Dublin through to NFL Division 1 final

Dublin will meet rivals Kerry in this year’s NFL division 1 final after a comprehensive 10 point win over Donegal in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Source: Dublin GAA via Facebook

The dubs controlled the encounter from start to finish, and when Bernard Brogan found the net in the second half, the tie was all but decided.

Donegal started the game the slower of the two teams, which allowed the men from the capital to gain a foothold which they ultimately never lost. Dean Rock kicked a nice point early on, one of his five throughout the game and by the 11th minute Dublin were 3 points to the good.

Donegal managed to compose themselves and cut the deficit to just one point midway through the second half, but their lack of firepower from multiple scorers let them down. Michael Murphy and Paddy McBrearty kicked 12 of their sides 13 points in the 70 minutes.

Dublin stretched their lead to five points by the start of the second half of action, and they never looked back from there. Stephen Cluxton again exercised why he is such a lethal asset to this Dublin side with an exhibition in kick-outs which gave Dublin a platform to attack.

Philly McMahon again showed the freedom this Dublin side have been allowed to play with, as it was his run and pass from the corner back position which found Brogan for the only goal of the game.

Ciaran Kilkenny put in a man of the match display from wing forward in the absence of St. Vincent’s man Diarmuid Connolly. Dublin tallied 11 different scorers in all, including a nice score from Peregrines man Eric Lowndes, who will looking to gain a starting spot with the absence of 2015 Player of the Year Jack McCaffrey.

Dublin will be looking for their fourth NFL title in as many seasons, but Kerry will be no walkovers. Its 29 years since the two faced in a NFL final, and the Kingdom will be looking to put down a marker heading into the championship.    

By Jack Maguire