Graph points up for Kerry as Jack O'Connor hails best half of the year so far

The Kerry boss was pleased with the industry he saw in the opening period against Monaghan

Paudie Clifford of Kerry in action against Monaghan players, from left, Ryan Wylie, Stephen O’Hanlon and Joel Wilson during the SFC Round 1 match at Fitzgerald Stadium, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

For Kerry manager Jack O’Connor, it was the Kingdom’s best half of the season. For his Monaghan counterpart Vinny Corey, the first period was as bad a 35 minutes as he’s seen from Monaghan. Stir them into a post-match cocktail and you get a 0-15 to 0-2 interval landslide. Stick a fork in it after that. This roast was done early.

In its wake, both the Kerry manager and keeper Shane Ryan mentioned the corresponding championship first rounder a year ago – a home loss to Mayo and a 28-year championship record in Killarney snapped. It was an unsaid motivation for this one.