PLAYER RATINGS

Brian KELLY

The Legion man did fine for his second consecutive Championship game, finding a team mate for the most part with his kickouts and looking assured in whatever he was called upon to do. Could do little to stop Neil Flynn’s close range goal

Jason FOLEY

Reinstated to the full back line after missing the Monaghan game with injury. The Ballylongford man was badly caught flat-footed and turned easily for Kildare’s goal before half time, but he did quite well beside and pushed forward when required

Peter CROWLEY

Wore the no.3 jersey but played a looser role between the full back line and half back line. Struggled with the Kildare runners in the first half but mopped up plenty of ball in the second half with the Kildare attack stretched

Tom O’SULLIVAN

Carried the excellent form he showed in Clones into this game but like the rest of the team looked a little tentative in the first half. Pushed forward more after the break with a few of those trademark bursts forward on the ball

Paul MURPHY

Finished a disappointing season - by his own high standards - with a decent if unspectacular performance. Saw his direct opponent Keith Cribbin taken off before half time but didn’t produce too many of those penetrating runs he’s capable of

Killian YOUNG

Operated as the nominal centre back but struggled to curtail the excellent Paul Cribbin. Got caught up in the incident on the sideline that led to Neil Flynn’s red card but it was an unremarkable to a rotten, injury-hit season for the Renard man

Gavin WHITE

Never reached the heights he did against Monaghan but did fine once Kerry got to grips with 14-man Kildare in the second half. It’s been an impressive enough debut season for the Dr Crokes man who has played just five senior games for Kerry

David MORAN

Got back to somewhere close to what he’s capable of and fielded some great ball around the middle. Won the penalty that David Clifford scored and added a point from play but it’s been a mediocre Championship for the O’Rahillys club man

Jack BARRY

One of Barry’s better games of the summer and a performance he needed to put in for his own confidence. Handled plenty of ball in the middle third and came forward to score three points form play

Micheál BURNS

Regained his place in the half forward line after losing out in Clones and repaid that faith in him with two points from play. Was involved plenty in his debut season and showed plenty of promise to be able to make it as a Kerry senior player

Seán O’SHEA

Showed how valuable his dead ball kicking is and will be to the team by converting three frees and two ‘45’s. Operated between the ‘40s’ with his usual industry but never influenced the game as he had done in the Munster Championship

Stephen O’BRIEN

A relatively quiet evening for the Kenmare Shamrocks man who will reflect on his summer with mixed emotions. Chipped in with a point in the second half but never really troubled the Kildare defence with his trademark turn and solo run

David CLIFFORD

Picked up the Man of the Match award with a brilliantly mature performance in which he scored 2-6, including 1-5 from play and a confidently taken penalty goal when Kerry really needed a lift. A future star has already arrived

Kieran DONAGHY

Struggled with the Route One approach early on when Kerry rained down a few high balls on him. Didn’t reappear for the second half in what was his 69th Championship appearance but it’s also possibly the last time we’ll see him in the Kerry jersey

Paul GEANEY

Another sub-par performance from a player capable of so much more. Finished with a point from play and a converted free but never terrorised the Kildare defence they way he can.

Subs: James O’Donoghue made the most telling impact off the bench with a well taken second half goal, while Kevin McCarthy also came in at half time to add greater attacking threat as Kerry chased down a four-point half-time deficit. Darran O’Sullivan - making his 70th Championship appearance, Tadhg Morley, Anthony Maher and Brian Ó Beaglaíoch came in late on