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Dublin's Paul Flynn celebrates after yesterday's win. INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Winning Feeling

Dublin's Flynn celebrates after 'hardest game of his life'

Dublin’s attacker was forced to play in defence in the finale as they held on in Croke Park.

“THE HARDEST GAME I have played in my whole life”, was the Paul Flynn summation after yesterday’s bruising battle in Croke Park.

The Dublin attacker claimed his second All-Ireland senior crown in three years and praised his teammates that he ‘went to war’ with.

“I don’t know what it looked like from the stand but it was the hardest game of football I’ve ever played and that’s being honest. They just didn’t stop, they just keep going. I’m tired but I’m over the moon, I’m just so happy.

“It’s a different squad, there’s a lot of different players and I love them lads I went to war with in 2011 and I love the lads I went to war with in 2013.”

The game ended in unusual circumstances for Flynn. With Dublin having made their five substitutions and with both Rory O’Carroll and Eoghan O’Gara injured, everyone was needed to help the defensive effort as Mayo poured forward.

“I was full-back for a while”, laughed Flynn. “Philly (McMahon) was trying to say to me, ‘You mark him’. I said ‘you’ll mark him, I’ll sweep’!

“Ah no, we had to do it because poor old Rory got knocked out so he didn’t have a clue where he was. You just do what you have to do for the team and that’s all that matters. I’m over the moon.

“O’Gara pulled his hamstring too so he was kinda gone and I knew we were going to be against it then. I was like ‘Jesus’.

“By playing sweeper, we invited them on. Look, it’s hard to speak. I’m a bit out of sorts but I’m just so happy.”

Teammates

After spending several years pursing an All-Ireland medal, managing to claim a second in three years is a major feat by this Dublin squad.

“It’s unbelievable,” admitted Flynn. “It’s hard to put words on it because when you get one (All-Ireland) you’re saying this is all you ever want in your whole life.

“But I’ll be honest and there’s no harm in saying it now it would have been unjust if we only got one All-Ireland with this group of lads because the team we have there is just phenomenal.

“It’s just such a pleasure to play with them, I’m not going to lie.”

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