Leinster SFC Final/Analysis: Part of the pre-match speculation about the Leinster final concerned whether Dublin could confirm their All-Ireland ambitions as legitimate and they did, particularly in the second-half, even if Offaly faded a little bit more than expected.

But it took a while for Dublin to assert themselves. It looked for a while as if the weight of favouritism was weighing heavily on them. Offaly were playing with abandon and getting scores. Despite all that was known about Offaly's forwards, Dublin didn't shut off the sources and on a limited supply Offaly were able to isolate Niall McNamee and Thomas Deehan.

It's to Dublin's credit that they didn't panic but they were under pressure and didn't score for 14 minutes. They played along predicted lines with more structured kick-outs and once they settled down in the second half, their rhythm returned.

Midfield was a key area with Dublin dominating. Ciarán Whelan has been criticised for fading out of matches but yesterday he got stronger as it went on and if anyone is looking for reasons why Dublin are contenders, the midfielder's improvement is the answer.

It was still hard going. Offaly in a Leinster final had the big tradition of never giving up and even in the second half they were getting turnovers in their own defence, which was a tribute to them.

If there was a turning point it was at the end of the first half when Stephen Cluxton took down Cathal Daly when he had the goal chance. I think the yellow card was the correct decision because the soccer concept of the professional foul doesn't exist. Maybe when the rule book is being re-written it's something that could be considered but it's not in the rules at present. Overall the referee did well but a couple of calls favoured Dublin. Then again in my experience if a team keeps its structure and works hard it gets the breaks.

It was key for Dublin in the middle of the game that while they got the breaks and Offaly were missing chances, Mossy Quinn was showing composure in clinically taking his chances. Alan Brogan then broke into the game and it was noticeable that Dublin's spread of scorers was better. Quinn, Brogan and Conal Keaney could take scores and Jason Sherlock basically finished the game.

Offaly didn't have anyone to take up the mantle when Niall McNamee and Deehan were under pressure. When Alan McNamee got sent off - although Dublin didn't take immediate advantage - the match was effectively over. Dublin showed a lot of qualities that suggest their All-Ireland threat is genuine.

The standard in Connacht was behind Leinster. Apart from a couple of mC>Michael Meehan there wasn't much quality on show.

Mayo have their 41st title and over the 70 minutes it was well deserved. Galway never got near what they're capable of. They might feel hard done by in the closing minutes with a couple of the decisions but Mayo should have had it won at half-time.

They shot four wides in the first five minutes and Galway led at half-time because they had made better use of possession. It was like the 2002 Connacht semi-final when the only time Galway led was going into injury-time.

>nut>formation and played at times intuitively. Ciarán McDonald came out the field and played almost a free role. Galway stuck with Declan Meehan on him. I'm not sure this was the best use of Meehan but Mayo must have been winning 65 per cent of the ball around midfield in the first half.

It would have been interesting to be in the two dressingrooms at half-time. Mayo had played against the wind but dominated and Galway had to do something.

They upped the intensity and in a match which most people at half-time felt would be settled by a goal, it was Galway that got it and a point quickly afterwards.

The credit for Mayo winning the game is down to their response. Ronan McGarrity stood up as did Ger Brady who scored a point and got a free. Had they not responded the game was gone. Brady must have been injured when replaced because he was influencing the game.

->counter the lack of height and Keith Higgins played full back. The defenders did well and came out quickly, first to the ball. Only when Joe Bergin went in at full forward did James Nallen follow.

Mayo have a lot of work to do before thinking about All-Irelands but this was a start and they will get better with this behind them.