, they got a second chance at it that saw Mannion blazing over and a late trademark free from substitute Rock put the seal on their first All-Ireland crown since 2020’s six-in-a-row triumph.

Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Dublin v Kerry in the 2023 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final here on #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/uFRyH0HgHH

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 30, 2023

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