Whether Dublin and Kerry like to admit it or not, the fact is, there are so many similarities between the two counties.
The Kings of Leinster and the Kings of Munster. The most dominant team of the noughties and the most dominant team of the 2010's. Loved by their own (most of the time), loathed by the rest (all the time).
How fitting it was then for Kerry to end their 13 year winless Championship run over 'The Dubs' with a last minute monstrous kick off the ground into Hill 16. A moment that instantly evoked memories of Stephen Cluxton's last gasp winner in 2011.
READ MORE: RTE Sunday Game panel agree Sean O'Shea 'had to go for' penalty rebound after it sparks controversy
Dublin and Kerry are cut from the same cloth. They're two sides of the same coin. Perhaps that's why magic happens whenever these teams face off.
In 2011, it was Kerry who were the dominant side, having won five All Irelands in the previous decade. Dublin were the perennial nearly men, coming up short against the Kingdom time and time again.
In 2001, Dublin were knocked out at the hands of Kerry at the quarter-final stage following a replay. The Kingdom sent The Dubs packing at the same stage in '04 and '09, and dumped The Boys in Blue out at the semi-final stage in '07.
It took the kick of his life for Cluxton to break the streak and bring Sam Maguire back to the capital for the first time in 16 years.
And from that point on, the roles reversed. Dublin became kings while Kerry became, well not quite paupers, but for their own ridiculously high standards they floundered in the doldrums.
For the next decade, anytime the sides met in Championship action the same side kept coming out on top time and time again. The 2013 semi-final classic sent The Dubs on their way to pick up a second title in three years. Victories in '15, '16 and '19 proved that Dublin were the new kings in football.
It seems to be whenever one of these sides has the other's number, they control the sport. Dublin didn't beat Kerry in the noughties and the Munster side cleaned up. Kerry didn't beat Dublin in the 2010's and The Dubs brushed past all pretenders to their throne.
It took the kick of his life for Seanie O'Shea to end The Dubs reign of terror over the Kingdom of Kerry.
Such parallels between how the two sides broke the other's spell of dominance. When Dublin finally got one over Kerry they pushed on and became one of the best teams any of us are ever likely to see.
Should Kerry get over the line and pick up a first All Ireland victory since 2014, thoughts will immediately turn to the future. Dublin won seven more titles after beating Kerry in 2011.
The newfound confidence from beating The Kingdom was the rocket fuel that Dublin needed to make it to the mountaintop. And not only make it, but make it their home for the next nine years.
Wil Kerry do the same? Who knows. But if history tells us anything, they are in a perfect position to do so.
But the Munster Champions still haven't gotten over the line yet. They've been the coming team for years yet, O'Shea, Clifford and Co. have yet to pick up a celtic cross. This has to change before we can truly begin to talk about era's of dominance.
Kerry still have a job to do against Galway and The Tribesmen will certainly be no pushovers with the likes of Damien Comer in the form of his life. Jack O'Connor's men will have to snuff him out along with the likes of Shane Walsh and Paul Conroy in a fortnight's time.
But the Munster Champions should take inspiration from the last time a Dublin or Kerry side broke the hoodoo one had over the other. Cluxton's strike in 2011 signalled the beginning of the greatest era in Dublin's history, with a total of eight All Ireland triumph's coming between 2011-2020.
And with Clifford and O'Shea going nowhere, who knows how many titles The Kingdom may claim.
READ NEXT:
Paul Caffrey column: A Dublin display full of defiance can’t mask some major issues in capital
GAA urged to withhold money owed to HawkEye operators after latest clanger during Galway v Derry
Keith Earls captains Ireland for first time as 15 changes made for Māori All Blacks clash
'I want it even more now' - Shane Lowry looking to make it an Open double this week
IABA facing funding cuts after rejecting reform proposals at EGM
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
