Goals proved decisive as Kerry’s quest for back-to-back All-Ireland SFC titles remains on course with a 2-18 to 0-20 victory over Dublin in Sunday’s semi-final.
In scorching heat at Croke Park, Jack O’Connor’s men did enough to get past a stern Dublin, who will reflect on a day where they were close to upsetting the odds, but 12 wides and two goal chances of their own passed up cost them.
It was the first championship meeting between the old rivals since Dublin won the 2023 All- Ireland final and while Ger Brennan’s men have enjoyed a relatively productive campaign with wins over Donegal and Galway, the Kingdom remained a step ahead.
While David Clifford was held quiet for long spells, the Fossa man still ended up with 1-6 to his name as Kerry found a way to get him on the ball, but older brother Paudie pulled the strings with five points of his own.
For Dublin, Con O’Callaghan was well contained, but Cormac Costello and Colm Basquel stepped up, but they needed more on the day as Kerry will now face Mayo in the final on Sunday, 26 July.
Clifford strikes early but Dublin stay the course
While Dublin got an early settler with a two-point free by Costello, Kerry’s response was immediate as late replacement Sean O’Shea was adjudged to have been taken down inside the box by Peadar O Cofaigh-Byrne for a penalty.
David Clifford stepped up and although his rather poor effort was saved by Evan Comerford, Clifford slammed home the rebound.
And thus began the pattern for the opening half as one landed a blow and the other replied.
It was evident both sides were wary of the threat in their way as the opening half was all about patient build-ups and working opportunities in the right areas.
Kerry were just that bit more economical as although Clifford scored just one further point in the opening period, Graham O’Sullivan, Dean O’Shea and Paudie Clifford chipped in with two apiece.
Dylan Geaney could and should have grabbed a second Kerry goal when Comerford gifted him the ball from a stray kick-out, but the Dingle man thumped over with the net at his mercy.
Yet Dublin were creating their opportunities, perhaps disappointed with five wides in the opening half, but were solving the puzzle in front as Basquel kicked two points, Costello added another three between frees and play, while O’Callaghan, well tracked by Jason Foley, landed a two-pointer with a rare opportunity to get into space.
Three points on the spin approaching the break edged Dublin back ahead but an O’Shea score levelled it at 0-11 to 1-8 in what was turning into an intriguing affair.
Kerry find a way with second goal
Dublin owned the opening period of the second half, dominating Shane Murphy’s restarts and working three scores.
Almost five minutes elapsed before Murphy could find a Kerry jersey and after a patient build-up of their own, David Clifford was blocked down.
Dublin countered, working the ball to O’Callaghan who was in on goal, but Murphy did enough to divert the effort onto the post as Kerry survived.
The Kingdom would hit back with a second goal as Geaney’s effort dropped short and Sean O’Brien got a hand to divert in off the underside of the crossbar, wiping out that early Dublin spell.
It sparked Kerry into action as while Charlie McMorrow replied with a score, Paudie Clifford came back with two of his own, his side now enjoying more of the ball as Dublin’s shooting woes continued.
David Clifford and O’Shea landed two-pointers either side of a Costello score as Kerry moved five ahead entering the final quarter and their tails were certainly up.
While Dublin’s wides’ tally ticked into double figures, they managed to carve out another goal opportunity when substitute Ross McGarry was put through, but Murphy spread himself to save onto the post again and McGarry’s follow-up was cleared off the line by a combination of Paul Murphy and Mike Breen.
It was a reminder Dublin were still a threat, but a Costello point was all they had to show for this mini spell as Kerry kept the board ticking to remain a in a healthy position.
The clock was against Dublin who were four behind with as many minutes to go, but the wides kept coming.
They did manage to get the gap down to a goal in the final minute, but it was Kerry hands on the kick-out as Clifford raced clear to hit the insurance point.
It was another day in which Kerry’s know-how saw them through, while Dublin may look back at an opportunity missed.
Teams and scorers
Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Graham O’Sullivan (0-2), Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O’Shea, Sean O’Brien (1-0); Joe O’Connor, Paudie Clifford (0-5, 1x2p), Diarmuid O’Connor; David Clifford (1-5, 1x2p), Sean O’Shea (0-4, 1x2p, 1f), Dylan Geaney (0-1).
Subs: Brian O Beaglaoich for G O’Sullivan (43), Keith Evans for S O’Brien (47), Evan Looney for P Murphy (59), Armin Heinrich for G White (59), Tomas Kennedy (0-1) for D Geaney (63)
Dublin: Evan Comerford; Alex Gavin, Eoin Kennedy, David Byrne; Lee Gannon, Theo Clancy, Charlie McMorrow (0-2); Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard (0-2); Niall Scully (0-1), Ciarán Kilkenny, Colm Basquel (0-3); Paddy Small (0-2), Con O’Callaghan (0-2, 1x2p), Cormac Costello (0-7, 1x2p, 1×45).
Subs: Cian Murphy for A Gavin (50), Ross McGarry for P O Cofaigh-Byrne (55), Sean Bugler (0-1) for E Kennedy (58), Sean Guiden for P Small (63)
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)
