McDonald winner shocks Dubs
Mayo 1-16 Dublin 2-12
Ciaran McDonald's late winner gave Mayo a sensational win over the Dubs and a place in the All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry in front of 82,148 spectators at Croke Park.
The Connacht champions came from seven points behind in one of the most courageous displays seen at the Jones Road venue for years.
Now they have a chance to make amends for the disappointment of their flat performance in their last appearance in the decider, when they lost heavily to the Kingdom in 2004.
Mayo were four points to the good by the time Conal Keaney shot Dublin's first point in the 17th minute.
But that score sparked a hugely productive spell for Paul Caffrey's side. And they were in front by the 24th minute, after Keaney slid home a goal from close range after David Clarke had stopped Alan Brogan's shot.
Earlier, Conor Mortimer and Kieran McDonald had shot spectacular Mayo scores, and Ger Brady added an equally delightful effort, but now they were on the back foot, with David Heaney and Aidan Higgins called upon to avert dangerous situations.
Shane Ryan began to make an impact in the Dublin midfield, and his 80 yard run set up Ray Cosgrove for a point.
Ciaran Whelan was lucky to pick up just a yellow card for a high tackle on Ronan McGarrity, who was soon afterwards forced to retire injured.
A Tomas Quinn '45' had the Dubs ahead in stoppage time, but there was still time for Mortimer and Kevin O'Neill to send the Connacht champions in with a slender 0-9 to 1-5 interval lead.
But the Dubs made a thunderous start to the second half, gong six points clear inside six minutes of the restart.
Jason Sherlock punched Kevin Bonner's cross to the net and Alan Broan clipped over three points to stun the westerners.
The Mayo defence for a time just couldn't cope with the lines of running and clever interplay of the Dubs attack, with Bonner and Keaney adding further scores.
But they weathered a furious storm, and came right back into the game, and when substitute Andy Moran netted in the 51st minute, just two points separated the sides.
Dillon brought them level on 2-11 to 1-14 as the Mayo faithful found their collective voice, and Croke Park erupted when Mortimer edged them back in front from a free.
Brogan had the sides level for the seventh time, before a sublime McDonald effort sailed between the posts for a glorious winner.
