There was a ripple of excitement spreading throughout the country all this week. It grew and gained momentum until a wave of energy burst onto the pitch from the stands at the start of the All-Ireland final. Anticipation levels were at an absolute peak. And the game didn't disappoint.
As usual, the Sunday World's Roy Curtis was in poetic mood as every county except Dublin and Galway looked set to cheer on Mayo in their effort to win a first All-Ireland since 1951.
Thunder cracks across the Drumcondra universe.
Croker, electric, in ferment, an undammable cathedral.
The greatest of days.#DUBvMAYO #GAA— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) September 18, 2016
Quite unbelievably, for most of the first half Dublin didn't even score, two own goals from Mayo keeping them in the game and leading to their five-point half time lead.
😂😂we don't even need to score Mayo are doing it for us #DUBvMAYO
— Paddy Holohan (@PaddyHolohanMMA) September 18, 2016
It wasn't Jim McGuinness that visited the @MayoGAA last week, it was Richard Dunne. #DUBvMAYO
— Declan (@declanweir) September 18, 2016
"Two own goals?" pic.twitter.com/MZr4ZNqDmz
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 18, 2016
How times have changed. A "fashion" brand dressing a team for a half time TV ad on #AllIrelandFinal day. First they laugh at you......
— paul galvin (@pgal10) September 18, 2016
But, apart from Mayo's misfortune, the main talking point was the black card rule - notably the decision not to give cards to Michael Darragh MacCauley and McManamon for borderine challenges but then send James McCarthy to the line just before half time. There was widespread frustration with the seeming inconsistent application of the rule.
Black cards are a load of balls
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) September 18, 2016
It was an insane last ten minutes...a draw looked on the cards.
Draw nailed on here . #AllIrelandFinal
— paul galvin (@pgal10) September 18, 2016
What a game this Irish football is!!! Dublin v Mayo .
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) September 18, 2016
And, just when it looked certain that there was to be more heartbreak for Mayo, Cillian O'Connor, hit a brilliant point to secure an incredible draw in the dying seconds of the game.
Yaaaaaaaa!!!!! C''mon Mayo!!!! #DUBvMAY
— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) September 18, 2016
Are the @officialgaa happy with that?
— jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) September 18, 2016
Croke park HQ pic.twitter.com/WaI9D9hkXz
— Cillian Sheridan (@CillianSheridan) September 18, 2016
Why did Connolly shoot from that sideline with 40 secs left? Play it short, retain possession & Dubs are lifting Sam
— Philip Jordan (@PhilipJordan7) September 18, 2016
They've got to do it all again!!!? Bloody hell! That was exciting stuff. #DUBvMAYO
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) September 18, 2016
What a game. Fair play to both teams. #DUBvMAYO
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) September 18, 2016
Pleased with a draw because we won't be that poor next week!
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) September 18, 2016
Former Liverpool player Didi Hamann was so impressed with the game, he's looking for a replay ticket.
What a game that was, great effort by both teams. Let's try to get a ticket sorted for the replay #DUBvMAYO
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) September 18, 2016
