Donegal march to clinical win over Kerry but ugly clashes could spark GAA sanctions

Micheál Burns was sent off in Killarney for a strike on Ryan McHugh in an unsavoury half-time row that involved several players and officials. The Central Competitions Control Committee could be busy on Monday.

FLASHPOINT: Ryan McHugh of Donegal shows the referee his blooded face during a tussle. Pic: INPHO/James Lawlor

All-Ireland SFC Rd 1: KERRY 0-16 (0-3-10) DONEGAL 2-20 (2-3-14) 

It’s Donegal for the winners’ half of Round 2 and Kerry go into the losers’ section in three weeks’ time after an All-Ireland SFC opener that won’t be remembered for the football.

Micheál Burns was sent off before the start of the second half in Killarney for a strike on Ryan McHugh in an unsavoury half-time row that involved several players and officials. The Central Competitions Control Committee could be busy on Monday.

Leading by five, Donegal turned to face the wind but their numerical advantage, patience but above all efficiency (two wides to Kerry’s 12) ensured the victory would be theirs.

Kerry didn’t score in the second half until substitute Tony Brosnan’s 51st-minute point by which time Donegal had struck over three one-pointers. They hit Kerry for a quartet of points and Shea Malone also spanked the post. He later made amends with a 65th-minute goal to put the lid on a fine excursion south for Donegal.

Malone had been one of six players named to start but was held in reserve. Another three of them were made to the Donegal team and the additions of Jason McGee, Michael Langan and Oisín Gallen really beefed up the visitors’ starting line-up Paudie Clifford and Seán O’Brien’s 11th hour introductions would also have improved Kerry’s chances but the rusty former had an iffy first half and was replaced early.

SHARP REMINDERS: Referee Sean Hurson speaks with Kerry manager Jack O'Connor and Donegal manager Jim McGuinness before the start of the second half. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Watched by a 21,738 crowd in Fitzgerald Stadium, Kerry won the toss and David Clifford pointed towards the scoreboard end into the breeze. The intention was Donegal would declare with the higher score at half-time and Kerry would chase.

The margin was five (1-11 to 0-9) after a first half that started and finished with flashpoints. The opening exchanges involved Michael Murphy and Tadhg Morley later took exception to a tackle of his later in the half. The conclusion of the half involved almost everybody including management figures, the Donegal great and Kerry captain on the day Clifford, who was lucky not to be carded for a high tackle on Caolan McGonagle moments before.

It was an unseemly end to a decent half of football where Donegal were exceptionally clinical – they didn’t register a wide until the 28th minute when Gallen was just off target.

Kerry were wasteful. Paudie Clifford’s conversion rate was one from five including two goal opportunities and he hit two wides. O’Brien also sent two balls wide, one of them an intended pass.

It wasn’t that Kerry were poor otherwise. In possession, their slow attacks were good, their midfield gave them a platform they so badly lacked in the Division 1 final and Burns was sending dangerous ball towards the right corner.

Donegal kicked three two-pointers via Gallen, McHugh and Langan. All three were struck over with relative ease. And the goal in the second minute came just as simple. Kerry left remarkable space on the right wing for Ciarán Moore to exploit. He completed a one-two with Gallen before beating Shane Murphy.

The Kerry goalkeeper was having an easier time of it than the previous meeting in March – that wouldn’t have been difficult – and Kerry were back within two points by the 11th minute.

Donegal’s efficiency was key to them stretching five ahead by the 29th minute. Dylan Geaney’s fourth point of the half gave Kerry some reprieve only for Langan to bring his tally to three before the flashpoints.

Scorers for Kerry: D. Geaney, D. Clifford (1 tp, 1 free), T. Brosnan (2 tp) (0-4 each); M. Burns, T. Morley, P. Clifford, C. Trant (0-1 each).

Scorers for Donegal: O. Gallen, M. Langan (0-5, 1 tp each); C. Moore, S. Malone (1-1 each); R. McHugh (tp), P. Mogan (0-2 each); M. Campbell, S. O’Donnell, M. Murphy, J. McGee (0-1 each).

KERRY: S. Murphy; E. Looney, J. Foley, D. Casey; T. Morley, M. Breen, G. O’Sullivan; M. O’Shea, D. O’Connor; M. Burns, K. Evans, D. O’Connor; P. Clifford, D. Clifford (c), D. Geaney.

Subs for Kerry: E. Healy for T. Morley (h-t), T. Brosnan for P. Clifford, B. Ó Beaglaoich for G. O’Sullivan (inj) (both 45); J. O’Connor for K. Evans (48); K. Spillane for D. Geaney (56); C. Trant for S. O’Brien (temp, 59).

Red card: M. Burns (straight, h-t).

DONEGAL: G. Mulreany; C. McGonagle, B. McCole, F. Roarty; E. Gallagher, R. McHugh, P. Mogan; J. McGee, H. McFadden; M. Campbell, M. Langan (j-c), C. Moore; C. O’Donnell, M. Murphy, O. Gallen.

Subs for Donegal: S. O’Donnell for R. McHugh (blood, h-t); S. Malone for O. Gallen (56); R. McHugh for F. Roarty (59); D. Ó Baoill for M. Murphy (60); T. Carr for H. McFadden (63); S. Martin for M. Campbell (64).

Referee: S. Hurson (Tyrone).