{"id":567053,"date":"2026-07-25T04:32:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T04:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/567053\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T04:32:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T04:32:31","slug":"all-ireland-sfc-final-how-did-kerry-get-here-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/567053\/","title":{"rendered":"All-Ireland SFC final: How did Kerry get here? \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Munster SFC semi-final: Clare 1-14 Kerry 2-19<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/kerry-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/kerry-gaa\/\">Kerry\u2019s<\/a> championship season started with a provincial semi-final against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/clare-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/clare-gaa\/\">Clare<\/a> at Zimmer Biomet P\u00e1irc Ch\u00edos\u00f3g in Ennis, where the Kingdom swept past the Banner with ease.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">The Clifford brothers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/david-clifford\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/david-clifford\">David<\/a> and Paudie, dictated play, with the two Fossa boys combining for 2-10 for the Kingdom.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Paul Madden\u2019s Clare side fought well against the reigning All-Ireland champions but struggled to keep up with their kick-led attack.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/gaa\/gaelic-football\/the-making-of-jack-oconnor-fairytale-victory-with-tiny-kerry-school-may-still-be-his-most-cherished-all-ireland-title-KY2PIV6U25FNHCFAOIRYWN7SRE\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"The making of Jack O&#x2019;Connor... Fairytale victory with tiny Kerry school may still be his most cherished All-Ireland title \" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PUTLZIX66JDJZNINBNEKJDONJM.jpg\"  width=\"800\" height=\"450\"\/><\/a><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/gaa\/gaelic-football\/12-things-to-watch-out-for-in-kerry-mayo-all-ireland-final-2GCJ5UIFCVEKTNPPPNKIDQI2YQ\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"12 things to watch out for in Kerry-Mayo All-Ireland final\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RNV4N3J2XRALJL3NZVXIKQ5E24.jpg\"  width=\"800\" height=\"450\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Read more:<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Munster SFC final: Kerry 1-23 Cork 1-15<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">It was a sixth provincial title in a row for Jack O\u2019Connor\u2019s team as they defeated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/cork-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/cork-gaa\/\">Cork<\/a> in the Munster SFC final by eight points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">All-Ireland SFC first round: Kerry 0-16 Donegal 2-20<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Despite their latest Munster triumph, the green and gold were brought back down to earth by a wounded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/donegal-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/donegal-gaa\/\">Donegal<\/a> side eager to prove themselves contenders after a humbling by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/down-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/down-gaa\/\">Down<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">In a fiery affair in Killarney, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/jim-mcguinness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/jim-mcguinness\/\">Jim McGuinness\u2019s<\/a> side came out on top with Michael Langan shining in the forward line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Kerry lost their way when Miche\u00e1l Burns was sent off for a clash with Ryan McHugh that left the Kilcar veteran cut over his left eye.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">From then on in, it was win or bust for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/all-ireland-football-championship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/all-ireland-football-championship\/\">Sam Maguire<\/a> holders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">All-Ireland SFC round 2B: Kildare 0-17 Kerry 3-22<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Up next were the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/tailteann-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/tailteann-cup\/\">Tailteann Cup<\/a> champions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/kildare-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/kildare-gaa\/\">Kildare<\/a> at Cedral St Conleth\u2019s Park in Newbridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">The Leinster side fought back through Darragh Kirwan and Jack Robinson, but struggled to keep up with the growing gap.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Eventually, the Lilywhites drowned under the downpour of goals in the final quarter, with David Clifford, Diarmuid O\u2019Connor and Gavin White all raising a green flag to send the second-tier champions packing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">All-Ireland SFC third round: Kerry 4-18 Armagh 0-17<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Next, recent rivals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/armagh-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/armagh-gaa\/\">Armagh<\/a> came to Killarney in the third round, making it three knockout games in three years between the two footballing giants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">In the end, the Orchardmen were miles off Jack O\u2019Connor\u2019s side\u2019s kicking game, with David Clifford\u2019s tally of 1-10 and the other three majors scored proving to be the difference at Fitzgerald Stadium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Armagh crashed out of the championship by 13 points, and Kerry looked more and more like retaining their title.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Kerry 2-25 Tyrone 0-27<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/ulster-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/ulster-gaa\/\">Ulster<\/a> team stood in the Kingdom\u2019s way at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/croke-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/croke-park\/\">Croke Park<\/a>, with pundits seeing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/tyrone-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/tyrone-gaa\/\">Red Hands<\/a> as a threat to Clifford and Co\u2019s chances of an All-Ireland title.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">No matter how hard Darren McCurry tried when he came off the bench, his 0-10 in 26 minutes wasn\u2019t enough to drag Tyrone into a second All-Ireland semi-final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Kerry went on to the last four, where they were drawn against familiar opposition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Dublin 0-20 Kerry 2-18<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">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 Se\u00e1n O\u2019Brien to cut out a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/dublin-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/dublin-gaa\/\">Dublin<\/a> lead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Ger Brennan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph\">Kerry now take on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/mayo-gaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishnews.com\/tags\/mayo-gaa\/\">Mayo<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Munster SFC semi-final: Clare 1-14 Kerry 2-19 Kerry\u2019s championship season started with a provincial semi-final against Clare at&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":567054,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[4365,6937,42189,121459,102201,61,60,43],"class_list":["post-567053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ireland","tag-gaelic-football","tag-kerry-gaa","tag-all-ireland-football-championship","tag-all-ireland-final","tag-gaa-fixtures","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=567053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567053\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/567054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=567053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=567053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=567053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}