Kerry master the small moments to make it to the big day

What pleased Jack O’Connor most about David Clifford’s display? His second half, he stressed. Not that the five points he kicked in the first half weren’t magnificent. Of course they were. But when they needed more game-defining graft, he brought it.

PASSION: Kerry’s Diarmuid O'Connor and Graham O'Sullivan celebrate at the final whistle. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Here we go. Here we go again. Oh, Dublin and Kerry. What else did you expect? We are in store for another saga in Irish sports’ key rivalry. The history, a boiling battle for the ascendancy, so many stories. Those two will take centre stage in two weeks’ time. Here we go again.

Press pause. Please, take a moment. This condensed season has somehow found a way to feel both rushed and exasperatingly dawdled.