Kerry dash Donegal’s hope of a third title

All-Ireland SFC final

Kerry 1-26
Donegal 0-19

By Michael McMullan
at Croke Park

KERRY ended Donegal’s chances of a third All-Ireland title on Sunday to get their hands on Sam once again.

Joe O’Connor’s late goal put the icing on the cake for the Munster champions who were never behind.

Dylan Geaney opened the Kerry account in the first attack with the lively Gavin White adding two scores.

Oisín Gallen and Conor O’Donnell were lively in Donegal’s attack but Kerry starved them from possession for long spells.

David Clifford kicked two two-pointers, winning a two-point free for Seán O’Shea.

Michael Murphy added three points as Kerry began to miss chances at the other end.

David Clifford had the final say of the half, opening a 0-17 to 0-10 lead.

Hugh McFadden came on at half time but Seán O’Shea hit the first score of the half for the Kingdom.

Murphy and David Clifford traded points but Kerry held their eight-point lead and in control.

Murphy, Shane and Conor O’Donnell kicked scores, taking Donegal to within four points with 50 minutes gone.

O’Shea nailed a two-point free before Paudie Clifford fisted the Kingdom seven points up before substitute Morley made the goal for O’Connor.

Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-8 (6f), Conor O’Donnell 0-4, Oisín Gallen 0-3, Shane O’Donnell 0-2, Caolan McGonagle 0-1, Dáire Ó Baoill 0-1

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-9 (3tp), Seán O’Shea 0-6 (2tpf, 2f), Gavin White 0-3, Paudie Clifford 0-3, Dylan Geaney 0-3, Joe O’Connor 1-0, Sean O’Brien 0-2

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Caolan McColgan; Caolan McGonagle, Michael Langan; Shane O’Donnell, Ciarán Thompson, Ciarán Moore; Conor O’Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisín Gallen

Subs: Dáire Ó Baoill for Thompson (INJ 23), Hugh McFadden for McColgan (HT), Jason McGee for R McHugh (INJ 41), Patrick McBrearty for Gallen (50), Jamie Brennan for Gallaher (58)

Kerry: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Brien; Joe O’Connor, Seán O’Shea, Graham O’Sullivan; David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, Dylan Geaney

Subs: Diarmuid O’Connor for O’Brien (50), Killian Spillane for D Geaney (54), Evan Looney for Ó Beaglaoich (63), Tadhg Morley for Breen (65), Micheál Burns for G O’Sullivan (69)

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)