Three key takeaways: The formidable task of containing Clifford

Clifford had less influence for a spell in the second half, at one point berating Diarmuid O’Connor for a particularly poor pass. Then he took over.

UNSTOPPABLE FORCE: David Clifford of Kerry in action against Lachlan Murray of Derry. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The unstoppable force versus the immovable object. All week long the podcasts and previews had pencilled in one showdown as a certainty. Christopher McKaigue would try to halt David Clifford. Before Sunday the 2022 Player of the Year had scored 5-30 in the championship.

The first point of the semi-final came from Clifford as he cut inside and curled over a beauty. For the second ball, referee Joe McQuillan awarded a free out. Clifford managed to shake off the Slaughtneil man shortly after for another shot, but it dropped short.