PLAYER RATINGS

Shane MURPHY

Captain on his debut, the Dr Crokes man cut an assured presence between the sticks. Played his part of a brilliant kick-out strategy for the Kingdom as they retained a hugely impressive eighty percent of their restarts. Didn’t have a save to make.

Jason FOLEY

The Ballydonoghue man wasn’t handed the number 3 shirt as might have been expected based on the national league. Instead he got a corner-back’s berth and really thrived in his battle with Keelan Sexton who didn’t score in the game.

Peter CROWLEY

Before the game a lot of people expected Crowley to make the move to the half-back line with Tadhg Morley making the move in the opposite direction, but the Laune Rangers man stayed where he was and had a good game at full-back.

Ronan SHANAHAN

Shanahan’s championship debut should probably have come before now given how well he did in last year’s league, but he finally got his chance at the weekend and looked comfortable in the role. Like all his defensive colleagues wasn’t much tested.

Paul MURPHY

The Rathmore man provided his usual cut, dash and leadership from the half-back line. Got up the field to assist and seemed to play a sweeper’s role at times, especially in the second half. Was, as ever, a vital outlet for short kick-outs.

Tadhg MORLEY

Morley was missed in a big way by the Kingdom during the National League. He provides a really calming presence in and around the D. Contributed to a much improved defensive performance again with the provisio that Clare didn’t test Kerry.

Gavin WHITE

This wasn’t just the Crokes youngster’s first championship game it was his first senior game for Kerry full stop and he looked supremely confident and composed. The first half block he had on Jamie Malone showed his steely side.

David MORAN

The Strand Road man looked to have been assigned a more defensive role by the management team on Sunday, dropping a touch deeper. Still found the time to claim four kick-outs (including a mark). Will probably play this kind of role for the season.

Jack BARRY

This was probably Jack Barry’s best game in the green and gold to date. After a slow start, he really came into the game and dominated the skies. Won seven kick-outs, including four marks, and could easily have scored a goal when he cut through.

Micheál BURNS

Burns was a real contender for the man of the match award on his debut, had he stayed on the pitch until the end there’s a good chance he would have been. Still in his forty five minutes he was involved in seven scores (two points, five assists). Classy.

Seán O’SHEA

Like a duck to water, O’Shea was Kerry’s joint top-scorer with seven points. Most of those were from placed balls, but the forty five he kicked and the free from the same distance were absolutely immaculate. Knited everything together beautifully.

Stephen O’BRIEN

The Kenmare man was our man of the match. He’s a real handful for any defence to keep an eye on and gave Clare debutant Conall Ó hÁinféin a difficult afternoon of it. Scored three and was involved in a number of other scores.

David CLIFFORD

A really encouraging start to his senior inter-county career from the nineteen year old Fossa man. Scored two (one from play) and twice sniffed out half chances for goals. Has the football and the pace to cause serious problems for any defence.

Paul GEANEY

This was Geaney back to near his best – that we think him capable of better is a reflection of just how good he can be. Geaney was hungry for ball and for work. He kicked six from play and a kicked a free. A real class act.

James O’DONOGHUE

Given his injury issues and given how little football he’s played this was a really super performance by O’Donoghue. Buzzed with energy and enthusiasm throughout his fifty one minutes on the pitch. Bagged two from play and two from frees. He’s back.

All of Kerry’s substitutes did really well on Sunday. bagged a point and assisted for the Duagh man’s point. scored a hat-trick of points. looked sharp and hungry. likewise, while was understated in his quarter of an hour given that in defence he didn’t have much to do.

Subs:

Anthony Maher Kieran Donaghy Mikey Geaney Barry John Keane Darran O’Sullivan Brian Ó Beaglaoich