PLAYER RATINGS

Brian Kelly

The Legion man gave another assured display for the Kingdom between the sticks. Kerry didn’t do as well off his kick-outs as they did in the semi-final, but that wasn’t his fault necessarily. Made a really fine save in the second half from Michael Quinlivan.

Shane Enright

Enright was again in top form and not just in his defensive duties which he carried out to near perfection – even if one must consider that Tipperary weren’t exactly bombing forward – he also got forward to assist Darran O’Sullivan for his point.

Mark Griffin

All in all another good day from the Ballyfoilmore man. Dealt well with most of the long ball being rained down on top of him and Quinlivan in the second half and while Quinlivan did fashion a shot at goal, Griffin didn’t make it easy for him.

Killian Young

Picked up nominal Tipp centre-forward Philip Austin from the start and wasn’t really troubled defensively. Again got forward for a point and again showed his impressive football intelligence in cutting out a couple of potentially dangerous Tipp attacks.

Brian Ó Beaglaoich

The An Ghaeltacht star is beginning to find his feet at this level. Provided Kerry with a nice bit of cut and thrust going forward in the lead up to Paul Geaney’s first goal, seemed to have picked up Kevin O’Halloran and dealt with him pretty well.

Aidan O’Mahony

Coming back into the side following his suspension we suspect that the Rathmore man is going to be hard to shift. Plays the sweeper role better than any other Kerry player, great vision and awareness he always seemed to be in the right place.

Tadhg Morley

Of the two newcomers Morley looks the more likely to hold his place for an All Ireland quarter-final or semi-final. Wasn’t especially troubled by Brian Fox and looks so assured on the ball. Wasn’t at all fazed by the occasion. A keeper.

Kieran Donaghy

This wasn’t as good a performance from the Stacks man as he gave against Clare. Granted he still won four kick-outs and worked hard as ever, it’s just that with Maher and Moran sniffing for a place he might find it hard to retain his jersey.

Bryan Sheehan

Started off a little on the back foot as Kerry struggled to contain Tipperary runners in the middle third of the pitch, but as Tipp retreated he came more into his own and by the end of the game was Kerry’s more impressive midfield performer.

Paul Murphy

A near flawless performance from the converted defender. It was probably the best performance given by a Kerry man at number ten since Paul Galvin was in his pomp. Calls for a return to the defence are lessening in their intensity. Class act.

Colm Cooper / Mikey Geaney

Cooper was shaping up to be having a decent game before injury forced his withdrawal. Some of his passing was top notch. His replacement Mikey Geaney was none too shabby in that department either assisting Paul Geaney for his first goal.

Donnchadh Walsh

Another game where Walsh didn’t score or win a kick-out would be a cause for concern were it not for the clever way he links the play in attack. Was involved or instrumental, directly, in a lot of Kerry’s scores (including Murphy’s goal).

Darran O’Sullivan

With James O’Donoghue and Barry John Keane out to earn a place in the starting fifteen the pressure is on for O’Sullivan. On Sunday it didn’t really click for him as it has been doing recently. Took a point, but will be slightly disappointed we feel.

Paul Geaney

There’s not much to say here other than that Geaney gave probably his finest performance in the green and gold. Another couple of games like this and he’ll be nailed on for an All Star come next November.

Stephen O’Brien

The Kenmare man didn’t live up to the promise of his semi-final performance. He probably should have done better with his goal scoring chance just after half-time. Can do better than this, we know that for a fact. He will come good again.

Subs

David Moran did well enough (assisted Paul Geaney’s second goal). Jonathan Lyne looked more than assured on replacing Ó Beaglaoich. Barry John Keane was a ball of energy and merited his point. James O’Donoghue looked like he’d never been away. Anthony Maher continued his progress.