As the summer of 2011 began, Dublin's Gaelic footballers had gone fifteen championship seasons without winning the Sam Maguire Cup. Almost every one of those seasons had included at least one moment when the Dubs looked like possible champions, but the boys in blue had become masters of raising their fans' expectations only to let them down. This year was different.
Proceeding with minimal fuss or hype, the Dubs won the Leinster title and then signalled their quality in a blitzing of Tyrone. A tight victory over a radically defence-minded Donegal was in some ways even more impressive: the Dubs were offered many opportunities to panic, but never did so. Then Kerry, the old enemy.
In an All Ireland final that will be remembered for ever, Dublin were in control for 40 minutes before the Kingdom started showing its class and experience. With seven minutes left, Kerry were cruising, Dublin were finished. And then ...Top GAA journalist Malachy Clerkin has teamed up with photo agency Inpho to tell the story of Dublin's historic All Ireland-winning campaign and the people at the heart of it: Pat Gilroy, Bryan Cullen, the Brogan brothers, Stephen Cluxton and the rest.
From the wilderness years of 1996-2010 to this year's League campaign and on through every championship match and the post-match celebrations, "The Dubs" brings a brilliant sporting achievement to life in words and images.
