The Kingdom come but the capital stands.
It was a battle for the ages, Kerry and Dublin.
The two finest counties down through the history of Gaelic football, the two proudest natives, the best of enemies went toe to toe, blow for blow in an all-out war on Sunday and only inches separated them.
Bodies were bruised, blood was spilled and 83,000 spectators were left drooling on the edge of their seats witnessing a classic unfold. It wasn’t just a place in the All-Ireland final at stake. Pride was on the line. Hatred was in the air.
When all was said and done though, the fiercest of rivals brought the best out of one another. The champions were forced to plummet the well to find the answers and prove their worth and Kerry were forced to accept that their best simply wasn’t good enough – because their best was what they brought.
Kerry didn't lose this match, Dublin won it. https://t.co/LR8RiqUASt
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 28, 2016
How could they not respect each other after that titanic clash?
And, in the aftermath as Gaels tried to catch their breaths, the players and ex players did their damnedest to sum it all up.
Bernard Brogan led the nod of respect to the most decorated county in Ireland.
Proud day to be a dub, great effort from the lads, hard luck to Kerry, massive respect for a great team! #coybib pic.twitter.com/lmGK53jOy9
— Bernard Brogan (@bernardbrogan) August 28, 2016
James McCarthy returned and didn’t Kerry just feel it. But the Ballymun man, too, respects the enemy.
Great to back with the lads today what a game credit to Kerry! Onto the next game #Upthedubs
— James McCarthy (@JamesyMac26) August 28, 2016
What a game and what rivals, just ask Paul Flynn.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJqTe5Kjriu/
Diarmuid Connolly paid tribute to the supporters. God knows they needed them on Sunday.
16th man #Hill16isDublinOlny pic.twitter.com/qWtlMQM0ma
— – (@dermoc123) August 28, 2016
This image summed it all up.
Epic game of football.!! Tough battle to say the least. #respect pic.twitter.com/bktwmgCo3I
— Dean Rock (@Deanrock14) August 28, 2016
But Brian Fenton was just happy for Ciaran Whelan’s dress sense.
thank god you have someone to dress you Whelo, make you look half decent
— Brian Fenton (@BrianFenton08) August 28, 2016
Even the Kerry legends could pay respect to the Dubs.
What a game. Fair due to dubs they went for it and got it. Best game of ball I've seen in a long time. #eirgaa
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) August 28, 2016
But this is how much it meant.
Kerry's Aidan O'Mahony sheds a tear after today's game. 5 All Ireland's, 3 allstars, great servant to Kerry. pic.twitter.com/aBAsw8pQiQ
— Brendan Moran (@sportsfilebren) August 28, 2016
They’ll be back. They never go away.
https://twitter.com/TadhgKennelly/status/770025700996812800
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