Shane Ryan: An all-round modern goalkeeping masterclass from the Rathmore man. Got most of his kick-outs to a team-mate. More importantly, struck an uplifting point from play during a period of Derry dominance and saved superbly from McKinless after 50 minutes. 8
Graham O’Sullivan: Kept Ethan Doherty fairly quiet even when Derry were posing serious problems early on. Made a couple of important interceptions, from McCluskey and McKinless, but did kick a bad wide. 8
Jason Foley: Detailed to follow McGuigan and started well but then struggled after kicking a bad wide himself. Despite his physical approach, and impressively winning possession with his pace, the Slaughtneil man scored three points from play. Got the better of it in second half. 7
Tom O’Sullivan: Bravely blocked a shot from Niall Loughlin and held his man scoreless, whilst also getting forward – but did not deliver his usual score. 6.5
Paul Murphy: Dropped deeper as Niall Toner played inside and had the measure of the Lavey man, who rarely threatened. Sent a hand-pass long and out early in second half and was replaced by O Beaglaioch. 6.5
Tadhg Morley: Wasn’t deployed in his usual sweeper role and was troubled by McFaul’s movement, with the Maghera man kicking two scores from play. Kept out Rogers’s shot before McKinless scrambled the ball in. 6
Gavin White: Looked like he’d destroy Derry himself early on, racing through to force a great save in the second minute, then palming in a goal to cancel out the Oak Leafers’ opener. Always alert to attacking opportunities, although Paul Cassidy did get two points off him. 7.5
Diarmuid O’Connor: The difference against Tyrone but far less effective against Derry captain Glass. Did score one point but was black-carded for a hand-trip on Rogers. Battled hard but made little impression going forward. 6
Jack Barry: That most dogged of midfield dogs tailed Rogers effectively early on but once his opposite number got his game going Barry was trailing in his wake. Still effective aerially. Booked for clattering into McGuigan. 6
Dara Moynihan: Sent an early kick-pass long and wide and wasn’t up to the challenge of restricting the forward forays of McKinless. Subbed on the hour. 6
Sean O’Shea: Assisted for the goal but otherwise quiet before the break, apart from earning a free off McEvoy. Better in the second period, finding space to kick scores, and converted the highly dubious free that lifted Kerry late on. 7
Adrian Spillane: Never got into the game, sending an early mark well wide. Even against the out-of-sorts Padraig Cassidy made little impact, then struggled against Rogers. Subbed at half-time. 5.5
Paudie Clifford: May be haunted by the initials CM. Tyrone’s Conor Meyler bested him two years ago and Conor McCluskey got the better of him too. Did score one point and deliver some kick passes, but far less influential than he normally is. 6.5
David Clifford: STAR MAN
Even his manager Jack O’Connor expressed astonishment at some of what this man does. His Derry counterpart Ciaran Meenagh said: “He may be the greatest player who has ever played the game or if he’s not, he’s definitely in that conversation.”
Up against one of the best man-markers of the modern game, Chrissy McKaigue, the Fossa prodigy still scored four points from play in a tally of 0-9. Booked for a shoulder to the chest of McGuigan but never stopped working, inspiring, scoring. 9
Paul Geaney: Troubled McEvoy early on, spinning him to set up goal chance and involved in White’s goal, but was curtailed by his young marker thereafter and was replaced midway through second half. 6
Substitutes:
Stephen O’Brien: Replaced Spillane for second half and took time to get going but won a crucial – albeit controversial free – to spark Kerry’s late scoring spree and added a point himself. 7
Brian O Beaglaioch: Provided some physicality and drive in the final quarter. 6.5
Tony Brosnan: On for Geaney but fared little better, kicking a late wide. 6
Michael Burns: Made minimal impression after coming on for Moynihan. 5.5
Ruairi Murphy: Not on long enough to be rated.
