Mayo v Dublin fallout: Gavin Cummiskey talks to some experts on how and where it all went wrong for Dublin and how Mayo got it so right

Some commentators hastily labelled Sunday's enthralling All-Ireland football semi-final the best game of football since 1977. For Dubliners it was a blur of anguish and they awoke yesterday morning still scratching their heads. The Dublin management are still wearing their flak jackets. With the cruel advantage of hindsight, the tactical decisions of Paul Caffrey must be scrutinised.

Equally, the Mickey Moran-John Morrison ticket is being lauded out west for putting a plan in place that negated the influence of Dublin's midfield and especially the playmaking talents of Bryan Cullen. After Conal Keaney punched Dublin into a seven-point lead with 25 minutes remaining, a solitary score, from the outstanding Alan Brogan, followed while Mayo rattled off 1-6 in a thrilling endgame.

Rewind to Mayo players galloping towards Hill 16 for the pre-match warm-up. This sparked memories of English rugby captain Martin Johnson taking the Irish side off the red carpet before the 2003 Grand Slam decider at Lansdowne Road. An incident that prompted Brian O'Driscoll to march his team on to the turf, thus disrupting President Mary McAleese's arrival.

Caffrey reacted to the invasion by slamming a shoulder into the back of Mayo trainer, and friend, John Morrison. The tone was definitely set.

"What happened before the game may have had a bearing on the result as it seemed to upset the Dublin rhythm, early on at least. Mayo seemed to psyche them out of it," says Westmeath manager Tomás Ó Flatharta. "Going towards the Hill was Mayo saying: 'we have every right to be on this pitch. Anywhere on this pitch!' It laid down a marker that they would not be intimidated."

Dublin bossed midfield during the earlier championship rounds, or more precisely Stephen Cluxton's ability to find either Shane Ryan or Ciarán Whelan from angled kick-outs had worked a treat. Whelan missed the last 10 minutes of the first half because of an alleged blood injury, which coincided with the departure of Mayo's Ronan McGarrity as a result of a cynical challenge from the Raheny man. The Ballina basketballer had been cleaning him out in the aerial stakes. Whelan was fortunate to escape with a yellow card. It stunted his influence thereafter.

Dublin's most consistent player this season, Ryan, ended up at wing back as a consequence of the introduction of an unfit Darren Magee. An anonymous Declan Lally eventually replaced Ryan for the final 13 minutes. "It's very easy passing judgment in hindsight but Shane Ryan seemed to be doing well in midfield," said former Irish International Rules manager John O'Keeffe. "He has been excellent retrieving Dublin kick-outs all year but Mayo figured that out. Dublin lost their way at midfield. Ciarán Whelan coming on and off for treatment disrupted an established partnership. Darren Magee faded in the second half.

"Ryan, when back in defence, was caught ball-watching and on the wrong side of Andy Moran for the Mayo goal. Although it was a brilliant pass by Kevin O'Neill, Ryan would not have been used to the tight marking after a full year in midfield. Ray Cosgrove seemed to be having his best game of the season yet he was replaced. His movement was intelligent and he was getting on a lot of ball. I wouldn't have taken Mossie Quinn off either as he had found his range from frees after a deflating start. You never take your free-taker off in a tight game."

Also, Cullen had cruised forward like a Rolls Royce since switching to centre back after the Longford game. The busy threat of Ger Brady and Alan Dillon restricted Cullen to defensive duties.

The contest can be gauged from two vantage points: either the Dublin management and players failed to reach the expected standards or Mayo must be applauded for a remarkable comeback. Take your pick.

"I don't think it was a case of Dublin taking their foot off the pedal when they were seven points clear," said Limerick manager Mickey Ned O'Sullivan. "I think it was more down to Mayo taking control of midfield. The open nature of the game was due in large part to poor performances by the backs. Both teams were a little loose.

"You get games like that. Not only were the Mayo starting 15 up for it but also the players that came in brought the same intensity. This seemed to surprise Dublin or at least unsettle them.

"Dublin were unlucky. They could have won the game by six or seven points. Five times they cut open the Mayo defence but only scored two goals. The forwards could've gone for goals if they were more focused."

When Dublin are emptied from the championship the knifes inevitably get sharpened. So many pundits. So many opinions. Still a young team.

Yet Dublin's pain remains some way off that suffered by Kerry since the evolvement of Ulster's new wave or the constant failure of Armagh in their quest for a second All-Ireland title. O'Keeffe concurs: "Dublin draw a parallel to Kerry last year in that they were not stretched enough in previous games. They lacked the composure in the last five minutes due to an unfamiliarity to tight finishes. The Laois and Galway games stood to Mayo."

Mickey Ned O'Sullivan

(Limerick manager)

"I don't think it was a case of Dublin taking their foot off the pedal when they were seven points clear. I think it was more down to Mayo taking control of midfield. It was no disgrace to lose that game. It was one of the best encounters in the last 30 years. A kick of the ball decided it."

Luke Dempsey

(Longford manager)

"Mickey Moran and John Morrison have done a fantastic job by bringing, as they describe it, a family bond to the Mayo panel. It came down to individual brilliance. Ciarán McDonald's sideline and last point were worth the winning of any game. In McDonald, Mayo have that enigmatic brilliance that can change a game. Dublin do not have a player of his class."

John O'Keeffe

(Irish Times analyst)

"Some days the substitutions work, some days they don't. Senan Connell was a particular example, as he never got a touch. Introducing Collie Moran smacked of desperation. Taking off your full back (Barry Cahill) at half-time is also disrupting. Mayo were a lot tighter with possession and had more cuteness to get the ball to McDonald for the winning score."

Tomás Ó Flatharta

(Westmeath manager)

"Surrendering a seven-point lead can be attributed to complacency. Dublin had just dominated for 10 minutes and once the momentum shifts it becomes very hard to turn that engine back on again. Alan Dillon's presence was immense. In other games Paul Casey has raided forward from wing back. Dillon did not follow Casey so he had to check his runs to cover."

Declan O'Loughlin

(Laois selector)

"All along we felt in Laois that if we got another chance to meet the Dubs we could make amends. There were plenty of areas where they could be exploited. The hype had carried them this far. Mayo, primarily through an impressive work rate, exposed these flaws. Taking Shane Ryan off seemed strange. He was having a great game early on at least."