Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Serene Clifford guided Kerry through a serious storm

The Munster champions were in trouble at half-time, but I wasn’t panicked.

SERENE: David Clifford of Kerry celebrates late in the second half. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

After 63 championship games we are at the destination many expected from the off, a Kerry v Dublin All-Ireland final. 

Monaghan and Derry both played their parts in a great weekend of football but ultimately the two superpowers of Gaelic football prevailed. Kerry survived an intense battle against a team with ferocious pace and athleticism all over the field. It will stand to them.