THE STARTING POINT for any conversation must be the incident that flared up as the half-time hooter blared, the one that shaped this game irrevocably.
Kerry held possession with seconds left on the first-half clock and delivered a high ball towards the Donegal goalmouth, which was then gathered in defence.
The challenges that ensued sparked off the pre-interval chaos. Players on both sides waded in, those on the sideline got involved. The upshot was Ryan McHugh departing with a blood-stained face, the Donegal camp incensed and then there was a wait to see what judgement referee Seán Hurson would arrive at before the second half commenced.
The Tyrone whistler showed a yellow card to Evan Looney and, more significantly, a red card to Micheál Burns. It influenced the remainder of the contest, Kerry were left to operate with 14 men in a game where they were already chasing a five-point deficit.
The outcome from there was inevitable, Donegal winning by ten points at the finish as Kerry were restricted to four scores in the second half.
Ciaran Moore scores a goal for Donegal. James Lawlor / INPHO
James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO
It was a low-key and lethargic finish to a game that had captivated early on.
Donegal enjoyed a five-point cushion at the break, 1-11 to 0-9, a product of their lightning scoring start. Kerry almost crept in for a goal from the throw-in after 15 seconds, but Donegal scrambled clear and then raided at the other end, a swift exchange of passes between Ciaran Moore and Oisin Gallen, paved the way for Moore to sidestep goalkeeper Shane Murphy and fire the ball to the net.
Gallen, Donegal’s most impressive early attacker, clipped over a two-pointer from play moments later and Donegal were flying. Burns got Kerry off the scoring mark, yet McHugh confidently stroked over another two-pointer to push Donegal six clear after only seven minutes.
Facing into the breeze, the Kerry response was excellent as they pieced together clever moves and picked off tidy points. Dylan Geaney was particularly prominent as he swung over three first-half scores and set up two more points.
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But Donegal still had five to spare at the interval and were in total control as the second half unfolded. They exploited their personnel advantage to control possession and were 1-14 to 0-9 clear when Kerry got their opening score of the second half, a Tony Brosnan two-pointer from play.
Shea Malone celebrates his goal for Donegal. James Lawlor / INPHO
James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO
Donegal responded by reeling off four points on the spin and then their second goal arrived with five minutes left, Michael Langan placing substitute Shea Malone to blast home. Kerry cut back a little bit of the deficit with late two-pointers from David Clifford and Brosnan, but the ten-point advantage Donegal enjoyed at the finish was in keeping with their superiority.
A dejected David Clifford after the match. James Lawlor / INPHO
James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO
Scorers for Donegal: Oisín Gallen 0-5 (1 2pt play), Michael Langan 0-5 (1 2pt play), Shea Malone 1-1, Ciarán Moore 1-1, Ryan McHugh 0-2 (1 2pt play), Peadar Mogan 0-2, Max Campbell 0-1, Jason McGee 0-1, Shane O’Donnell 0-1, Michael Murphy 0-1.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-4 (1 2pt play, 0-1 free), Tony Brosnan 0-4 (2 2pt play), Dylan Geaney 0-3, Paudie Clifford 0-1, Tadhg Morley 0-1, Graham O’Sullivan 0-1, Cillian Trant 0-1, Micheál Burns 0-1.
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Kerry hit by red card as Donegal run out ten-point victors in All-Ireland SFC opener
Donegal 2-20 (2-3-14)
Kerry 0-16 (0-3-10)
THE STARTING POINT for any conversation must be the incident that flared up as the half-time hooter blared, the one that shaped this game irrevocably.
Kerry held possession with seconds left on the first-half clock and delivered a high ball towards the Donegal goalmouth, which was then gathered in defence.
The challenges that ensued sparked off the pre-interval chaos. Players on both sides waded in, those on the sideline got involved. The upshot was Ryan McHugh departing with a blood-stained face, the Donegal camp incensed and then there was a wait to see what judgement referee Seán Hurson would arrive at before the second half commenced.
The Tyrone whistler showed a yellow card to Evan Looney and, more significantly, a red card to Micheál Burns. It influenced the remainder of the contest, Kerry were left to operate with 14 men in a game where they were already chasing a five-point deficit.
The outcome from there was inevitable, Donegal winning by ten points at the finish as Kerry were restricted to four scores in the second half.
It was a low-key and lethargic finish to a game that had captivated early on.
Donegal enjoyed a five-point cushion at the break, 1-11 to 0-9, a product of their lightning scoring start. Kerry almost crept in for a goal from the throw-in after 15 seconds, but Donegal scrambled clear and then raided at the other end, a swift exchange of passes between Ciaran Moore and Oisin Gallen, paved the way for Moore to sidestep goalkeeper Shane Murphy and fire the ball to the net.
Gallen, Donegal’s most impressive early attacker, clipped over a two-pointer from play moments later and Donegal were flying. Burns got Kerry off the scoring mark, yet McHugh confidently stroked over another two-pointer to push Donegal six clear after only seven minutes.
Facing into the breeze, the Kerry response was excellent as they pieced together clever moves and picked off tidy points. Dylan Geaney was particularly prominent as he swung over three first-half scores and set up two more points.
But Donegal still had five to spare at the interval and were in total control as the second half unfolded. They exploited their personnel advantage to control possession and were 1-14 to 0-9 clear when Kerry got their opening score of the second half, a Tony Brosnan two-pointer from play.
Donegal responded by reeling off four points on the spin and then their second goal arrived with five minutes left, Michael Langan placing substitute Shea Malone to blast home. Kerry cut back a little bit of the deficit with late two-pointers from David Clifford and Brosnan, but the ten-point advantage Donegal enjoyed at the finish was in keeping with their superiority.
Scorers for Donegal: Oisín Gallen 0-5 (1 2pt play), Michael Langan 0-5 (1 2pt play), Shea Malone 1-1, Ciarán Moore 1-1, Ryan McHugh 0-2 (1 2pt play), Peadar Mogan 0-2, Max Campbell 0-1, Jason McGee 0-1, Shane O’Donnell 0-1, Michael Murphy 0-1.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-4 (1 2pt play, 0-1 free), Tony Brosnan 0-4 (2 2pt play), Dylan Geaney 0-3, Paudie Clifford 0-1, Tadhg Morley 0-1, Graham O’Sullivan 0-1, Cillian Trant 0-1, Micheál Burns 0-1.
Donegal
1. Gavin Mulreany (St Naul’s)
19. Max Campbell (Naomh Conaill), 3. Brendan McCole (St Naul’s), 4. Peader Mogan (St Naul’s)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar), 6. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), 7. Finbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill)
8. Caolan McGonagle (Buncrana), 9. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs)
26. Michael Langan (St Michael’s), 22. Jason McGee (Corduff), 12. Ciarán Moore (St Eunan’s)
13. Conor O’Donnell (Carndonagh), 14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly), 21. Oisín Gallen (Sean Mac Cumhaills)
Subs:
Kerry
1. Shane Murphy (Dr. Crokes)
2. Evan Looney (Dr. Crokes), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
5. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 6. Mike Breen (Beaufort), 7. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)
8. Mark O’Shea (Dr. Crokes), 9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)
10. Micheál Burns (Dr. Crokes), 11. Keith Evans (Keel), 24. Seán O’Brien (Beaufort)
21. Paudie Clifford (Fossa), 14. David Clifford (Fossa), 15. Dylan Geaney (Dingle)
Subs:
Referee: Seán Hurson (Tyrone)
*****
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