Quarter-finals have been awkward assignments for Kerry in recent years against Cavan and Galway but today veered sharply in a different direction. This was a straightforward exercise for Kerry, they were merciless in claiming a 27-point win that represented their biggest championship success since the Miltown massacre against Clare in 1979.
It was a strong statement of intent by Kerry as they ruthlessly mowed down Kildare by going goal crazy in the second-half. The shakiness of the drawn Munster final is a distant memory and the reigning All-Ireland champions are in full flight as they head for the last four.
Kerry's David Moran and Darran O'Sullivan celebrate their win. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
2. Kildare brought crashing back down to earth
Last weekend in Thurles, Kildare football was in a euphoric state. Their supporters savoured landing a knockout punch against an elite side and the players were enthused that they had turned a corner after a difficult year.
Today it was Kildare that were left dazed as they were floored by a heavyweight. Kildare could have felt satisfied when they trailed by 0-5 to 0-3 after 21 minutes but they didn’t score again for the remainder of the first-half to trail by seven at the break.
They were reeling after the concession of an early second-half goal to Donnchadh Walsh but then pitched in with two points to be 1-10 to 0-6 adrift. After that Kildare collapsed and the roof caved in as they shipped a scarcely believable tally of 5-2 in a chaotic 15-minute period.
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It all means that 2015 has brought about league relegation and a pair of hidings as they exited the Leinster and All-Ireland series. After the progress of defeating Cork, uncertainty envelopes the Lilywhites again.
Jason Ryan reacts as Kerry hit their 7th goal. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
3. O’Donoghue injury the only cloud on Kerry’s bright day
Sweeping past Kildare by 27 points in a quarter-final makes it impossible to pick holes in Kerry’s performance. Still amidst the elation of their victory, there was a sombre note for Kerry in the sight of James O’Donoghue being carted off with a busted shoulder.
The Legion man has a history of problems with his shoulder and after soldiering without him for the entire league, Kerry want O’Donoghue hitting full speed for the championship. It’s a worry and scans will reveal the full extent of the damage.
O’Donoghue went off at a stage when Kerry were ahead by 0-9 to 0-3 and clearly they weren’t troubled by his absence as they piled 7-7 on the board thereafter. But bigger tests lie ahead and a big player like O’Donoghue will be needed.
James O'Donoghue in pain after injuring his shoulder. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
4. Gooch and Darran return to Croke Park in style
The better attacking news for Kerry was the return to form of two of their more recognisable attacking names. Colm Cooper and Darran O’Sullivan showed the way in the glut of goals that were registered in the second-half, bagging a pair apiece and they also chipped in with 0-4 between them.
It was Cooper’s first game at the stadium since the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin and O’Sullivan has suffered plenty injury woes as well of late. Both looked to be flying here and that’s a huge boost for Kerry.
Stephen O’Brien, returning to the starting side since the Munster final replay, was also excellent, particularly with some quality points in the first-half when the game was more competitive.
Colm Cooper celebrates after scoring a goal for Kerry Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
5. Another one-sided encounter to add to the list
Time was that the All-Ireland senior football championship erupted to life on the August Bank Holiday weekend with a quarter-final bonanza. This curtain-raiser today certainly wasn’t a game to warm the heart and was terribly lopsided.
That’s no fault of Kerry, they were clinical and ruthless today. Kildare are on a learning curve but have clearly regressed from a few years ago. Ultimately it was a game that paints a negative picture for the state of football nationally.
Yes, there have always been one-sided games in the GAA but this was the biggest winning margin since the quarter-finals were introduced in Gaelic football in 2001. For the winners to chalk up 7-16, points to quite a gulf in standards.
5 talking points as Kerry cruise to All-Ireland semi-final and Kildare suffer humiliating loss
1. Kerry issue strong statement of intent
Quarter-finals have been awkward assignments for Kerry in recent years against Cavan and Galway but today veered sharply in a different direction. This was a straightforward exercise for Kerry, they were merciless in claiming a 27-point win that represented their biggest championship success since the Miltown massacre against Clare in 1979.
It was a strong statement of intent by Kerry as they ruthlessly mowed down Kildare by going goal crazy in the second-half. The shakiness of the drawn Munster final is a distant memory and the reigning All-Ireland champions are in full flight as they head for the last four.
2. Kildare brought crashing back down to earth
Last weekend in Thurles, Kildare football was in a euphoric state. Their supporters savoured landing a knockout punch against an elite side and the players were enthused that they had turned a corner after a difficult year.
Today it was Kildare that were left dazed as they were floored by a heavyweight. Kildare could have felt satisfied when they trailed by 0-5 to 0-3 after 21 minutes but they didn’t score again for the remainder of the first-half to trail by seven at the break.
They were reeling after the concession of an early second-half goal to Donnchadh Walsh but then pitched in with two points to be 1-10 to 0-6 adrift. After that Kildare collapsed and the roof caved in as they shipped a scarcely believable tally of 5-2 in a chaotic 15-minute period.
It all means that 2015 has brought about league relegation and a pair of hidings as they exited the Leinster and All-Ireland series. After the progress of defeating Cork, uncertainty envelopes the Lilywhites again.
3. O’Donoghue injury the only cloud on Kerry’s bright day
Sweeping past Kildare by 27 points in a quarter-final makes it impossible to pick holes in Kerry’s performance. Still amidst the elation of their victory, there was a sombre note for Kerry in the sight of James O’Donoghue being carted off with a busted shoulder.
The Legion man has a history of problems with his shoulder and after soldiering without him for the entire league, Kerry want O’Donoghue hitting full speed for the championship. It’s a worry and scans will reveal the full extent of the damage.
O’Donoghue went off at a stage when Kerry were ahead by 0-9 to 0-3 and clearly they weren’t troubled by his absence as they piled 7-7 on the board thereafter. But bigger tests lie ahead and a big player like O’Donoghue will be needed.
4. Gooch and Darran return to Croke Park in style
The better attacking news for Kerry was the return to form of two of their more recognisable attacking names. Colm Cooper and Darran O’Sullivan showed the way in the glut of goals that were registered in the second-half, bagging a pair apiece and they also chipped in with 0-4 between them.
It was Cooper’s first game at the stadium since the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin and O’Sullivan has suffered plenty injury woes as well of late. Both looked to be flying here and that’s a huge boost for Kerry.
Stephen O’Brien, returning to the starting side since the Munster final replay, was also excellent, particularly with some quality points in the first-half when the game was more competitive.
5. Another one-sided encounter to add to the list
Time was that the All-Ireland senior football championship erupted to life on the August Bank Holiday weekend with a quarter-final bonanza. This curtain-raiser today certainly wasn’t a game to warm the heart and was terribly lopsided.
That’s no fault of Kerry, they were clinical and ruthless today. Kildare are on a learning curve but have clearly regressed from a few years ago. Ultimately it was a game that paints a negative picture for the state of football nationally.
Yes, there have always been one-sided games in the GAA but this was the biggest winning margin since the quarter-finals were introduced in Gaelic football in 2001. For the winners to chalk up 7-16, points to quite a gulf in standards.
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