Down 1-12 : Dublin 0-13

 

It's the first time these great
football counties have met in a final. After two
seasons of eclipse in Ulster, Down have roared back -
fuelled by what is still regarded as the Match of the
Decade, an opening-round defeat of All-Ireland
champions Derry. Dublin have laboured through Leinster
and beaten Leitrim - fresh from a rapturously received
first Connacht title since 1927 - in the All-Ireland
semi-final. Dublin have now been waiting for Sam as
long as they were when Kevin Heffernan led them to the
promised land 20 years previously. Is the Dubs' wait
over or will Ulster rule continue?