Football

How the Kerry players rated against Dublin

Kerry'sDavid Moran during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park Dublin 09-01-2019. Pic Philp Walsh
Kerry'sDavid Moran during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park Dublin 09-01-2019. Pic Philp Walsh Kerry'sDavid Moran during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park Dublin 09-01-2019. Pic Philp Walsh

Dublin 1-16 Kerry 1-16:

Shane Ryan: Couple of wobbles on the kickouts but largely held his cool, albeit that was made a bit easier with a spare man. Couple of good punches, and made a great save from O’Callaghan. 7

Tadhg Morley: Paul Mannion finished with two points with play but was largely a very frustrated figure as Morley stood him up and put pressure on at the right times. 7.5

Jason Foley: Struggled to deal with Dean Rock’s unorthodox movement, where he’d peel wide and kick the ball as soon as it was in his hands. 6

Paul Murphy: A more effective sweeper in the sense that his positioning was better than against Tyrone, but still gave away a few frees. Drove forward well on occasion. 6.5

Gavin Crowley: Did a really good job in sticking tight to Ciaran Kilkenny all day, denying the Dublin playmaker any real influence. A few tired errors late on. 8.5

Tom O’Sullivan: Matched up on Con O’Callaghan, and while he had an odd moment, it was largely a real struggle. Lucky to stay on and was definitely spooked by that late on, standing off in the last 15 minutes. 6

Brian Ó Beaglaoich: Picked up Niall Scully and will be happy with an unheralded afternoon’s work. Scully’s trademark late runs were nowhere to be seen. 7

Jack Barry: Had a magnificent first half, both in terms of the job he was expected to do on Fenton and then in the air, where he gave Kerry a huge platform. Had moments in the second half too. 8

David Moran: Made a few superb marks in both halves and barrelled out over the top of a few Dubs, but his use of the ball wasn’t just quite at its best and he carried into tackles late on. 8

Adrian Spillane: Kept his place in the side against most expectations but showed his merits with a tireless first half in which he created a number of turnovers. 6.5

Gavin White: Handed the unenviable task of trying to curtail Jack McCaffrey, and then Dublin started to target his lack of stature on kickouts. Hard to see how he stays in for the replay. 5

Sean O’Shea: An excellent display in which he gritted his teeth and got the better of James McCarthy, notching three points from play. Nailed his frees too under big pressure. 9

Stephen O’Brien: Worked like a dog but found John Small to be the same torment that others have found him. One late run almost let him in and he appeared to have been fouled for a penalty that wasn’t given. 7

David Clifford: Movement was good early on but his decision making was nervy. Settled and caused Jonny Cooper real bother, winning the penalty and then seeing his man sent off. Wasn’t given enough second half ball. 7

Paul Geaney: Saw his early penalty brilliantly saved by Cluxton but redoubled his efforts and worked like hell for the rest of it, throwing himself into tackles and blocks all over the place. 7

Subs


Killian Spillane: His first run was down a blind alley and his second was incisive, letting him in for a brilliantly taken goal. Added a point. 6.5

Jack Sherwood: Added a bit of energy again, and his physicality was a bonus. 6.5

Tommy Walsh: Huge impact. Set up the goal and another point, and kicked one himself. 7.5

Jonathan Lyne: A steadying presence in the defence late on. 6

Dara Moynihan: Not on long enough to be rated.

Mark Griffin: Not on long enough to be rated.