The first game couldn't separate them and just one point kept them apart today but again Mayo must take refuge in the House of Pain.
Cillian O'Connor whose place kicking was flawless throughout the game was presented with the opportunity to level the game in the final seconds of added time and force the game into injury time.
But the assignment was just beyond his powers and he just couldn't steer it over. It ressurcted memories of Waterford's Pauric Mahony whose last second free against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final didn't reached the desired destination either.
The image of Diarmuid O'Connor crouched beneath the collar of his jersey sobbing uncontrolably is not the ending he or his brother deserved but the winning margins favoured Dublin today.
GAA followers are posting their tributes to O'Connor and it's testament to the community spirit of the sport that they are honouring his contribution to this epic game.
Cillian O’Connor..effortless leader..natural leader #DUBvMAYO
— Ryan Gallagher (@Ryan_Gally) October 1, 2016
Cillian O'Connor. Heartbroken. Not a way to end an All Ireland. #DUBvMAYO #AllIrelandFinal
— Matthew Riordan (@Riordan_Matt) October 1, 2016
Serious respect for Cillian O'Connor, what a man #DUBvMAYO gutted for them
— Emma McGarry (@EmmaKMcGarry) October 1, 2016
I would have put my life on Cillian O Connor to stick that last free over, but that's football #DUBvMAYO
— Paul Coyle (@pplusc94) October 1, 2016
Absolutely heart broken for Cillian O'Connor. The only time. The one free.ðŸ˜ðŸ’” #DUBvMAYO
— Ciara (@ciaramcadam90) October 1, 2016
Heart goes out to Cillian O Connor, hero 1 day, villain the next, sport can be so cruel!
— Ronan Mc Donald (@ro_mac_) October 1, 2016
Absolutely sick for Cillian O'Connor who has been absolutely metronomic from his boot all day. Sport is a heartbreaker. #DUBvMayo
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) October 1, 2016
For Cillian O'Connor free read Pauric Mahony v Kilkenny. Commiserations @MayoGAA We know how you feel. #HonTheDeise
— patrick hennessy (@phad32) October 1, 2016
My heart goes out to Cillian O'Connor and Mayo, would love to see them get over the line one day
— David Gammell (@davidgammell2) October 1, 2016
Cillian O'Connor didn't deserve that. #dubmayo
— Luke Benson (@Mr_LukeBenson) October 1, 2016
I'm broken for Cillian O Connor right now #DUBvMAYO
— Joanne (@JoanneOR_Ox) October 1, 2016
Feel sorry for Cillian O'Connor. Awful
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) October 1, 2016
