PLAYER RATINGS

Brian Kelly

Did well enough in the game to convince us that he’s going nowhere for the rest of the championship. His kick-outs – apart from one or two – were on the money and did well to save from Maguire and even did well to narrow the angle for Clancy’s chance.

Fionn Fitzgerald

Another solid performance from the Dr Crokes man, albeit one cut prematurely short as a result of a clash of heads. Picked up Luke Connolly from the off and wasn’t overly troubled by the Nemo Rangers man at any stage.

Mark Griffin

Griffin is a player who learns and grows and on Sunday gave another measured performance. Saw off Niall Coakley easily enough and, as ever, cuts a dash on occasion to back up his midfield and half-forwards. Bigger tests await.

Shane Enright

The Tarbert man was handed the stickiest wicket – as he so often is these days – and once again came through the test with flying colours. Paul Kerrigan probably would have caused more bother if given more ball, but that’s not Enright’s problem.

Peter Crowley

Had an interesting afternoon. Started off intitially on Ruairí Deane, but relatively early in the first half seemed to instead be picking up Aidan Walsh. Was his usual combative and forward looking self. Won an impressive six kick-outs. A vital outlet.

Tadhg Morley

Morley had his hands full with Mark Collins – one of the few Cork forwards to make a real impression – but more than held his head above water, collecting two kickouts and surging forward a little more than we’re used to seeing him do. Solid.

Paul Murphy

One should probably never second guess Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s intentions, but it does feel like Murphy is on course to make the number seven shirt his own for the summer. Was a great outlet for Brian Kelly, tackled tenaciously and popped a point.

David Moran

Just recovered from the calf injury that kept him out of the Clare game, this wasn’t the Kerins O’Rahillys man’s best game in the green and gold. Won just a single kick-out (a break), but he did seem to get more into the game as it went along.

Anthony Maher

The Duagh man’s best game since his All Star winning season in 2015. Maher, having won five kick-outs (three marks), laid down a marker on Sunday. As ever his distribution was good and showed his composure with a point early in the game.

Mikey Geaney

Geaney’s rich vein of form continues. Was occasionally put on the back foot by Tomás Clancy, but again played a constructive role for Kerry. Scored a really fine forty five just before being taken off. The number 10 shirt looks his for the forseeable future.

Kevin McCarthy

This was a real step forward from the Kilcummin man. He was solid in Ennis, but this was a cut above solid. Works really hard, but more than that he is constructive, setting up a good number of scores. Does need to take on a shot or two, however.

Donnchadh Walsh

One of the most difficult afternoons Walsh will have put down in the green and gold. Struggled to get to the pace of the game and found Sean Powter a real handful. It’s always tough to be taken off at half-time, but Walsh likely had few compaints.

Paul Geaney

People will focus on the scores he took – as they will those scored by O’Donoghue – but what people don’t talk about enough is the scores he sets up. On top of that he scored 1-4 from play and could’ve had a second or even a third goal. Lethal.

Kieran Donaghy

A surprise inclusion? Yeah probably if we’re being honest, but the Austin Stacks man more than repaid his manager’s faith in him. Set up some good scores – including Paul Geaney’s goal – and popped over a point from the fist himself. Works tirelessly.

James O’Donoghue

Sunday is probably not a day that the Cork defence is going to remember too fondly as James, for the second game in a row, ran the show in the Kerry forward line. Hit three from play but his contribution was much more substantial than that. Class act.

Subs

Again Stephen O’Brien proved the super sub. Will be demanding a starting role. Johnny Buckley looked sharp. Killian Young did a fine job on replacing Fitzgerald. Jack Barry fielded a mark. Darran O’Sullivan looked hungry. Barry John Keane pointed and Jonathan Lyne was industrious.