All-Ireland SFC final

Kerry 1-26
Donegal 0-19

By Michael McMullan at Croke Park

KERRY ended Donegal’s chances of a third All-Ireland title on Sunday to get their hands on Sam once again.

Joe O’Connor’s late goal put the icing on the cake for the Munster champions who were never behind at any stage of the contest.

Donegal battled hard after trailing by seven points at the break, but a scattering of wides stymied their chances of a comeback against a Kerry team inspired throughout by Paudie Clifford, who won the man of the match award.

Dylan Geaney opened the Kerry account in the first attack with the lively Gavin White adding two scores in a bright opening start for the Kingdom, who were dominant in the important middle sector throughout the first half.

Oisín Gallen and Conor O’Donnell were lively in Donegal’s attack but Kerry starved them from possession for long spells.

David Clifford, who looks destined to win his third Footballer of the Year award, kicked two two-pointers as well as winning a two-point free for Seán O’Shea as Kerry compounded their advantage.

Donegal were hit by a setback when Ciaran Thompson went off with injury but started to grow into proceedings with Michael Murphy adding three points as Kerry began to miss chances at the other end.

David Clifford had the final say of the half with a super two-pointer after the hooter, opening a 0-17 to 0-10 lead.

Hugh McFadden came on at half time but Seán O’Shea hit the first score of the half for the Kingdom.

Murphy and David Clifford traded points but Kerry held their eight-point lead and still looked in control.

Donegal were never going to throw in the towel and Murphy, Shane and Conor O’Donnell kicked scores, taking Donegal to within four points with 50 minutes gone.

O’Shea nailed a two-point free before Paudie Clifford fisted the Kingdom seven points up before substitute Morley made the goal for O’Connor, sealing a 39th All-Ireland SFC title for his team.

Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-8 (6f), Conor O’Donnell 0-4, Oisín Gallen 0-3, Shane O’Donnell 0-2, Caolan McGonagle 0-1, Dáire Ó Baoill 0-1

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-9 (3tp), Seán O’Shea 0-6 (2tpf, 2f), Gavin White 0-3, Paudie Clifford 0-3, Dylan Geaney 0-3, Joe O’Connor 1-0, Sean O’Brien 0-2

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Caolan McColgan; Caolan McGonagle, Michael Langan; Shane O’Donnell, Ciarán Thompson, Ciarán Moore; Conor O’Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisín Gallen

Subs: Dáire Ó Baoill for Thompson (INJ 23), Hugh McFadden for McColgan (HT), Jason McGee for R McHugh (INJ 41), Patrick McBrearty for Gallen (50), Jamie Brennan for Gallaher (58)

Kerry: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Brien; Joe O’Connor, Seán O’Shea, Graham O’Sullivan; David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, Dylan Geaney

Subs: Diarmuid O’Connor for O’Brien (50), Killian Spillane for D Geaney (54), Evan Looney for Ó Beaglaoich (63), Tadhg Morley for Breen (65), Micheál Burns for G O’Sullivan (69)

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)