Funny business the old GAA. Always a funny business. On the day when Croke Park rocks and shakes, when footballs gets its groove back, the association decides to introduce a new method of dealing with the press after matches, writes Tom Humphries at Croke Park

We'd love to bring you the words and thoughts of new heroes like Alan Brogan and Ray Cosgrove. We'd love to speak to Johnny McNally about what it's like to be made redundant on Friday evening and win your first Leinster medal on Sunday afternoon, we'd love to spread Paddy Christie across a headline or two, but these conversations were closed off to us. We got what was brought to the press room and nothing else.

Never mind. There is good fun in Tommy Lyons at the worst of times and sheer exuberance in him at the best.

"Aw lads," he said the enthusiasm pouring from him still, "that was some occasion in Croke Park. If there's a better gig in this country than Gaelic football in front of 78,000 people I have never seen it. I thought the atmosphere was just unbelievable. The heat on the pitch was about 24 or 25 degrees it was so hot down there.

"Both teams had their spells where they just couldn't run anymore and then they just recovered and they went again. It's a great testament to both teams. I don't think there was a dirty belt hit in the game."

How has Lyons energised the team?

"Listen, we believed, we just kept trying to do right things. In the end we got the bounce of the ball, a few things fell for us, but young (Alan) Brogan finished a goal which was just electric.

"The Hill; today was just awesome. When Kildare got their goals the Hill rose the voice levels again. Unbelievable."

In terms of where Dublin football has been for the past seven years and where it's going to, Lyons was asked to plot the point which had been reached.

It was as he planned it to be.

"We wanted to win two Leinster titles this year. We have them in the bag now, with the under-21s and now today. Who knows now what develops from young men who get confidence. We ended up today with five or six under-21s on the team and some of the old faces performing brilliantly.

"What does it mean? You look at Alan Brogan who has never lost to Kildare and Paul Casey. It's another breed. They are starting to complement each other well. It's about fellas like Declan Darcy and Jim Gavin, who put in the work and support the young lads. Look at Jonny Magee, with 13 Leinster finals between club, senior and underage and never had a medal. Peader Andrews - nine or 10 finals, Ciarán Whelan in five. They weren't going to die today. Not a chance."

Problems? "They're not a stick but an energiser. When it mattered most we were great."

Lyons was sure about one element he wanted to see coming out of yesterday afternoon. In articulating it he coined a new and useful word with which to describe the cumbersome business of fundraising.

"We should get a lump of money back from the Leinster Council into players' funds so there's none of this arseboxing around trying to get players away on holidays. The money should just be delivered to the county board. The gate today was nearly two million. Fifty thousand euros each would be a fair sum.

"Let's get real. Johnny McNally was made redundant on Friday, he performed out there today with no job and 78,000 people paid to see him."

He pauses for breath and a smile. "I'm sure, though, we'll get him a job.""

So this summer Lyons has outwitted Seán Boylan and Mick O'Dwyer already.

Good going. Is he happier to be manager now than six years ago? "No I would have loved to be manager six years ago. Your hand is dealt, though. I don't look back. The hand I got wasn't for Dublin I went to Offaly and had great times - I had 12 calls from Offaly people on Friday, that meant a lot."

For Mick O'Dwyer the end had dignity and excitement. He was proud of his young team and looking forward already to better days on the scenic route . . .

"At the end of the day we were cruising at three points up and, bang, they had two goals, but in fairness we kept fighting and challenging. It could have gone any way.

"Over the years Dublin didn't get the breaks in games and we did. That's what football is all about. My team were fabulous today for a side that weren't give any chance. They came and they gave it everything and I thought they played well. We've no regrets.

"With two weeks till the play-off we have a good chance of getting it together. It depends on who you draw."

Kerry? "We don't want to see them anymore, we saw them once before." They got Kerry.

Last word to Tommy Lyons. What now? "Ah sure. We'll get drunk." And worry about the arseboxing around later no doubt . . .