Football

Kerry ratings: O'Brien continues stunning form to lead Kerry across the line

Stephen O'Brien celebrates the only goal of the game for Kerry. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Stephen O'Brien celebrates the only goal of the game for Kerry. Picture by Seamus Loughran Stephen O'Brien celebrates the only goal of the game for Kerry. Picture by Seamus Loughran

Shane Ryan: Had nothing to do in terms of shot-stopping or dealing with anything tricky that came in high. Won 20 of his 24 kickouts but Tyrone pressed up so seldom that it was a handy day. 6.5

Jason Foley: Cathal McShane ended up with 0-4 from play and a handful of assists, and yet Foley did as much as any man could have given the space he was trying to contend with in front. Won a good few of the contests. 7

Tadhg Morley: Struggled with Mattie Donnelly’s timing and power throughout the first half. Moved on to McShane late on and made slightly better work there. Fouled a fair bit. 6

Gavin Crowley: Popped up on a few balls but found it a mental taxation knowing when Niall Sludden was going to make his move. Would’ve been delighted to see the Dromore man taken off. 6

Paul Murphy: His positioning in the first half was completely up the left. Far too far out to have any impact as the sweeper. Went into a more orthodox wing-back slot after half-time and was vastly improved. 6

Tom O’Sullivan: You could almost hear Peter Keane giving him the old club manager speech: ‘If Peter Harte goes to the toilet, you follow him’. Did exactly that. Diligent, disciplined and strong. 8.5

Brian Ó Beaglaoich: Switched constantly with Shane Enright in terms of picking up Frank Burns, but neither was hugely effective. Made a great last-ditch block on a goal chance all the same. 6.5

Shane Enright: Dropped back on the wing but didn’t have any real impact on the game at all and was replaced at half-time. 5

David Moran: Michael Cassidy did well to nullify him for most of the first 45 minutes, but the Kerins O’Rahillys man had a significant role in their strong finish. 7

Adrian Spillane: Really struggled against Richie Donnelly and wasn’t efficient with the ball. Taken off at the break. 5

Sean O’Shea: Was quiet for a long time in terms of open play, but came more into it when he started to drift to full-forward. Kicked a number of superb frees. 7

STAR MAN


Stephen O’Brien: In Footballer of the Year contention. Quietish first half but outstanding second, capped by a goal where he won the turnover and then popped up 100 yards later to finish. 9

David Clifford: Troubled somewhat by a calf injury, Ronan McNamee had him in the first 20 minutes but thereafter, Clifford started to do what he does. Kicked some outstanding scores off both feet. 8

Paul Geaney: Struggled to get into the game at all in the first half, his only score coming off a Niall Morgan error, but was a bigger factor after the break. 7

Killian Spillane: Rarely breached the Tyrone defensive line. Spritely enough to try it a few times but didn’t have the effect of recent weeks. 5.5

Subs


Jack Sherwood: Gave Kerry a real spark in an unfamiliar midfield role. Got his hands on as much ball as he could and put pace into them. Kicked a fine score. 7

Gavin White: Some unknown affliction kept him out of the starting side but he was a big influence on the second half, in terms of Kerry running at Tyrone. 7

Tommy Walsh: Won and popped off a host of ball at full-forward, and then went scavenging around the middle too. 7.5

Jonathan Lyne: Not on long enough to be rated.

Jack Barry: Not on long enough to be rated.