BALLYBODEN St Enda’s man Michael Darragh Macauley said that despite the roller-coaster nature of Dublin’s epic 3-18 to 3-11 win over Kerry last Sunday, the side remained true to their beliefs and calm in their tactical execution.
They came from 3-5 to 1-9 down at half-time and a point down with just a couple of minutes remaining in Croke Park to win by a flattering seven points courtesy of Kevin McManamon’s lobbed goal and a last-gasp Eoghan O’Gara rocket strike.
Speaking after the game about what went on at the interval, midfield dynamo Macauley said that the manner in which his side kept their cool will stand to them.
“I think the lads showed great resolve to come through that and it was great to see and hopefully it sticks and we have that faith going into the final.
“You have to believe in what you are doing. If lads fold or think they can do their own thing, it’s not worth anything. So lads stuck to the game plan and we came out on top.”
“[At half-time] we were all concentrated. We don’t get too worked up, we stay on the ball and stick to the game plan and it worked for us.”
The Boden man was in particularly energetic form in midfield during the semi-final, putting in a crucial punch forward between two Kerry players to a loose ball to set in motion McManamon’s crucial goal.
Now, looking forward to the final against Mayo in three weekends’ time, Macauley says that he cannot wait for the showdown.
“This is where you want to be. It’s what it’s all about. It is very tough losing an All-Ireland semi-final. I’ve been there, lost two of them and it’s very tough so of course it was a motivation.
“I think it would be worse to lose a semi rather than a final so, great excitement to be part of a final. To be part of history is great, so the whole squad is looking forward to it.
“There is great character in the team and I think that was shown out there today and we are going to need every bit of that character going into the final if we are to progress.
“I know there is a bit of tin at the end of it with old Mr Sam Maguire but it’s going to be another big day out. It is where you want to be at.”
