Dublin are back into the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2020 after a 1-17 to 0-13 win over Monaghan, but for 60 minutes they were pushed all the way by the Ulster side.
Dean Rock's late major eventually gave Dublin a seven-point winning cushion, but for the majority there was nothing between the sides.
Here we look at how the players from Dublin and Monaghan rated.
DUBLIN
Stephen Cluxton - 7
His first kick-out was a peach as he found Lee Gannon, but nearly had a calamitous moment two minutes from the break as he spilled a routine catch from a Conor McManus shot that had dropped short. The ball bounced to the right of the post rather than left and into the net, but it still cost a point as Rory Beggan nailed the resultant 45. One kick-out that went over the sideline aside, very accurate in the second half and punched away a late high Monaghan ball.
Eoin Murchan - 6
One of a number of Dublin players to struggle to find his feet in the first half, but looked much more comfortable in the second half as he was allowed to push further forward. Clipped by Gary Mohan midway through the second period and drifted out of it again from there.
Michael Fitzsimons - 7.5
A reminder in the first half as to why he is so highly rated. His timing was spot on early on as he didn't race out to the advancing Ryan McAnespie, eventually blocking the goal-bound shot. Later in the half he was turned badly by Conor McManus but got back to get down and execute another brilliant block. The second half was more difficult though as McManus showed all his class and then some. Suckered into giving away a close-range free but overall a good performance.
David Byrne - 5
Fisted the ball straight to Conor McManus when coming out with the ball in the second half and later was sent to the shops by a Jack McCarron dummy as the Scotstown man brought the Ulster side back within two with four minutes remaining. An untidy showing.
James McCarthy - 8
Failed to exert his usual influence for most of this contest, but when the game was there to be won, he stepped into the breach with some fine plays. Helped win a big turnover that led to a Cormac Costello point in the second half albeit he was a bit overenthusiastic with some late challenges, picking up a yellow card for a heavy tackle minutes after escaping a similar sanction for a tackle on Darren Hughes that led to the latter being blood subbed. A real leader in the final quarter.
John Small - 6
Early foul on Ryan McAnespie wasn’t punished as Rory Beggan hit the post. Was booked in the second half for a tackle on Killian Lavelle, although it looked slightly harsh on replay. Will enter the final knowing that there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Lee Gannon - 8
One of Stephen Cluxton’s main outlets for kick-outs and took a great catch under pressure from Darren Hughes just when Monaghan were turning the screw late in the first half. Cut in lovely in the second period and fisted over having turned down the mark and overall had a fine game compared to some bigger names on the Dublin team-sheet.
Brian Fenton - 9
The Raheny man was miles off his best in the opening period, but once it became clear midway through the second half that Monaghan were not going to be shaken off easily, he basically owned the game. He took the game by the scruff of the neck, kicked a fine score after scrambling up from his knees and in 20 minutes he nearly stole the Player of the Match award from Cormac Costello. Superb.
Brian Howard - 7
Bad wide – just Dublin’s second – towards the end of the first half and although quieter than his club-mate and midfield partner Fenton, improved as the game developed.
Paul Mannion - 6
One of a number of Dublin forwards who was mostly invisible in the first half. Landed a mark in the 27th minute with the minimum of fuss but was off target with a shot a few minutes later. Hit a free after the interval but seemed to tire, being easily out-sprinted by Conor McManus late on.
Paddy Small - 7.5
Brought in to frustrate Karl O’Connell and held the Tyholland man up twice in the first half. More to his game than a stopper role though as his early booming score off his right foot showed. Less effective in the second half but still so industrious. Replaced late on having emptied the tank.
Niall Scully - 5
Not Scully’s most memorable day as he was black carded for a silly ankle tap on Conor McCarthy in the 16th minute and replaced by Ciarán Kilkenny moments after rejoining the play.
Cormac Costello - 9
Dublin’s saviour in the first half and the reason they weren’t facing a deficit of a few points on the switch around. Continually found space in front of Conor Boyle and landed six first-half scores. Not surprisingly, was less explosive in the second half but ended the game with seven points from seven shots, three of those coming from play.
Con O’Callaghan - 7
Surprisingly tracked by Monaghan midfielder Killian Lavelle and found the Clontibret man hard to shake off in the first half. Much more like it in the second half and his pass for Dean Rock’s late goal was a thing of beauty. Kicked two points from play.
Colm Basquel - 5
Anonymous in the first half and second half started with a bad over-carry when Dublin were in a promising position coming in along the end-line. No surprise to see him replaced in the 44th minute by Jack McCaffrey.
SUBS
Ciarán Kilkenny - 7
Still can’t find his way into the starting team, but that may change for the final after a typically composed performance. Replaced Niall Scully late in the first half and threaded everything together in that unique style of his. By no means a great performance, but a timely good showing.
Jack McCaffrey - 7
Kicked a score, albeit he needed the post to help it over after his connection wasn't totally clean, but brought energy when introduced. His adventure is so crucial, and he tried to manufacture some team moves on the Monaghan D, although the Oriel defence did well to shut them down.
Lorcan O’Dell - 7
Did exactly what Dessie Farrell would have wanted, got the ball and made hard yards up the field. Won a free that way off Darren Hughes that pushed Dublin four clear in additional time.
Dean Rock - 7
Came on the 69th minute but still finished with 1-01 – albeit the goal was put on a plate for him by an exquisite Con O’Callaghan pass. Despite a good side-step past Rory Beggan, he made harder work than he needed to from a yard out as Ryan Wylie got a hand to it.
Tom Lahiff
Not on long enough to be rated.
MONAGHAN
Rory Beggan - 8
Shaky start when he hit the post when expected to score and fumbled the ball in the 12th minute and sold Ryan McAnespie short with the pass as he tried to recover. From there though he found his rhythm and landed three brilliant 45s in the first half. Some of his kicks in the second half under simply incredible Dublin pressure should be admired too.
Darren Hughes - 7
A late replacement for corner-back Ryan O’Toole but, of course, played out around the middle. As usual, bulled into tackles left, right and centre and twice had to leave the pitch to replace a bloodied jersey. Made a massive interception when Rory Beggan had slipped while in the opposite half. Foul on Lorcan O’Dell in final minutes was a black mark as the Dean Rock conversion pushed it out to a two-score game. 7.
Kieran Duffy - 7
At times broke as far as the Dublin full-back line in order to try and create space for those around him but mostly operated as a safety net in front of Rory Beggan – or often behind him when his goalkeeper pushed forward – and did a solid job.
Ryan Wylie - 7.5
Got the better of Colm Basquel, who was replaced, and then went on to keep tabs on the thereto brilliant Cormac Costello, and did a fine job there too. Threw his body on the line constantly and brought real energy to Monaghan’s play.
Karl O’Connell - 6.5
On the ball so much in the opening quarter, but his direct runs were often closed down by Paddy Small and failed to have the influence of previous games. Still put in a solid shift and a second All-Star is probably on the way.
Conor Boyle - 5.5
Was shadowing Cormac Costello early on and really found himself in bother as the Dublin forward caught fire. Looked much more at home when given more license to go at the Dubs and even played a nice long delivery into attack that eventually led to a pointed free but the first half was a chastising experience. 5.5.
Conor McCarthy - 6.5
Like his wing-back counterpart O’Connell, failed to match previous performances despite having a lot of the ball in the first 15. Sliced one shot badly wide but still was neat and tidy in possession and escaped a few Dublin traps when he looked penned in. Struck the upright when in on goal in the first half.
Kieran Hughes - 6.5
Like older brother Darren, emptied the tank as he kept the ball ticking over in the midfield area as Monaghan dominated much of the first half. Kicked a wide and was replaced by Jack McCarron early in the second half.
Killian Lavelle - 7.5
Handed the unenviable task of marking Con O’Callaghan in the first half but acquitted himself very well. Did concede three frees, but the second of those – leading to Dublin’s leading score just before the break – looked like a rare wrong call from referee Sean Hurson. Found O’Callaghan a bit slippier in the third quarter.
Stephen O’Hanlon - 6.5
A bit of a mixed bag for the Carrickmacross man. Got Monaghan off the mark with a fine score and made some direct line-breaks, as the jinky speedster tends to do. His touch on the ground, leading to a Dublin free, felt like a big moment as Monaghan had just drawn level with 10 minutes remaining.
Micheàl Bannigan - 7
Probably Monaghan’s most under-rated player, he had a fine game as Monaghan’s link man. His 27th minute point was a thing of beauty as he spotted a gap and put the head down and went. Like some of his team-mates, performance dipped a bit after the break but still another good showing.
Ryan McAnespie - 7
His mid-season return from abroad really helped Monaghan progress to the last four and he had some fine moments here, not least a brilliant second-half point from an incredibly tight angle. Made a mess of an early goal chance, blasting at Fitzsimons when he really needed to square to the unmarked O’Hanlon.
Conor McManus - 9
What more can you say? A surprise starter having been used as a finisher all season, McManus once again lit up Croke Park. Fitzsimons did well on their one-on-one battles in the first half, but McManus still won numerous breaks, set up attack after attack and generally played well. In the second half though, he produced a masterclass, one miss aside, and for so long it looked like he may get his fairytale All-Ireland final date.
Gary Mohan - 7
Mohan was limited to moments, really. Kicked a brilliant score on the half-hour mark to get Monaghan back within one, and had a couple of good knockdowns under kick-outs. Will be disappointed with how Fenton got up and past him to kick a vital score when the game was in the balance. Overall did well though in what has been a good season.
Dessie Ward - 5
The Ballybay man was the first Monaghan player to be called ashore and it wasn’t a massive surprise after a sloppy start to the second half. He turned down a mark when in a good position, fouled Brian Howard and also skied a shot. A fine player, but he just couldn’t get going here.
SUBS
Karl Gallagher - 7
On for Dessie Ward early in the second half and provided a good outlet when Dublin forced Rory Beggan to go long.
Jack McCarron - 6.5
Was starved of ball when he came on, but still had time to kick a beauty of a score as he sent David Byrne flying across the turf with a brilliant dummy before pointing.
Colm Lennon - 6
In briefly as a blood sub and then came back on in the final moments when the game was already beyond Vinny Corey’s side.
Ryan O’Toole - 6
Brought on just as Monaghan drew level, but faced a blue wave in those final 10 minutes. 6.
Sean Jones - 5.5
The Inniskeen youngster coughed up the two possessions that came his way.
