Dublin are the new All-Ireland champions.
The major talking point of the first half, apart from a brilliant goal from Lee Keegan, was the black card rule. Dublin's John Small was lucky to stay on the pitch after tripping Andy Moran early on but Jonny Cooper was then sent to the sideline for a very similar offence on Donal Vaughan. Keegan then saw the line for pulling down Diarmuid Connolly when it looked like Connolly was through on goal, and a horrible day for Robbie Hennelly was capped with a black card for bringing Paddy Andrews down.
Punters weren't happy with the rule/Maurice Deegan's application of it, with Ireland rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll making a suggestion on how to address the issue.
The GAA need the sin bin instead of the black card. You want the best players playing the big games, Dublin bias aside.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 1, 2016
The two best defenders today gone because the #blackcard is the way forward 🤔🙈
— ciaran mckeever (@cmckeever6) October 1, 2016
Don't blame refs.This bull shit rule is in place?impossible to distinguish what is & what isn't no point moaning.so far cracking final ??
— Eoin Cadogan (@cads3) October 1, 2016
There was an interesting reaction from the Dublin GAA official account to Keegan receiving a black card.
All-Ireland Final: Hey Lee Keegan#COYBIB #DUBvMAYO @AIGIreland pic.twitter.com/ATF8A9cd2a
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) October 1, 2016
SEE ALSO: There Is Serious Annoyance About Referee Maurice Deegan's Use Of The Black Card
Diarmuid Connolly slotted the penalty resulting from Hennelly's foul on Andrews, but Mayo fought gamely back, only for Dublin, with three points from Cormac Costello helping Dublin to victory.
Heartbreak for Mayo, glory for Dublin.
As enjoyable, emotional and exciting as it was, won by Dublin's depth which brings us back to same scientific and number-based issues. #GAA
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 1, 2016
Pretty heartbreaking stuff for Mayo there - why a fantastic match. Those guys are proper athletes. @officialgaa
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) October 1, 2016
Up the Dubs! Brilliant play by @DubGAAOfficial becoming 2 weight Champions! @MayoGAA were worthy adversaries #DUBvMAYO #AllIrelandFinal
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) October 1, 2016
Worse than 1996
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) October 1, 2016
That was some fight - literally at times. Huge effort & respect Mayo.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 1, 2016
Champions again ?#DUBvMAYO #champions
— Paddy Holohan (@PaddyHolohanMMA) October 1, 2016
Queue the Dub fans gloating about how they won despite attempts to cheat them with the extra time and frees at the end #DUBvMAYO
— Aidan O'Mahony (@AidanOMahony) October 1, 2016
SEE ALSO: Watch: Joe Brolly Reveals That The Mayo Curse Has Been Lifted
