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Cathal Noonan/INPHO
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Dublin v Kerry, All-Ireland SFC semi-final

The fiercest of rivals clash in a game that will define the summer.

Kerry-Dublin. They don’t come much bigger than that. Much of the build-up has centered around Kerry’s recent run of championship defeats to Dublin. Not since the 1970s have Dublin enjoyed such dominance over the Kingdom.

Jim Gavin’s troops are chasing a second successive All-Ireland title. This time around they’re without the calming influence of Rory O’Carroll in defence and the pace of Jack McCaffrey on the wing.

David Byrne and John Small have stepped up to the mark and both players are growing into their roles as the season has progressed. They could have a big impact today.

The big question surrounding this game is: Can Kerry close the 11-point gap that was between these teams in April’s league final? It was a game that highlighted the growing chasm between the sides and surely caused Eamonn Fitzmaurice a few sleepless nights.

Shortly after that defeat, Fitzmaurice turned to the younger legs of Brian O Beaglaoich and Tadgh Morley. It was a move with Dublin clearly in mind, as was the re positioning of Paul Murphy to the half-forward line. We’ll find out today if those moves were the right ones.

The final 15 minutes will be critical today. Games between these counties are usually tight heading down the home straight. Both sides have plenty of weapons left on the bench. The finish could be electric. Fasten your seat belts.

Throw-in is at 3.30pm.

No word yet on any changes to either team. Here’s how they’re set to line out:

Kerry

1. Brian Kelly (Killarney Legion)

2. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
3. Mark Griffin (St Michaels/Foilmore)
4. Killian Young (C) (Renard)

5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
6. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)
7. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)

8. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks)
9. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)

10. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
11. Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes)
12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane)

13. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Legion)

Dublin

The word is both teams will start as selected.

We lied about the teams starting as selected. For Dublin Michael Darragh MacAuley starts instead of Denis Bastick and Kevin Manamon is in for Paul Mannion.

On the Kerry team, Anthony Maher comes in for Stephen O’Brien, Aidan O’Mahony replaces Brian O Beaglaoich and Darran O’Sullivan is in for James O’Donoghue.

We’re moments away from throw-in! Enjoy the game!

1 mins – Dublin 0-1 Kerry 0-0

Diarmuid Connolly sends Dublin into the lead. Donaghy is at full-forward and is being picked up by Philly McMahon.

Johnny Cooper is on Colm Cooper while Shane Enright is marking Bernard Brogan.

Kerry are looking to hit that diagonal ball into Donaghy and Geaney every time.

CHANCE! Philly McMahon forces a fine save out of Brian Kelly. That move was Dublin at their very best. Kerry are let off the hook there.

7 mins – Dublin 0-2 Kerry 0-0

Rock converts the 45.

Kerry are kicking plenty of ball early on but Dublin’s shooting hasn’t been very accurate so far. They’ve hit three wides so far. Kerry are yet to score.

12 mins – Dublin 0-4 Kerry 0-0

Rock puts Dublin four in front with a free and one from play. Kerry are sitting back and inviting Dublin onto them.

More matchups: Paul Murphy is tracking Ciaran Kilkenny, while Killian Young is marking Dean Rock.

15 mins – Dublin 0-5 Kerry 0-1

David Moran kicks Kerry’s first score. At the far end Rock slots over another free.

17 mins – Dublin 0-5 Kerry 0-2

Things are looking a little better for Kerry. Donnchadh Walsh ran straight at the Dublin defence and slipped a pass to Geaney for the score.

18 mins – Dublin 0-5 Kerry 0-3

Kerry haven’t played yet but they’re back to within two points. Colm Cooper converts a close-range free for the Kingdom.

19 mins – Dublin 0-6 Kerry 0-3

Kerry need to stop fouling so much. Rock lands over another free, this one from the ground.

21 mins – Dublin 0-7 Kerry 0-4

Geaney reduces the gap to three again.

Diarmuid Connolly and Peter Crowley Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Diarmuid Connolly and Peter Crowley Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

25 mins – Dublin 0-9 Kerry 0-5

Geaney is living off scraps but he’s doing damage everytime he picks up possession. He scores his third point as this game begins to liven up.

29 mins – Dublin 0-9 Kerry 0-6

Donaghy wins a free and Cooper converts it. We’re back to a three point game again.

GOAL! Stephen Cluxton makes a mess of a kickout and Kerry punish it as Darran O’Sullivan finds the net! That has turned this game on its head.

Paul Geaney anticipated the kickout and played the ball into Walsh, who flicked the ball into the path of O’Sullivan for the finish. We’re level.

Cluxton kicks the next restart out for a sideline. He looks rattled.

We’ll have three minutes of added time.

35+1 mins – Dublin 0-9 Kerry 1-7

Geaney collects a long pass and passes to Cooper, who swings it over. Kerry lead for the first time!

GOAL! Geaney contested a high Anthony Maher ball with Cluxton and the ball dropped into the net! Cluxton has to do better there!

35+3 mins – Dublin 0-9 Kerry 2-8

Cluxton kicks the next ball straight to Walsh. He’s having a nightmare. John Small picks up a yellow and Cooper curls over another free.

Half-time: Dublin 0-9 Kerry 2-8

Catch your breath for a couple of minutes. That was a sensational opening 35 minutes.

Diarmuid Connolly and Michael Darragh MacAuley with Anthony Maher Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Dean Rock and Mark Griffin Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Aidan O’Mahony and Michael Darragh MacAuley Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Capture The Sunday Game / RTE The Sunday Game / RTE / RTE

Jim Gavin will be delighted to get his team into the dressing room at half-time. Kerry are five ahead and they’ve still got James O’Donoghue to spring from the bench in the second-half.

36 mins – Dublin 0-10 Kerry 2-8

Rock gets Dublin going in the second-half with a score. Paddy Andrews and Paul Mannion are warming up on the sideline.

37 mins – Dublin 0-11 Kerry 2-8

Bernard Brogan hand passes over the bar. Stephen O’Brien replaces Darran O’Sullivan.

40 mins – Dublin 0-12 Kerry 2-9

Three in a row for Dublin now. Rock clips one over off the left. Kerry have been poor since half-time but Cooper fires over a free to settle them.

43 mins – Dublin 0-12 Kerry 2-9

Another free from Rock brings his personal tally to eight.

The cavalry is arriving. Paddy Andrews has come in for Paul Flynn.

45 mins – Dublin 0-13 Kerry 2-9

Rock has been deadly accurate today. His 45 leaves just a point between the teams. Dublin are starting to turn the screw.

51 mins – Dublin 0-15 Kerry 2-9

Fenton curls a fine score over from his left. That came from a fantastic ball into Rock, who hand passed to Fenton. We’re level.

James O’Donoghue comes in for Kieran Donaghy, who limps off holding his hamstring. Paul Mannion is in for John Small. Dublin are going with a full-court press. Barry John Keane is in for Donnchadh Walsh

52 mins – Dublin 0-15 Kerry 2-10

Keane kicks a brilliant score on the right flank. One of the finest scores you’re likely to see today. Kerry lead again.

56 mins – Dublin 0-15 Kerry 2-11

Brian O Beaglaoich has come in for Morley. Paul Geaney brings his tally to 1-4 with a nice point.

Rock kicks a tricky free wide. Kerry still lead by two. Bryan Sheehan comes in for Anthony Maher.

59 mins – Dublin 0-15 Kerry 2-12

O’Donoghue races on to a ball and strokes it over. This is Kerry’s to lose now.

61 mins – Dublin 0-16 Kerry 2-13

Gooch makes some space for himself and finds Murphy with a kick pass. Murphy applies the finish.

63 mins – Dublin 0-17 Kerry 2-13

McMahon kicks an important score for Dublin.

64 mins – Dublin 0-18 Kerry 2-13

Shane Enright picks up a yellow after he tripped Brogan. Rock does the business with a free. That’s 0-11 for him now.

66 mins – Dublin 0-19 Kerry 2-13

Paul Murphy concedes a free for touching the ball on the ground. Rock slots over the free. We’re level with four to go. Will we be back here next week? Kerry are starting to tire. Marc O Se comes in for Paul Geaney.

Connolly misses a chance to put Dublin back in front as he shoots wide. Two minutes left.

70 mins – Dublin 0-20 Kerry 2-13

We’re into stoppage time as Kevin McManamon kicks a superb shot over the bar. Dublin lead by one. You could cut the tension in Croker with a knife.

We’ll have five minutes of stoppage time.

71 mins – Dublin 0-20 Kerry 2-14

Stephen O’Brien drives through and hand passes over the bar.

The teams are all square again as Dublin patiently probe for a winner…

72 mins – Dublin 0-21 Kerry 2-14

Eoghan O’Gara takes a pass from McCarthy and splits the posts. Dublin are ahead again.

74 mins – Dublin 0-22 Kerry 2-14

Connolly’s second point of the match puts Dublin two ahead. Kerry need a goal.

Full-time: Dublin 0-22 Kerry 2-14

The All-Ireland champions are through to the final after an epic contest. That game was sensational. Dublin just about deserved to win.

Keep an eye on the site for all the reaction from today’s game. Thanks for joining us today.

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