All-Ireland SFC Final: Kerry 0-20 Galway 0-16
‘SAM’ is heading to his most familiar resting – and partying – place again after Kerry ended their eight-year wait by holding off Galway to win a thrilling All-Ireland SFC Final.
The Tribesmen gave their all but Kerry sent over the last four scores of a fabulous match in which the team were level on no fewer than nine occasions.
Kerry icon David Clifford was outscored by Galway’s Shane Walsh, who registered 0-9 to 0-8, but the Fossa man at last got his hands on the big trophy – after it was collected by skipper Sean O’Shea.
Galway started superbly, with corner-back Liam Silke making a dangerous blindside run, only for his shot to be blocked over by Sean O’Shea – but Walsh pointed the subsequent ‘45’.
The Tribesmen had an even better sight of goal in the eighth minute, when half-back John Daly guided a superb kick-pass to Johnny Heaney, but this time Stephen O’Brien made a brilliant diving block to divert the shot over the bar.
David Clifford opened Kerry’s account from a ninth minute free, but a point then as free from Walsh put Galway 4-1 up.
Although DC converted another free, the Kingdom were wasteful in the first quarter, and their fifth wide was followed by a sumptuous Walsh score from the left wing.
Kerry were going long in attack, but Paudie Clifford was being contained by Jack Glynn, while Paul Geaney missed a couple of chances.
However, Kerry finally found their sights and reeled off three scores, including a beauty from David Clifford, to draw level for the first time after 20 minutes, at five points apiece
It was tit for tat after that, including a fine effort from Tribe corner-back Glynn, and Galway got their noses in front before the break with a well-worked score started and finished by midfielder Cillian McDaid, to leave it 0-8 to 0-7.
Jack O’Connor sent on the Spillane cousins for the second half, Adrian and Killian, for David Moran and Geaney respectively, while Padraig Joyce held his options in reserve.
Initially the changes lifted Kerry, with four of the first six scores of the second half, capped by a stunning effort from David Clifford, to put them ahead for the first time, 0-11 to 0-10 in the 42nd minute.
Yet Galway responded in style, with four of the next five points, bookended by two from McDaid and a huge score from Walsh, and one from wing-back Killian Molloy, to go two ahead, 0-14 to 0-12.
Kerry’s reaction was phenomenal, with Paudie Clifford to the fore, reeling off four scores without reply.
Galway, incredibly, then quickly levelled, Damien Comer finally escaping the shackles of Jason Foley, but it was the Kingdom who finished the strongest, pulling away to reclaim Sam.
A questionable free in allowed David Clifford to re-take the lead for Kerry and fisted points from Killian Spillane and Gavin White stretched that advantage before O’Shea sealed a 38th All-Ireland senior football triumph for the Kingdom.
Kerry: S Ryan; G O’Sullivan (0-1), J Foley, T O’Sullivan; B Og Beagla ioch, T Morley, G White (0-1); D Moran, J Barry; D O’Connor (0-1), S O’Shea (capt.) (0-3 frees), S O’Brien (0-1); P Clifford (0-2), D Clifford (0-8, 0-4 frees, 0-1 mark), P Geaney (0-1 mark).
Substitutes: A Spillane for Moran (h-t); K Spillane (0-2) for Geaney (h-t); M Burns for O’Brien (57); P Murphy for O Beaglaioch (63).
Galway: C Gleeson; L Silke, S Kelly (capt.), J Glynn (0-1); D McHugh, J Daly, K Molloy (0-1); P Conroy, C McDaid (0-3); P Kelly, M Tierney, J Heaney (0-1); R Finnerty, D Comer (0-1), S Walsh (0-9, 0-1 ‘45’, 0-4 frees).
Substitutes: F O Laoi for R Finnerty (47); C Sweeney for Conroy (58); E Finnerty for Heaney (63); N Daly for Tierney (74).
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).
