Kerry v Cork player ratings: Another David Clifford tour de force
STAR MAN: Kerry’s David Clifford kicks a score. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
No chance with the Brian O’Driscoll goal, and his second-half kickouts were pretty much where they needed to. Tough wind to be facing in the first half on restarts. 6
Stood off Chris Óg Jones, conscious of minding what was behind him, early doors, but on the ball, the Crokes rookie was composed and productive. Good footballer. 7
Kept Steven Sherlock peripheral, and dashed back for an important first-half turnover that led to a point for Burns. However it was his positioning as an outlet that was most impressive. Big game when experience was required. 7.5.
Took a bad bang in the first half, and didn’t return until second half. Mark Cronin did well, but he was well curbed as the game wore on. 6.
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In the way of these things, found himself under contested ball with Ian Maguire or haring out on the counter-attack until his legs gave way. Like Foley, his nous in the heat of battle was critical. Good shift again from the Templenoe man. 7.
Fumbled a short restart which cost a point but that apart, marshalled the half-back line well with Morley, while Heinrich raided. Surged on for a point after half-time and returned after picking up a neck injury. Big shift while all around him were dropping. 7
Two first-half points an indictator of Kerry’s most advanced half-back, but probably should have dished a goal chance to Burns for the second point. Off at the break with a knock, presumably. 6.5.
Outstanding work ethic. Tough beat on Kerry kickouts in the first half, but used his basketball smarts to bat down passes and keep possession. However his stunning work-rate and doing the simple stuff well makes his invaluable. 7.5
Eventually went off but a man of the match candidate for me. Already with a strapped hamstring he won clean possession, spectacularly and repeatedly, to drive Kerry forward after the break. Also responsible for at least two thundering defensive hits in the first half that probably denied Cork scores. 8
Industrious and though he shot Kerry’s first wide, clipped over a fine score from the right. Has become an important component in Kerry’s attack even if another Dr Crokes man stole the show this time. 7
In the main, Cork would be happy with their work on Kerry’s quarterback. Popped over a point but the visitors to Killarney, who shared duties depending on where Clifford was, will be happy with their work. Off at the break. 6.
One of Kerry’s better players in terms of creating an extra man by beating the defender himself but didn’t always finish his build-up work. A bit scruffy with his short distribution. Only forward not to score but that shouldn’t diminish his input. 7.
Another tour de force from Kerry’s totem. The goal is another for a bulging canon. Also launched an outrageous two-pointer that’s dropping over the bar just now. Finished with 1-6 and another piece for the mantle. 8.5
Very busy in the 15 slot against the wind, kicked a nice point from a free and repeated the dose before limping off. Not great with an All-Ireland U20 semi-final on Wednesday in mind. 7.
One of Kerry’s best on the day. Used his pace to drive hard past Cork and for two first half scores but he was still carrying bal out of defence in the final ten minutes. Big day for the Keel man. 8
Gavin White (8) came on earlier than might have suited, but the way he scorched forward for a point was pure White. Tony Brosnan (8.5) scored 0-5 off the bench as Kerry’s creator in Paudie’s absence, Dylan Geaney (6) and Killian Spillane (6) also claimed a score, and Eddie Healy got valuable Munster final minutes, as did Cillian Trant
Tony Leen
His first championship start fared out a great deal better than his League final contribution. There was variety to his first-half restarts sent long, albeit Cork only broke even on this retention count. Long kicks to his right were a problem in the second period. Saved well from David Clifford in the opening half. 6
Was an unexpected choice for the Paudie Clifford brief. A brief he acquitted himself well in. The problems for Shanley arrived upon the change of ends when Tony Brosnan replaced Clifford. The former finished with 0-5. 6
As expected, he stood beside David Clifford from the throw-in. A loose pass allowed O’Mahony to get in an early interception, which finished with a Cork orange flag. Thereafter, however, it was a thankless outing for O'Mahony in the company of the Kerry magician. 5
Was very harshly done by when adjudged to have fouled Tomás Kennedy for Kerry’s eighth point. The misfortune was self-inflicted nine minutes later when turned over by a collection of green and gold, creating a three-on-one Kerry goal chance that Armin Heinrich blazed over. Lost out in his duel with the Kerry U20. Subbed off on 48 minutes. 5
Kicked the opening two-pointer of the contest. His next two attempts - inside and outside the arc - were off target. His perfectly timed hit on Diarmuid O’Connor was the turnover that ended with Seán McDonnell’s two-pointer. Took his goal supremely well. 7
Defensive duties betrayed him. Started on Keith Evans, whose influence was so, so much weightier than his two-point haul. Yet another Cork defender who’ll want to quickly move on from a disappointing outing. 5
Anonymous. Was largely flat-footed when assisting the Cork attack. Micheál Burns was far more prominent than he was in this patch of Fitzgerald Stadium. 5
A dependable option when Pa Doyle went long to his right. Booming win of first-half Kerry kickout, taking out Dylan Casey in the process. Finished the play by pointing. In the minority of middle-third Cork players who kept driving forward to force openings. 6.5
Sixth Munster final start and still no medal. Won the Kerry restart after Brian O’Driscoll’s goal reduced the gap to three. But there just wasn’t enough of these lifting fetches from the Cork captain. Bested by Seán O’Brien in the kickout contest for a second-half spell. 6
Part of a Cork half-forward line that was swamped into submission. Was swallowed whole and called for overcarrying when put through for a second-half goal. Kicked a second half wide. Fouled Keith Evans for a converted Kerry free. Pulled on 59 minutes. 5
Fine two-point kick in the first half. Excellent pressure on Gavin White to ensure the first-half Kerry sub didn’t raise white not long after his introduction. Bar turning over Dylan Geaney deep in his own half, McDonnell faded from view upon the restart. Called ashore on 63 minutes 5.5
Dara Sheedy’s injury paved the way for Deane’s first championship start since the 2024 All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final defeat to Louth. Outside of his assist for Chris Óg Jones’ denied goal chance late in the first half, Deane was without meaningful contribution. Whipped on 48 minutes. 5
Cork’s most effective forward. Very little wastage from the No.13. Sole Cork player to register three scores from play, the first of those an orange flag. Ended Cork’s 12-minute wait for a first second-half score. Head held high coming back across county bounds. 7
Busy first-half. Kicked two points, was fouled for a third. Will be disappointed with two avoidable turnovers, the second of which wound up as a Kerry point. The same as so many players in red, his second-half presence was significantly reduced. 6
With Cork enjoying the wind from the off, it was set up for Sherlock to come centre stage on his first Munster final start. Instead, he was a peripheral figure. Didn’t put boot to ball between conversion of a fourth-minute sideline and 28th-minute two-point free that dropped short. His second half consisted of two wides and another short. Decision-making below par. 5
: Injury to Seán Brady (5) meant he went back out to the stand 17 minutes after being introduced. Conor Corbett’s (5) first kick went wide. His second, from outside the arc and which would have levelled matters on 65 minutes, hit the post. Assisted the white flag of David Buckley (6), who was purposeful and eager to prod when sprung. Seán Walsh (5) will be disappointed to have let fall a Patrick Doyle kickout that landed straight into his basket. Rory Maguire wasn’t on long enough to be scored.
Eoghan Cormican
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