Bernard Brogan sums up gladiator battle perfectly as Kerry and Dublin show serious respect to each other

The Kingdom come but the capital stands.

It was a battle for the ages, Kerry and Dublin. The two finest counties down through the history of Gaelic football, the two proudest natives, the best of enemies went toe to toe, blow for blow in an all-out war on Sunday and only inches separated them. Bodies were bruised, blood was spilled and 83,000 spectators were left drooling on the edge of their seats witnessing a classic unfold. It wasn't just a place in the All-Ireland final at stake. Pride was on the line. Hatred was in the air. When all was said and done though, the fiercest of rivals brought the best out of one another. The champions were forced to plummet the well to find the answers and prove their worth and Kerry were forced to accept that their best simply wasn't good enough - because their best was what they brought. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/770011323920949251 How could they not respect each other after that titanic clash? And, in the aftermath as Gaels tried to catch their breaths, the players and ex players did their damnedest to sum it all up. Bernard Brogan led the nod of respect to the most decorated county in Ireland. https://twitter.com/bernardbrogan/status/770020362583154688 James McCarthy returned and didn't Kerry just feel it. But the Ballymun man, too, respects the enemy. https://twitter.com/JamesyMac26/status/769957843462152192 What a game and what rivals, just ask Paul Flynn. https://www.instagram.com/p/BJqTe5Kjriu/ Diarmuid Connolly paid tribute to the supporters. God knows they needed them on Sunday. https://twitter.com/dermoc123/status/769955724902428672 This image summed it all up. https://twitter.com/Deanrock14/status/769986539464036353 But Brian Fenton was just happy for Ciaran Whelan's dress sense. https://twitter.com/BrianFenton08/status/769959712007852033 Even the Kerry legends could pay respect to the Dubs. https://twitter.com/tomas5ky/status/769931933136609280 But this is how much it meant. https://twitter.com/sportsfilebren/status/769989979854532608 They'll be back. They never go away. https://twitter.com/TadhgKennelly/status/770025700996812800 The GAA Hour podcast is out every Monday and Thursday. Subscribe here on iTunes or listen on Soundcloud.