Odhran Lynch: Carried out high-risk instructions that mostly paid off, with a few hairy moments when he was out of goal. Better in possession than a year ago, but still made some poor decisions to shoot in the second half. 6.5
Chrissy McKaigue: What do you do, like? He broke ball off Clifford, he was strong, held him up at times, and the Kerry man still got four from play, a mark and three frees of his own making. 6
Eoin McEvoy: Nervy start, spun by Geaney for White’s goal chance and then lost him again on the goal. Settled into it, kept Geaney scoreless and provided two big assists in the second half. 7
Conor McCluskey: It’s rare you’d see Paudie Clifford as quiet in Croke Park, but McCluskey has had that effect on good forwards all year. An Allstar if his face fits. 8.5
Conor Doherty: Had to step across and mark Sean O’Shea early. Did it well in the first half. Great score off his left leg in the second period but had another wide and looser defensively. 6.5
Gareth McKinless: Being carted off on a buggy with a bad looking leg injury was a sad end to an extraordinary performance, his best in a Derry jersey. Ran relentlessly at Kerry every time he got the ball. Got one goal, denied another, and at the heart of everything good. 9
Padraig McGrogan: It was a shame that in kicking an early point, he was forced off injured. Would have been a great battle between him and Sean O’Shea, whom he couldn’t contain for White’s goal. 6
- Guess who starred for Kerry in edging out Derry? Kerry player ratings
Conor Glass: Had a huge battle with Diarmuid O’Connor that probably ended up about even. Kerry wanted to avoid him on their restarts which kind of penned him out of the game at times. 7
Brendan Rogers: Took this semi-final by the scruff of the neck. Absolutely exceptional, beyond words almost. His carrying, his fielding, his defensive work, Rogers was just phenomenal. 9
Paul Cassidy: Lost Gavin White twice in the early moments, punished for one with a goal and lucky not to be for the other. Came into it. Kicked two great scores, and made sure White never really hurt Derry again after it. 6.5
Ciaran McFaul: Played the role to perfection, making Tadhg Morley mark him by constantly picking up dangerous positions. Kicked two points and linked so much play in the middle third. Big block on Foley. 7.5
Ethan Doherty: Came up against his match in Graham O’Sullivan. All day it was half-a-yard off knitting for him but he just could never find the right pass to open Kerry up, though did contribute a few assists. 6
Niall Toner: Tagged by Paul Murphy, Toner worked really hard defensively and put himself about but just couldn’t make any real impact. Swipe at a half goal-chance blocked down. 5.5
Shane McGuigan: His first half was the hardest first half that Jason Foley has had in two years. Three points from play, a fourth from a free he won. The Slaughtneil man went through the wars, taking several heavy slaps. 8
Niall Loughlin: Couldn’t muscle in on an early goal chance. Had a chance to put Derry two up at a key stage but it just tailed. Well marshalled by Tom O’Sullivan. 5.5
Subs
Padraig Cassidy: Never got to the pace of it, although Derry’s failure to properly reorganise on O’Brien when he went off again hurt them too. 5
Benny Heron: Did really well on a high ball in his own defence. Just couldn’t climb high enough to reach Lachlan Murray’s cross to the far post late on. 6
Lachlan Murray: Just hesitated for a split second when he had a great chance and got half-blocked, enough to make it drop short at a key time. 6
Shea Downey: Not on long enough to be rated.
Ben McCarron: Not on long enough to be rated.
