Forward thinking key for Kingdom

IT DOESN’T tell the whole story, but All-Ireland football champions Kerry as good as claimed victory in Croke Park yesterday by taking full advantage of their goal chance late in the game.

The fact that Kieran Donaghy scored four minutes after Ciaran Hanratty had missed a great chance for Monaghan when the teams were level proved highly significant in earning them a place in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Galway.

As big a heartbreak as it was for the Northerners, it was another lesson in the harsh reality of sport. Pat O’Shea’s team triumphed for the reason that they were generally expected to, namely a more potent attack. And they did it in spite of Colm Cooper wasting a penalty chance in the 21st minute, and both Donaghy and Donncha Walsh being unfortunate not to get the ball in the net minutes earlier.