Kerry are All-Ireland Champions!!

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final

Courtesy of GAA.ie

Kerry 0-20

Galway 0-16

By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park

Hope and expectation has been attached to an exciting crop of Kerry footballers, who finished strongly at GAA headquarters to secure a first All-Ireland title since 2014.

With such a proud tradition eight years without Sam Maguire is significant for Kerry, but they carved out a victory.

Ultimately it means Jack O’Connor has steered Kerry to the summit in his three different spells in charge of the Kingdom. It is a remarkable feat.

Kerry just had too much for Galway in the closing stages as they reeled off four points without reply.

The majestic David Clifford rifled over a pressure free from under the Cusack Stand before substitute Killian Spillane and the pacy Gavin White contributed key scores.

Then, just to seal the deal, Seán O’Shea clipped a free and there was no way back for a gallant Galway.

There was so much to admire in Galway’s football during an absorbing match. Shane Walsh concluded with a nine point haul and performed with commendable class.

Cillian McDaid drove forward to nail four points from play, but it still wasn’t enough. Kerry were able to deal with Galway’s cocktail of passion and purpose.

Unsurprisingly the opening period was tight and hard fought with Kerry squandering plenty of opportunities. That was chiefly due to Galway’s gutsy defensive effort as the Tribesmen inevitably had to cope with an aerial bombardment initially.

At the opposite end of the field Galway, prompted by Walsh’s skill, were efficient mining 0-8 from 11 attempts. Kerry only registered 0-7 from 15.

Galway edged 0-5 to 0-2 in front by the 17th minute, but Kerry summoned a response. Paul Geaney (mark), David Clifford, and Stephen O’Brien all guided over points for Kerry to level.

It was 0-7 each on the cusp of half-time when McDaid struck a sweet point to nudge Galway ahead.

After the restart David Clifford remained hugely relevant as Kerry took a 0-11 to 0-10 lead in the 42nd minute.

Once again, though, Galway started to pose some questions. Four of the next five points were scored by the maroon and white outfit with McDaid, Walsh, and Kieran Molloy central.

The Galwegian burst ensured Kerry trailed by 0-14 to 0-12, but Kerry subsequently enjoyed a productive spell.

Seán O’Shea (free), Graham O’Sullivan, David Clifford (free), and Paudie Clifford raised white flags as Kerry went 0-16 to 0-14 clear.

It remained delicately poised. Walsh struck a free before McDaid restored parity with five minutes left.

Kerry, though, stayed cool and composed. David Clifford’s free from an acute angle was a critical score. Killian Spillane, White, and O’Shea added further Kerry points. The aristocrats left Croke Park with the Sam Maguire Cup.

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-8 (3fs, 2ms), Seán O’Shea 0-3 (3fs), Paudie Clifford, and Killian Spillane 0-2 each, Stephen O’Brien, Gavin White, Graham O’Sullivan, Diarmuid O’Connor, and Paul Geaney (m) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-9 (4fs, 145), Cillian McDaid 0-4, Jack Glynn, Kieran Molloy, and Johnny Heaney 0-1 each.

Kerry: Shane Ryan; Tom O’Sullivan, Jason Foley, Graham O’Sullivan; Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Tadhg Morley, Gavin White; David Moran, Jack Barry; Diarmuid O’Connor, Seán O’Shea, Stephen O’Brien; Paudie Clifford, David Clifford, Paul Geaney.

Subs: Adrian Spillane for Moran (HT), Killian Spillane for Geaney (HT), Jack Savage for P Clifford (43-46, blood), Mícheál Burns for O’Brien (56), Paul Murphy for Ó Beaglaíoch (63), Joe O’Connor for P Clifford (70+3).

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Kieran Molloy, Seán Kelly, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Liam Silke, John Daly; Paul Conroy, Cillian McDaid; Patrick Kelly, Matthew Tierney, Johnny Heaney; Rob Finnerty, Damien Comer, Shane Walsh.

Subs: Finnian Ó Laoi for Finnerty (46), Cathal Sweeney for Conroy (58), Eoin Finnerty for Heaney (63), Niall Daly for Tierney (70+4).

Referee: Seán Hurson (Tyrone).