Munster SFC semi-final: Clare 1-14 Kerry 2-19

Kerry’s championship season started with a provincial semi-final against Clare at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis, where the Kingdom swept past the Banner with ease.

The Clifford brothers, David and Paudie, dictated play, with the two Fossa boys combining for 2-10 for the Kingdom.

Paul Madden’s Clare side fought well against the reigning All-Ireland champions but struggled to keep up with their kick-led attack.

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Munster SFC final: Kerry 1-23 Cork 1-15

It was a sixth provincial title in a row for Jack O’Connor’s team as they defeated Cork in the Munster SFC final by eight points.

With Cork leading by three at the break and Paudie Clifford and Armin Heinrich making way at the interval, Kerry needed to take it up a few gears.

Step up, David Clifford, who scored an early goal and finished the day with 1-6 as the Kingdom swung the game back in their direction and secured the title.

All-Ireland SFC first round: Kerry 0-16 Donegal 2-20

Despite their latest Munster triumph, the green and gold were brought back down to earth by a wounded Donegal side eager to prove themselves contenders after a humbling by Down.

In a fiery affair in Killarney, Jim McGuinness’s side came out on top with Michael Langan shining in the forward line.

Kerry lost their way when Micheál Burns was sent off for a clash with Ryan McHugh that left the Kilcar veteran cut over his left eye.

From then on in, it was win or bust for the Sam Maguire holders.

All-Ireland SFC round 2B: Kildare 0-17 Kerry 3-22

Up next were the Tailteann Cup champions Kildare at Cedral St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge.

The Leinster side fought back through Darragh Kirwan and Jack Robinson, but struggled to keep up with the growing gap.

Eventually, the Lilywhites drowned under the downpour of goals in the final quarter, with David Clifford, Diarmuid O’Connor and Gavin White all raising a green flag to send the second-tier champions packing.

All-Ireland SFC third round: Kerry 4-18 Armagh 0-17

Next, recent rivals Armagh came to Killarney in the third round, making it three knockout games in three years between the two footballing giants.

In the end, the Orchardmen were miles off Jack O’Connor’s side’s kicking game, with David Clifford’s tally of 1-10 and the other three majors scored proving to be the difference at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Armagh crashed out of the championship by 13 points, and Kerry looked more and more like retaining their title.

All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Kerry 2-25 Tyrone 0-27

Another Ulster team stood in the Kingdom’s way at Croke Park, with pundits seeing the Red Hands as a threat to Clifford and Co’s chances of an All-Ireland title.

The Munster champions had a slow start, but a 20th-minute goal through their talisman David Clifford gave Kerry a lead that they never lost again.

No matter how hard Darren McCurry tried when he came off the bench, his 0-10 in 26 minutes wasn’t enough to drag Tyrone into a second All-Ireland semi-final.

Kerry went on to the last four, where they were drawn against familiar opposition.

All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Dublin 0-20 Kerry 2-18

Goals won the day for Kerry, one at the start from a David Clifford rebound after a saved penalty, and one early in the second half from Seán O’Brien to cut out a Dublin lead.

The Boys in Blue showed that they were capable of playing with the elite again after questions had been raised in recent years, but as the game went on, Kerry just proved to be one step ahead of their rivals.

Ger Brennan’s team got so much right at Croke Park with the Hill in full voice, but Kerry were that bit slicker in converting opportunities, and in this tight match, the efficiency mattered deeply.

Kerry now take on Mayo, with fans expecting another Sam Maguire Cup to come back to the south coast, but they will need to take on a Mayo side that is running on full steam.