Dublin 1-17 Mayo 1-16: Dublin player ratings

Ian O’Riordan assesses the Dublin performances as history is made at Croke Park

1. Stephen Cluxton

Occasionally decoded by Mayo in the first half, with some self dismantling to go with it. Produced a game-defining save in the second half, getting in front of Jason Doherty's shot on 43 minutes, even if it was sent into his flight path. Perfect kick-out rate thereafter and never broke the glass on the panic button. Rating 8

2. Philly McMahon

Looked stretched in the first half and a little nervy too, Mayo's sheer physicality not easily handled. Settled down after that, drawing on his calmness and experience and yes mouth, also making one standout block in injury time as Mayo desperately sought the winner. Rating 8

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3. Cian O’Sullivan

Caught for pace and positioning in the carnage of Mayo's first half onslaught, Kevin McLoughlin taking him for one; settled into his more comfortable rhythm after that and played more on his terms. A little subdued by his own standards, which now boasts a fifth All-Ireland medal. Rating 7

4. Michael Fitzsimons

Won his first ball in front of Andy Moran then got turned inside out for the next few, conceding the late free to Cillian O'Connor which may have cost dearly only for the upright to intervene. Still the most reliable go-to man to for Cluxton's kick-outs. Rating 7

5. Jonny Cooper

Frustrated early on by the Mayo attacking instinct, tracking back more than he would have liked, and nothing he could have done about Lee Keegan's goal. Stuck to his task with usual layer of irritability and creative stubbornness. Rating 7

6. John Small

Showed up and won some critical ball into the stormy first 30 minutes, his attacking point on 25 minutes hugely important. Booked just minutes after that, then again on 47 minutes for the late hit on Colm Boyle, and so ended his game. Rating 7

7. Jack McCaffrey (not on long enough, injuring his left knee after five minutes, and replaced by Paul Flynn)

Reports of Flynn's flying form in training appear to have been slightly exaggerated, as he struggled with the pace of the game, miscuing his one clear shot at goal in the first half. Replaced by Bernard Brogan on 65 minuutes. Rating 6

8. Brian Fenton

The 2015 final man-of-the-match looked a little out of sorts in the first half, then forced his way into the game, kicking a brilliant point on 51 minutes, conducting the play with increasing authority from there. Thumped the ground in delight on the final whistle and deservedly so. Rating 8

9. James McCarthy

Seemed slightly rattled in the hum of the first half and then took centre stage in the second, firing over two brilliant points when Dublin needed them most and giving Aidan O'Shea a few lessons in physicality. An all round man-of-the-match performance. Rating 9

10. Ciarán Kilkenny

Declared mostly null and void by Lee Keegan, despite his all-conquering display against Tyrone in the semi-final, which every possession was won with ease. No such joy here, his black card at the death the final summation of a game that passed him by. Rating 6

11. Con O’Callaghan

Set the game alight on 90 seconds with his skinning of Colm Boyle and cool finish past David Clarke, even if seemingly over-stepping it. All-Ireland final debuts don't start better than that, and although not much else fell his way, the goal alone will be talked about for years. Rating 8

26. Eoghan O’Gara

The inevitable late replacement for Niall Scully, threw his size around early on before looking increasing dazed, his temperament tested too. Kicked an important point on 15 minutes then drifted away completely, replaced by Kevin McManamon at half time. Rating 6

13. Paul Mannion

Found himself a little outmuscled early on, run into the ground a few times by Paddy Durcan, his persistence then rewarded with three points by the end, none more crucial than when Mayo had briefly pulled two clear, on 63 minutes. Rating 8

14. Paddy Andrews

Normally Mr Reliable on big game day, looked vacant and distant in the first half, struggling to get on the ball and conceding more than his fair share too. Replaced by Diarmuid Connolly at half-time. Rating 6

15. Dean Rock

Solid as a . . . Despite misfiring his first two placed balls, sending his first shot at goal short, held his ground and his nerve and then stepped up for the winner - his 40-metre free into the Davin End on 76 minutes ultimately sealing Dublin's three-in-a-row. Finished with 0-7, four from play. Anything else? Rating 8

Manager: Jim Gavin

It certainly wasn't the safest of landings but in guiding Dublin home to their first three-in-a-row since the 1920s it is another mission brilliantly accomplished for Jim Gavin. Rating 9

Substitutes

Diarmuid Connolly and Kevin McManamon certainly settled Dublin in the second half, both adding from play at crucial times. Bernard Brogan set up McCarthy for a point, and had his own shot blocked, the late cameo for Cormac Costello mostly psychological. Rating 8

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics