PLAYER ASSESSMENTS

Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

Kerry’s retention rate from Ryan’s restarts was very high, so that part of his game as spot on. He also pulled off a fantastic save early doors from Monaghan’s Conor McCarthy. Played a part in Monaghan’s goal, but you couldn’t find fault with that.

Paul Murphy (Rathmore)

Murphy is Kerry’s number 2 for the season it looks pretty certain at this juncture and the Rathmore man is playing out of his skin. Scored two from play, held Seán Jones scoreless and was again just commanding in his area. Top marks.

Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)

Another guy you couldn’t find much fault with, held Conor McManus scoreless (albeit that McManus was off colour) and again looked more than solid. Could he have nabbed a goal when put in by Paudie Clifford? He probably did as well as anyone could.

Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)

Seemed to be picking up Stephen O’Hanlon who managed just a point from play. Meanwhile, down the other end the Dingle man bagged three points from play, playing a very sweet one-two with David Clifford in the build up to one of them.

Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)

Looked to be picking up Barry McBennett at times, but it was all fairly fluid on the half-back line. Another really fine game by the West Kerry man, winning some great turnover ball, one of those memorably on McBennett.

Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)

This was more like it from the Templenoe man. To be fair, though, Monaghan didn’t exactly make life too difficult for him, allowing him the freedom to play in his preferred plus one role. Looked sharp, on top of his game, cleaned up effectively.

Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

Back closer to his best and notably one of the players highlighted post-match by Jack O’Connor as having impressed. We can’t disagree. Won good turnover ball even if his main marker, Micheál Bannigan bagged a brace.

Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)

Probably the Tralee man’s most commanding seventy minutes in green and gold all season long. Did miss a chance or two to score, but was fully on top around the middle and did quite an amount of unseen work off the ball and in defence.

Joe O’Connor (Austin Stacks)

A nearly kind of performance from the big Rockie. Had that chance for a goal that he probably should have taken. Took on some good posession that nearly resulted in some good moves, but took it into a few cul de sacs. Dropped deep on Gary Mohan.

Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes)

A joy to watch, carried on the role he had in Ennis this time with a half-forward’s shirt on his back. A real creative force. Scored two points, and assisted David Clifford for one of his two points from play. Top notch stuff again byh the Crokes man.

Paudie Clifford (Fossa)

The captain is getting closer to top-form again. Kicked two points, assisted and created while working his socks off. Could he have finished that goal chance on 48 mintues? The pass he got from his little wasn’t the best, so he can’t be faulted.

Dara Moynihan (Spa)

Possibly not on the same level as his performance against Clare, which was exceptional, but still pretty good. Shot a point from play and as ever worked his socks off until called ashore in the second half.

David Clifford (Fossa)

Shot five, two from play, did some very nice things, assisting Tom O’Sullivan a point, and his brother a shot at goal having turned over the ball. We would though have liked to see him attempt to chip Beggan late on instead of assisting Seán O’Shea a point. It was the percentage play, but do we want Clifford playing the percentage plays?

Seán O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks)

Finished with four points, but three of those came late on and only one of those was from play. Wasn’t vintage stuff (missed an early free), but was more than adequate. Like the rest of his colleagues tackled well and worked hard.

Paul Geaney (Dingle)

We had Geaney pencilled in as an impact player this year and maybe come the big stuff that’s what he’ll be. On Saturday though he was vying with Tony Brosnan for Kerry’s top performer up front. Five points from play, looking lean and mean.

Subs: One would have thought Cillian Burke would have been a bit more eager to make his mark when introduced but he didn’t back himself. Needs to be more assertive. Barry ‘Dan’ O’Sullivan looked solid on replacing Joe O’Connor. Armin Heinrich made his championship debut and got stuck in. Stephen O’Brien toiled hard while Darragh Roche didn’t really factor in his few minutes.