Kerry’s bid to win back-to-back All-Ireland titles came up short on Sunday.
Here’s how we rated them.
1. Shane Murphy – 6.5
Called into action to claim some dropping shots from the Mayo forwards, but the Dr. Crokes goalkeeper would have liked to have the Darragh Beirne goal back, given his saving abilities.
Although he made up for it with a stellar stop of a Kobe McDonald shot.
2. Paul Murphy – 7
A man for the big occasion, Murphy was a composed figure throughout for Kerry in spite of Mayo’s brilliant attackers.
3. Jason Foley – 5.5
Struggled with the potent Mayo inside forward line on a difficult afternoon.
4. Dylan Casey – 6.5
Opened the scoring after slicing through the Mayo defence, Casey was touch-tight to Kobe McDonald before his blood sub removal which took the wind from his sails.
25. Tom O’Sullivan – 5.5
A late inclusion to the fold, O’Sullivan made a rusty start kicking two wides in quick succession but kept going and finished with 0-01 before an early departure.
Paul Murphy was the pick of the Kerry defence
6. Mike Breen – 8
Worked as a linkman in possession, and a calming presence defensively, the Beaufort defender was arguably the brightest spark in green and gold.
7. Gavin White – 6
Got on a lot of ball but not his best final. Working hard, the Dr. Crokes man made way shortly after the hour mark.
8. Mark O’Shea – 6.5
As predicted by some pundits, Kerry failed to stifle Mayo’s running threat and put their own stamp on the final. Although O’Shea seemed to thrive in the “piggery” possessions, of which neither side gave an inch.
9. Seán O’Brien – 6
An early goal chance strayed wide but O’Brien’s aerial prowess led to the final score of the first half.
10. Joe O’Connor – 6.5
Not a trademark performance from the Austin Stacks forward, but always a threat with his destructive runs. Tried to drag Kerry back into the game when it started slipping away from them.
11. Seán O’Shea – 6
Slowly coming back to his best after an injury hit season, O’Shea and his trusty right boot accounted for 0-03 of Kerry’s tally in an excellent start to the game.
However, he will be disappointed with three wides either side of the break when Kerry needed him most.
David Clifford scored 1-06 for Kerry
5. Graham O’Sullivan – 6
Started the game with some handshake antics, and after a quiet first half, seemed to thrive under the Cusack Stand in the second 35.
13. Paudie Clifford – 7
His twinkle toes set up Kerry’s first goal chance, and having been given the freedom of Dublin in last year’s final, Clifford senior was again ever-present at GAA HQ.
Did not have the same impact as the Donegal decider however, with Mayo’s defence marking him step by step. Refused to give in and took the game down to the wire with a much needed late point, his third.
14. David Clifford – 8
In a final described as the master against the prodigy, the reigning player of the year scored with his first touch and never looked back.
His opening goal of the game settled the initial Kerry nerves, and he barely put a foot wrong across the 70, in spite of a heavy knock on the stroke of half-time. Finished with 1-06 to his name, but in a losing effort.
15. Dylan Geaney – 5.5
Came off second best after an early challenge from Darragh Beirne and struggled to make his usual mark on the game, and finished scoreless in his 50 minutes.
Substitutes:
Evan Looney – N/A
A first half temporary replacement, not on long enough to rate.
Keith Evans – 7.5
Introduced at the break and quickly called into action with a brave block down on Kobe McDonald before getting his first point moments later. Best sub of the game.
Tomás Kennedy – 7
Brought on by Jack O’Connor to try and save the game with his height and ability to win possession.
Brian Ó Beaglaoich – N/A
Not on long enough to rate.