Dublin finish strong to defeat Kerry in clash of the titans

After a two-year hiatus, Dublin are All-Ireland champions again, finishing with a flourish against Kerry to claim yet another title.

In an often frantic encounter, late points from the influential Paul Mannion and a free from Dean Rock saw Dessie Farrell's side home by two points.

While the Dublin attack finally found its groove in the second half, the victory was built on a superb defensive display, in particular the venerable Michael Fitzsimons, who frustrated Kerry's star man David Clifford, restricting him to two points from play.

It was fitting that Fitzsimons was one of the chief heroes of the win, the Cuala player one of the history-making trio alongside Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy, each collecting an unprecedented ninth All-Ireland SFC title.

Kerry led by the minimum at the end of a frenetic first half in which both sets of forward lines fluffed their lines more than had been anticipated.

Paul Geaney's smartly taken goal on the stroke of first half injury-time – the first goal Dublin had conceded in eight games – to give the reigning champions a 1-04 to 0-06 lead.

Kerry briefly stretched their lead out to three points midway through the second half before some careless passing at the back allowed Cormac Costello set up Paddy Small to level the encounter.

Momentum swung to and fro for the remainder of the match, both sides running the bench, Mannion coming to the fore for the Dubs, Paudie Clifford for Kerry.

Kerry levelled the game at 1-13 apiece on the stroke of injury time but there was a sense that Dublin were playing with more conviction.

The critical score arrived on 72 minutes. Dean Rock's shot was pushed away by the fingertips of Ryan, Basquel picked up the loose ball, spun around a couple of times in a brief