Kerry 0-20
Galway 0-16
KERRY ARE BRINGING Sam back to the Kingdom.
After eight seasons filled with setbacks and disappointments in Croke Park, Kerry returned to the summit of Gaelic football this afternoon.
Jack O’Connor steered his side to All-Ireland senior football glory with a powerful closing quarter display that saw them outscore Galway by 0-8 to 0-2.
Their star man delivered with David Clifford amassing 0-8 in a superb shooting display. He did not finish the game’s top scorer though, that accolade belonging to Shane Walsh with the Galway forward producing a magical performance in front of goal as he kicked nine points.
Midfielder Cillian McDaid also enjoyed a storming All-Ireland final outing as he weighed in with four points but ultimately Kerry wore Galway down as the second half unfolded.
The inter-county football season concluded in the novel setting of late July with a contest that gave the championship a fine send-off. The match was sprinkled with some brilliant examples of point-kicking, 14 different players across the two teams raising white flags on the door.
Galway, appearing in their first final since 2001, contributed richly to the occasion. They had edged a point ahead by the interval, 0-8 to 0-7, and constructed a two-point advantage by the 47th minute. Even after that when they faltered as Kerry cranked up the gears, Galway dragged themselves level at 0-16 apiece courtesy of rapid-fire points from Walsh and McDaid.
Level with five minutes of normal time on the clock, Galway’s hopes were rising but Kerry steadied themselves and closed the game out. They benefitted from a break with a referee call, Sean Hurson penalising John Daly for a foul on Killian Spillane when the decision looked like it could easily have gone the other way.
David Clifford nailed the dead ball regardless as the pressure intensified, then Killian Spillane and Gavin White rushed forward either side of the 70th minute to fist the ball over the bar into the Hill 16 end.
Seán O’Shea tapped over the late free that critically pushed Kerry clear by the comforting margin of four and Galway’s series of hopeful punts forward failed to yield the goal they craved.
If they enjoyed some good fortune with that late free decision, Kerry were still the deserving victors. They were tested ferociously by Galway but grew into the game as it progressed, weathered the opposition storm and prospered as the second half unfolded.
David Clifford lit up the game with some of his point-taking, Killian Spillane made an impact off the bench and Paudie Clifford began to weave his way in attack. Graham O’Sullivan put in a towering shift in defence while Gavin White grew in stature in the second half.
Kerry’s first-half shooting was an issue as they chalked up seven wides but they did gain some joy out of high ball pumped into their forwards with Clifford and Paul Geaney both pointing marks in the opening period.
For final debutants, Galway’s players accomplished plenty. Walsh knocked over the first point of the game courtesy of a ’45, his glorious score in the 17th minute sent them 0-5 to 0-2 clear and was the fourth he had posted on the board. John Daly was highly impressive in directing play from centre-back and while Kerry responded with the next three scores, Galway were in front by the break with Jack Glynn and McDaid nailing impressive scores.
The third quarter featured some outstanding passages of play. The teams were level four times in the opening ten minutes of the second half before Kieran Molloy and Walsh sent Galway two clear.
Yet Kerry found a way to gain a stronger grip on the exchanges. Winning the final quarter by six points was reflective of their control to land the prize this group had long desired.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-8 (0-3f, 0-2 mark), Seán O’Shea 0-3 (0-3f), Paudie Clifford 0-2, Killian Spillane 0-2, Graham O’Sullivan 0-1, Paul Geaney 0-1 (0-1 mark), Diarmuid O’Connor 0-1, Stephen O’Brien 0-1, Gavin White 0-1.
Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-9 (0-4f, 0-1 ’45), Cillian McDaid 0-4, Jack Glynn 0-1, Kieran Molloy 0-1, Johnny Heaney 0-1.
Kerry
1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
2. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)
5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), 6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
8. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), 9. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)
10. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil), 11. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks – captain), 12. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare Shamrocks)
13. Paudie Clifford (Fossa), 14. David Clifford (Fossa), 15. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
Subs
18. Killian Spillane (Templenoe) for Geaney (half-time)
19. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe) for Moran (half-time)
24. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys) for Paudie Clifford (blood) (43)
13. Clifford for Savage (46)
20. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes) for O’Brien (56)
17. Paul Murphy (Rathmore) for Ó Beaglaoich (63)
21. Joe O’Connor (Austin Stacks) for Paudie Clifford (72)
Galway
1. Conor Gleeson (Dunmore McHales)
2. Liam Silke (Corofin), 3. Sean Kelly (Moycullen), 4. Jack Glynn (Claregalway)
5. Dylan McHugh (Corofin), 6. John Daly (Mountbellew/Moylough), 7. Kieran Molloy (Corofin)
8. Paul Conroy (St James’), 9. Cillian McDaid (Monivea-Abbey)
10. Patrick Kelly (Mountbellew/Moylough), 11. Matthew Tierney (Oughterard), 12. Johnny Heaney (Killannin)
13. Rob Finnerty (Salthill-Knocknacarra), 14. Damien Comer (Annaghdown), 15. Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne)
Subs
23. Finnian Ó Laoí (An Spidéal) for Finnerty (46)
19. Cathal Sweeney (Salthill-Knocknacarra) for Conroy (58)
24. Eoin Finnerty (Mountbellew-Moylough) for Heaney (63)
20. Niall Daly (Kilconly) for Tierney (74)
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)
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Great game . Very proud of our lads on their first football All Ireland in 21 years . Gaillimh Abú
@Finnster: I said I would begrudgingly shout for Kerry but I couldn’t help willing Galway on to win it. Good game. Galway played well and did themselves proud.
@Desheen: fair play to you Desheen. You couldn’t be shouting for those cute Kerry hoors . A great game in fairness , I’m more of a hurling man but couldn’t resist getting into it . It was a great game
@Finnster: if you’re more hurling then don’t bothet trying to comment on the tactics of football
@Ricky Rose: yawn Rosie
Not a Kerry or Galway fan but I think the ref funked it. Crucial decision around the 65 min mark where comer had won back the ball under the stand and was pushed in the back when attempting to pick it up. Ball broke back to Galway and John Daly correctly penalised for holding the arm of one of the Spillanes. Small margins
@IronMan2020: brutal take
@IronMan2020: keep digging…we can still see you!
@IronMan2020: that just can’t be a free in all Ireland final..
@Padjo Mulk: He grabbed the kerry players arm looking to fool the ref into a free out. Could call it harsh but it was a foul. Personally i thought he could have let it go.
@Padjo Mulk: Maybe so that was my initial thought and I’ve only seen it once.
@Johnny Mads: let it go would have been grand
@Padjo Mulk: Ya he was quick to blow the whistle. Prob would have untangled after another split second. Fine margins !
@Damien Leen: surprised …short sightness a real problem
@IronMan2020: ref can’t get everything right. He also penalised white for a fair shoulder just before which Galway scored. Kerry were a bit fitter and had a better involvement from their bench. Walsh was incredible and he nearly got Galway home
@IronMan2020: No matter what margins you call it, Kerry deserved to win either way! Galway supporter here
Kerry deserved it no question. One quibble is the advanced mark. There is no need for it and it results in ridiculously simple scores. But when the rules there, you got to use it .. and Kerry made full use of it
@Declan O’Brien: Clifford is rewarded for outstanding skill in fielding the ball by getting an opportunity to shoot instead of being immediately surrounded and smothered or fouled as was happening previously. Also it was introduced to give an incentive for a long kick pass instead of just handpassing through the lines leading to endless recycling of the ball and back and forth between the 65 and 45.
@Declan O’Brien: the advanced mark should be limited limited to catches head height and over.
I wouldn’t be against getting rid of it.
@jl:
@Dave McAuliffe: Wouldn’t be against that idea. There were a few during the championship where the attacker catches it in his midriff and that would drive you mad
@Dave McAuliffe: Yeah, I personally dislike the mark and would like to see it gone. Kerry used it well today though, so fair play to them. Overall the better team won, disappointing and all as it is. Galway ran outta steam in the last 20 mins
@Declan O’Brien: David Clifford certainly did. Would never have been introduced in the days before the blanket defence. Clifford one a mark with 3 Galway players in immediate attendance. If no mark he simply have been surrounded and dispossessed. Therefore there would probably be no long balls in to the full forward line which imo would take away from the game.
@Karlos McGrath: Very little impact from the subs bench for Galway. Comer played the whole game without scoring. Contrast that with Geaney hitting about 3 first half wides and being subbed at halftime.
Kerry had 9 scores to Galway’s 5. If Galway can strengthen their bench they could win an all Ireland. Playing in Div1 will help them also.
@Dave McAuliffe: i think that makes less of the kick pass than what it is. Goal is to land it in the chest of a forward to play with it what they want. I think making it only above the head makes people lob balls in rather than looking for a target which is what makes the kick pass great
@Ricky Rose: I can see what you mean, however a pass into the midriff usually means you have some clear space due to its trajectory.
However a high catch leaves you more vulnerable as you land. Are we allowed to civil debate on here? :)
What a game, both teams were brilliant.
Well done Kerry
David Clifford is just crazy good, everything he does is a class apart. Love watching him. Well done Kerry, enjoy it.
Glad to see positivity on here is good as always! As a neutral that was as good as an all ireland you could hope for given the quality of Kerry. Great effort from Galway and hats off to them this season. But Kerry depth and class showed in the end. Hope to see David Clifford keep raising the bar for the sport, a joy to watch!
@Johnny Mads: Could not agree more. As good as Shane Walsh was, Clifford will get man of the match. The bookies had it a four point game, and they were right. Amazing on their part, but football, thankfully won the day. Congrats Kerry.
As a neutral, that game was clearly a fix.
@Madra: why? Elaborate? Harsh free against galway at the end. But kerry pushed away after.
@Pauly Kel: comment below from IronMan (never thought I’d type that) sums it up fairly.
@Madra: oh my lord.what were you watching??
@Madra: so did he wait until the 65th minute to try and fix it
@Seamus Walsh: the match.
@Pauly Kel: re-watched the game and I 10000% standby the comment of it being a fix for Kerry.
Fair dues to kerry, never panicked when they went a few points behind and kept pluggin away. In the end their quality told. David clifford is unmarkable. Damien comer and Rob finnerity marked out of the game but Shane Walsh is an unreal talent. If Galway are goin to win an all Ireland they have to cut that goalkeeper loose. He’s a liability. His kickouts were poor, punched a ball out in the 1st half when he could of caught it and not to mention his 2 brain farts in the 2nd half when he charged of his line only to get nowhere near the ball, take out the kerry forwards and concede 2 easy points for kerry.
@James horgan: If he hadn’t done the first one there was a definite Kerry goal. In the first 15 minutes Kerry won a lot of his kick outs but in fairness that was mostly down to Kerry’s hunger to get to the ball. Real issue was lack of scoring from 2 forwards that were expected by many to get 5 or 6 between them.
@James horgan: to be fair those “charges” shut down possible goal chances so I think your points are pretty weak
@James horgan: a goal would’ve ended the game so it arguably kept them in it
@Ricky Rose: no chance. The 1st one he came for he had no chance of getting the ball, + the Galway corner back was right next to spillane +even if spillane got the ball he would have have to beat the keeper (had he stayed on his line) with his weak foot while under pressure from the corner back. No way was it going to be a clear goal. Keeper had a nightmare
@James horgan: Agree! I can’t understand why they stick with him. He is a nightmare for his backline. There must be a better keeper in Galway.
Hon Da Kingdom…Sam going Home to Kerry where it belongs…No.38…Kerry the Greatest!!!!
@Damien Leen: and the most humble
@Niall Brady: I think they’re much more humble than you might expect. Prizes for guessing what voice you use when saying that!
@Damien Leen: Until next year lol
Two words, David Clifford. He’s a Rolls Royce of a forward, like Maurice on steroids. Very difficult to mark. Good win for the Kingdom.
@GrumpyAulFella: So too Shane Walsh but his supporting cast not nearly as good
@GrumpyAulFella: He’s potentially the best ever to play the game. I wouldn’t go Brolly’s thinking that he’s the best ever because there’s so much yet to prove. But, he’s not far off.
@Sean O’Toole: I’m loathe to agree with Brolly on anything but Clifford is the best that has ever played the game, he is simply majestic.
Congratulations Kerry, truly fantastic win. Dug deep and won well in the end.
That ghastly rictis grin on Michael Martin’s face, photo bombing Croker out of it. Well done Kerry !!!
@Frank Cauldhame: take a break for one day and just say “well done kerry” like a normal person .. there’s a good lad
@Ciaran: He did say well done Kerry
@Frank Cauldhame: pathetic comment.
@Dave Byrne: I did Dave, don’t know what’s wrong with normal bloke Ciaran? You alright Ciaran…
@Frank Cauldhame: Jesus Frank your some sad individual.
@Frank Cauldhame: those demons playing in your head again. Just enjoy the game and try not to let the Cork man dwell too much in your head.
@Frank Cauldhame: is there anything that man would do that you wouldn’t begrudge him for?. Like yeah he’s not very good at his job but at this point you’d moan about him breathing
@Frank Cauldhame:
Congrats Kerry well deserved
Damien Comer could have been taken off at half time. Anonymous
Surely twas Jps money that won it for them
@Mick Mullins: I heard he left a full bag of cryptocurrency behind in farranfore.
Time for Galway, and Cork to specialize in hurling. Only the specialists win it these days. Well done to my team Galway. A deserved win for Kerry to be fair.
@Damian Moylan: I’m not from Galway but wouldn’t I be correct in saying that the football and hurling areas are fairly well declined in that County and the County teams very rarely compete for players?
@Damian Moylan: I’d agree in principle but watching how good those footballers of ours were today it’s hard to be like KK and eliminate football for the better of hurling
@jl: Yes, you’re correct.
Will Kerry be the next Dublin and have the monopoly over the next few years in winning SAM?
@Dave Byrne: Don’t think so. They aren’t even the best team in the country now. Dublin are better, came within a point of Kerry without arguably their best player, Con O’Callaghan. Maybe Kerry will prove me wrong, but I doubt it. This was a very, very competitive championship.
@Dave Byrne: I heard he flew into farranfore and he left a bag full of cryptocurrency behind.
@Sumsoar Khan: Brian Fenton came along in 2015 it was not till last year were he lost his first championship match. Championship be interesting next year.
@Sumsoar Khan: True but 4/5 of the Dublin lads have a lot of miles on the clock.
@Dave Byrne: Who’s going to beat them?
@Dave Byrne: time to split Kerry in two.
@Dave Byrne: Kerry have a lot of catching up to do, ” 6 in a row” Dublin the masters.
Jeez did paddy power watch the game before I put on my bet…. – 4. Ffs ‘ ‘
@Walshie: the bookies always win …
Where is Mel?
Like 3 goals in all players spend most of the time in one half of the field
Crap sport
@rory: crap person
@Damien Leen: hahahahahahahaha I didn’t know we’d met?
@rory: not hard to figure u out boy…off with ya!
@rory: what’s it like having no brain?
@Alison Maguire: that’s a brilliant insult fair play what age are ya 6 hahahahahahah
@rory: imagine taking time out of your Sunday to come on the internet, look for the article, scroll down, log in, etc. Its a sad life.
@Cathal Carr: fair sad alright. Some people gain self worth from actual acts of kindness or interest, others from thinking they make a difference in the world through comments that they think might get a rise out of people. I know which I’d rather
Galway undone by their goalkeeper
Well done Kerry – it was a great game to be at.
A small thing – RTE had a mobile camera man on the field who was in Comers face during the band march before the game. Did it make Comer very nervous during the match. – no close-up cameras on the pitch please