Small goal makes big difference

Adam Moynihan reports from Croke Park, Dublin

Fight

This final had been billed as a bout between two prize heavyweight fighters but the opening exchanges offered little by way of haymakers.

ter 35 minutes and appeared to be in control, but an unfortunate turnover by Gavin White gifted Colm Basquel an opportunity to send Small clear.

again with a free but Mannion burst through to give Dublin the all-important lead in the 74th minute.

A 46th-minute goal by Paddy Small helped Dublin to turn the tide and overcome Kerry in the 2023 All-Ireland football final at Croke Park on Sunday. The Kingdom led by three points before Small’s deflected shot wrongfooted Shane Ryan and although they responded well by reopening their three-point advantage, the defending champions ceded control in the final quarter.

Jack O’Connor’s men ran out of steam offensively after that post-goal spurt as four straight points at the other end gave Dublin a late lead.

Poor execution in front of the posts was fatal as far as Kerry were concerned. Dublin held on to claim their ninth All-Ireland in 13 years.

With the rain pouring down and neither defence in generous form, scores were difficult to come by. Kerry had managed just four points to Dublin’s six with the half-time whistle looming, but then a majestic assist by David Clifford from the corner flag to the danger zone teed up Paul Geaney for the game’s opening goal.

Geaney had missed an earlier opportunity and he looked to have fumbled this one too but to his credit he recovered and converted to send Kerry in two points to the good.

The game opened up a little in the second half as points by David Clifford (two), Paudie Clifford and Paul Geaney helped Kerry to manufacture some breathing space. They led by three af-

Small’s low shot was partially blocked by Paul Murphy but the block diverted the ball into the ground and up into the top right-hand corner, completely deceiving Ryan in the Kerry goal. In an instant, Hill 16 – and the All-Ireland final – burst into life.

Paudie

In fairness to Kerry, they handled the goal well and three points on the bounce by Seánie O’Shea and the excellent Paudie Clifford (two) re-established their three-point cushion. But Dublin had the belief to peg them back again and scores by Man of the Match Paul Mannion (two), Basquel and Brian Fenton made it 1-12 to 1-11 with five minutes of normal time to play. Substitute Killian Spillane equalised with a super point in the 66th minute before Small edged Dublin back in front a minute later. Seánie O’Shea levelled matters

Kerry had chances to at least force extra time when the game was in the mixer but ultimately a free by Dean Rock secured the title for Dublin.

KERRY: S Ryan; G O’Sullivan, J Foley, T O’Sullivan; P Murphy, T Morley, G White; D O’Connor, J Barry; D Moynihan, S O’Shea (0-5, 4f), S O’Brien; P Clifford (0-3), D Clifford (0-3, 2f), P Geaney (1-1).

Subs: B Ó Beaglaoich for Murphy; M Burns for O’Brien; A Spillane for Moynihan; K Spillane (0-1) for Geaney; M Burns for Barry.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton (0-2f); E Murchan, M Fitzsimons, D Byrne; B Howard (01), J Small, L Gannon; B Fenton (0-2), J McCarthy; P Small (1-1), P Mannion (0-5, 1f), C Kilkenny; C Costello (0-1f), C O’Callaghan, C Basquel (0-2).

Subs: J McCaffrey for Gannon; N Scully for Kilkenny; S McMahon for Howard; C Murphy for Murchan; D Rock (0-1) for P Small.