Dublin are looking for their first All-Ireland Football Championship title since 2020, and today's dominant win over Mayo showed that they are perhaps in their best shape since the six-in-a-row glory days.
With players such as Stephen Cluxton, Paul Mannion, and Jack McCaffrey now back in the fold after taking breaks from playing with their county, there was a feeling of 'the band being back together' at Croke Park this afternoon.
This feeling was made stronger by the superb performances from James McCarthy and Brian Fenton in midfield, and even Dean Rock scoring a lovely point after coming off the bench.
On The Sunday Game this evening, Peter Canavan felt that Dublin's third quarter, where they completely blitzed Mayo after half-time, was very similar to the type of dominance we were used to seeing from the six-in-a-row team.
In fairness to Mayo they made a great contribution in the first-half to what was a very entertaining first-half of football, and very open.
But at half-time today in the debate among the boys, Tomás said we're not sure of this Dublin team because you can't really compare them to the great Dublin team.
Well in the second-half they had all the hallmarks of the great Dublin team that won six in-a-row.
Peter Canavan Heaps Praise On Dublin
'They had all the hallmarks of the great Dublin team that won six in a row' - Peter Canavan lavishes praise on Dessie Farrell's side after the impressive win over Mayo #sundaygame #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/wDiexCkCV2
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 2, 2023
READ HERE: McStay Stays Positive For Mayo Team In It For The 'Long Haul' Despite Heavy Dublin Defeat
"They were ruthless," continued Canavan.
"Their first seven attacks at the start of the second-half, six shots, six scores. There was a physicality and aggression around the middle. How often have you seen, you know it's been awhile since we've seen Brian Fenton as aggressive and as motivated for a game as he was in that second-half.
"And the way they disposed of Mayo, the game was virtually over after ten to fifteen minutes of the second-half. That was a massive statement. That wasn't a bad Mayo team that went out there today, they were well in it at half-time.
"But, as I say, Dublin are moving in the right direction."
SEE ALSO: Tomás Ó Sé Was Keen To Dismiss Myth Of This Mayo Team After Dublin Loss
