Kerry Overcome Dublin in All-Ireland Semi-Final Thanks to Goals
Kerry defeated Dublin 2-18 to 0-20 in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park, with goals proving decisive. They will face Mayo in the final on 26 July.
Goals made the difference as Kerry kept their hopes of back-to-back All-Ireland titles alive with a 2-18 to 0-20 victory over Dublin in Sunday's semi-final. In scorching heat at Croke Park, Jack O'Connor's side did enough to see off a determined Dublin, who will rue 12 wides and two missed goal chances.
David Clifford was kept relatively quiet for long periods but still finished with 1-6, while his brother Paudie orchestrated play with five points. For Dublin, Con O'Callaghan was well contained, but Cormac Costello (0-7) and Colm Basquel (0-3) stepped up. However, Kerry always seemed a step ahead.
The first half was a cautious affair with both teams building patiently. Kerry were more economical, and despite David Clifford scoring only one point before the break, contributions from Graham O'Sullivan, Dean O'Shea, and Paudie Clifford kept them in touch. Dylan Geaney should have scored a second goal but shot over after a goalkeeping error.
Dublin strung together three points before half-time to edge ahead, but Sean O'Shea levelled at 0-11 to 1-8. In the second half, Kerry's goals proved decisive as they controlled the game and secured the win. They will now face Mayo in the final on 26 July.
Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Graham O'Sullivan (0-2), Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O'Shea, Sean O'Brien (1-0); Joe O'Connor, Paudie Clifford (0-5, 1x2p), Diarmuid O'Connor; David Clifford (1-5, 1x2p), Sean O'Shea (0-4, 1x2p, 1f), Dylan Geaney (0-1). Subs: Brian O Beaglaoich for G O'Sullivan (43), Keith Evans for S O'Brien (47), Evan Looney for P Murphy (59), Armin Heinrich for G White (59), Tomas Kennedy (0-1) for D Geaney (63).
Dublin: Evan Comerford; Alex Gavin, Eoin Kennedy, David Byrne; Lee Gannon, Theo Clancy, Charlie McMorrow (0-2); Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard (0-2); Niall Scully (0-1), Ciarán Kilkenny, Colm Basquel (0-3); Paddy Small (0-2), Con O'Callaghan (0-2, 1x2p), Cormac Costello (0-7, 1x2p, 1x45). Subs: Cian Murphy for A Gavin (50), Ross McGarry for P O Cofaigh-Byrne (55), Sean Bugler (0-1) for E Kennedy (58), Sean Guiden for P Small (63). Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).
