While conceding that Kerry deserved their victory, Dublin manager Dessie Farrell was nevertheless "tremendously proud" after seeing a second-half surge from his team fall narrowly short in an epic All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park this afternoon.

The twelve-in-a-row Leinster champions found themselves five points down at half-time, but a Cormac Costello goal helped them to get back on level terms by the 69th minute. However, Farrell's side were agonisingly beaten by a last-gasp Sean O'Shea free at the Hill 16 end.

"We were in a sticky situation at half-time," Farrell said when speaking to the RTÉ's Sunday Game following the 1-14 to 1-13 defeat.

"We come out and then Kerry got the next score and we were six down, but I'm tremendously proud of the effort. As we know from down through the years, there are some warriors in that dressing room, but the group has changed dramatically over the last couple of years.

"All the new young players that we've brought in have bought in. So many of them wore their heart on their sleeve today, and that's all you can ask for.

"Hats off to Kerry. They're a great team, a coming team, and deserved their victory on the day."

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