The most impressive thing about Dublin is that they do it with 31 counties hoping they don’t

Any fans of Remember The Titans will be familiar with the term, 'leave no doubt'.

It's a true story about a school in Virginia which had integrated black players into the team for the first time but soon found that everyone was praying for their demise. During one particular game that was seemingly fixed, the Titans' undefeated record was at risk. One of the coaches pulled the players in and demanded that he hears no excuses. They were to go out and play in such a manner that left nothing in doubt. If they left anything in doubt, they would lose. If the officials had an opportunity to push against them, they would take it and the rest of the state wouldn't care. The only way they could be sure of victory was to leave no doubt. None whatsoever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8vXroMMGdM Watching that final between Dublin and Mayo head into the depths of injury time, you could feel the will of the country railing against the champions. If it's not the capital city that they don't like, or the money or population, it's just the fact that these lads had won four of the last six All-Ireland titles and the masses wanted something different. You almost felt that Joe McQuillan was leaning that way too as the clock ticked well beyond the allotted time and Dublin held possession. The whole world was watching on rooting for Mayo to win the ball back and they were certainly being given the time to do that. What would've happened if they had been successful in their pursuit is that the ref would've issued a soft free and gave them a chance to level it up and an opportunity to fight another day. That looked to be the natural conclusion of the game, everyone was roaring for it, everyone was ready for it. Dublin? They didn't even allow that eventuality to become a remote possibility. They kept the ball away from tackles and away from trouble for minutes that must've felt like eternity. They kept their heads, worked their way out of pockets and backed each other up when the will of the GAA world was pushing in the other direction. They didn't complain, they didn't look for any favours, they were prepared to mine the well for as long as they had to and, in doing so, they took the decision out of the referee's hands and out of sentiment's hands too. They left no doubt. It's too easy to say that Dublin have it easy. They've always had the population - every city team does - and they've always had the biggest sponsorship deals. But those things aren't lifting weights. They're not eating up muddy grounds in January. They're not kicking balls over the bar for them. Perhaps they help, perhaps it's a disadvantage for everyone else but it can't be easy being the team that everyone is just lining up to throw stones at. There's a queue the whole way along the rocky road of people who are just waiting and praying for the fall of this amazing outfit and their amazing accomplishments. But time and time again, Dublin stand up to it all. They continue to break new ground and reach new heights and they do it all with 31 other counties hissing scornfully at their every move. People aren't afraid to admit that this is a good team but too many are frightened to profess their fondness for the side or its individuals or for the football that they play. If you praise a Dublin player, you can expect a backlash in some form. And, so, an outfit that isn't just blessed with pioneering skill and athleticism but massive, massive heart too, slides into the night without even half of the admiration they've earned. Maybe they just take comfort in their All-Irelands and in the warm embrace of the Gaels in the city and maybe it's even more enjoyable that they're able to turn around and stick two fingers up to the rest of the country every time they climb the Hogan Stand steps and most have tuned out already in a huff. But this Dublin operation is special and, when they're in full battle mode, they produce unforgettable spectacles. They uncover moments of magic and raw moments of pure human desire at its very limit. They entertain. They deliver. They inspire. And they do it all, genuinely, against the world.