GAA:I SAID on Saturday that it was now or never for Dublin to prove what they were made of. Turns out it was now.

Their intent right from the throw-in was ferociously impressive. The opportunities they created, at ease, is a criticism of Tyrone’s defensive tactics as they clearly focused on containing Bernard Brogan, on the premise that Diarmuid Connolly wouldn’t come of age as an elite intercounty forward. Connolly found space by his willingness to make the hard runs and then he delivered with a scoring return not seen from him before at this level.

It was great from Dublin’s point of view, not to be over-dependant on Bernard or Alan Brogan, although both kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second half. A new level of quality was attained by the starting Dublin forwards. The Tyrone backs were placed in a near impossible task by their movement but also the kick passing and handling on display. It was a step up from anything I have seen from Pat Gilroy teams or any Dublin side in modern era.

This was some achievement considering the slippery, wet conditions. They have stepped up immeasurably since the Wexford game.

I also noticed a big gulf in fitness levels between both teams. Guys like Paul Flynn, young James McCarthy and Cian O’Sullivan really stood out. O’Sullivan looks like a great player while Flynn is a genuine athlete who has dramatically improved his footballing skills.

It was the pace of these men and others that crushed Tyrone. Couple that with the lack of snap in the Tyrone legs. The qualifier run and possibly even last weekend’s victory over Roscommon may have drained them. Or maybe they are simply a team in transition.

Dublin won most of the 50-50 battles for possession. They were fronting their men all over the pitch. This was glaringly obvious around midfield where they either gathered clean possession or scooped up the breaks.

Unusually, Stephen Cluxton’s kick-outs were sent long but it worked because he knew the ball would be gathered by a blue jersey over halfway.

Cluxton also made a crucial interception halfway through the second-half because only a goal was going to get Tyrone back into this match.

They did concede several frees when Tyrone, more in desperation, began driving through the middle of them but such was the advantage on the scoreboard that it didn’t really matter. Still, it is a small area of concern if we are to nit-pick on what was otherwise an exceptional Dublin performance.

They were willing to give up late points rather than allow a goal to galvanise their opponents. The only fear was a second yellow card for a defender. But they defended extremely well when it really mattered by winning their individual battles. All of them.

When two quality football teams meet, as happened on Saturday night, it tends to come down to hunger. Dublin were seven points hungrier than Tyrone. This was evident in the support play by Dublin players. There was always two or three options for the runner in possession.

It was relentless until a slight flattening in the last 10 minutes when they knew they had won it. And this a Tyrone trademark for so many seasons now.

Flynn was like a younger version of Brian Dooher with the amount of ground he covered. His contribution never waned for 65 minutes. Usually he is replaced earlier but the extra 10 minutes was reward for the influence he was having on the contest. There will be an expectation on him to contribute two or three points every game as well.

I believe we will see Tyrone back at this stage next year. It will just be a younger, less familiar group of players. We know from watching them at minor level that there is a conveyor belt of quality coming through.

The challenge now for Mickey Harte, as we noticed this season, is to integrate them into an ageing team and ensure the right balance come championship. The National League will see more changes in personnel for them.

For Dublin, it is the same old story. The hype will start now. It is unavoidable. People peering in at this performance will begin to trust them again. Gilroy has a big job just to keep feet on the ground. They haven’t achieved their goal yet.

It is important to keep a sense of perspective because Tyrone, I have to say, weren’t the force of previous years. Overall, they looked a tired team. Dublin did what was expected of them and did it well. Nothing more.

Gilroy does have the benefit of a strong squad to choose from. There is a panellist in every position straining at the leash to become a starter. It should make for some healthy training matches in the coming weeks.

This is important because the next challenge will be very different, yet equally taxing. Donegal will give them nothing.

But we have seen that this Dublin team don’t expect to be in an All-Ireland final by right; they know it must be earned.

This was a step up from anything I’ve seen from Dublin in the modern era but Pat Gilroy knows that his side haven’t achieved their true goal yet