The only thing that’s missing from this tale of two of the greatest is Mayo’s success.
They’re probably, almost definitely, the best side to never win an All-Ireland.
They are perfect adversaries for the myth-like Dubs and, whatever recent history has taught us, you’d tune in every day of the week, every hour of the day to watch Mayo in an All-Ireland final and you’d give them a chance too.
The pair are becoming the modern day version of the great Kerry and Dubs rivalry but the only caveat is one of them is still without glory for what will be 66 years now.
And, still, even in the imbalance, even with one of them having now clinched four All-Irelands in the last six years – the other losing three finals and three semis – Mayo and Dublin are the giants of Ireland and, when they collide, the whole of the island feels its vibrations.
Two of the best managers pitted two of the best teams against one another in two of the best finals and, as much as the word is overused now, it was a two-round epic.
In the end, after 140 minutes, it was Dublin who edged it with one point to spare.
Here’s how the players fared on the second and decisive day out.
MAYO
Rob Hennelly: Costly.
Brendan Harrison: Harassing.
Patrick Durcan: Downtown.
Keith Higgins: Savage.
Lee Keegan: Compromised.
Colm Boyle: Frothing.
Kevin McLoughlin: Everywhere.
Donal Vaughan: Concussed.
Tom Parsons: Occupied.
Seamus O’Shea: Ram.
Diarmuid O’Connor: Flashy.
Jason Doherty: Peripheral.
Aidan O’Shea: Hounded.
Andy Moran: Reliable.
Cillian O’Connor: Swallowed.
Subs
Stephen Coen: Steady.
Conor O’Shea: Direct.
David Clarke: Screwed.
Barry Moran: Pointless.
Alan Dillon: Late.
DUBLIN
Stephen Cluxton: Relaxed.
Philly McMahon: Behaved.
Jonny Cooper: Premature.
Michael Fitzsimons: Unbelievable.
James McCarthy: Prisonerless.
Cian O’Sullivan: Peerless.
John Small: Merciless.
Brian Fenton: Terminator.
Paul Flynn: Waning.
Diarmuid Connolly: Cucumber.
Paul Mannion: Substitute.
Ciaran Kilkenny: Purpose.
Paddy Andrews: Grand.
Kevin McManamon: Bull.
Dean Rock: Bullseye.
Subs
Davy Byrne: Calm.
Bernard Brogan: Manic.
Michael Darragh MacAuley: Rampage.
Cormac Costello: Heartthrob.
Eric Lowndes: Energy.
Darragh Daly: Trusted.
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