Hello, and welcome along to our live coverage of today’s Division 1 football league final.
Kerry and Donegal face off in a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final, which the Kingdom won, and Jack O’Connor’s side are now looking to retain their league title.
Throw-in at Croke Park is at 4pm, with the action live on TG4. Stick with us for all the updates!
Meath have just lifted the Division 2 title after a strong closing surge against Cork, winning 1-22 to 2-17. You can read Fintan O’Toole‘s match report here.
Declan Bogue is also on duty in Croke Park, while it’s Emma Duffy here on liveblog duty back at base.
Meath’s James Conlon celebrates scoring a point. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
29 Mar
3:38PM
Here are the Kerry and Donegal teams, as named per programme.
Kerry
1. Shane Murphy
2. Brian Ó Beaglaoich, 3. Jason Foley, 4. Dylan Casey
5. Tom O’Sullivan, 6. Mike Breen, 7. Armin Heinrich
8. Mark O’Shea, 9. Sean O’Brien
10. Joe O’Connor, 11. Sean O’Shea, 12. Graham O’Sullivan
13. Dylan Geaney, 14. David Clifford, 15. Keith Evans
Donegal
1. Gavin Mulreany
2. Caolan McColgan 3. Brendan McCole 4. Eoghan Ban Gallagher
5. Ryan McHugh, 6. Caolan McGonagle, 7. Finnbarr Roarty
8. Jason McGee, 9. Hugh McFadden
10. Shane O’Donnell, 11. Michael Langan, 12. Peadar Mogan
13. Conor O’Donnell, 14. Michael Murphy, 15. Shea Malone.
29 Mar
3:54PM
Late changes: Tadhg Morley and Liam Smith start ahead of Brian O’Beaglaoigh and Sean O’Brien for Kerry, while Max Campbell replaces Finnbarr Roarty on the Donegal team.
29 Mar
3:55PM
Call it. Who will win the Division 1 football league title?
Poll Results:
Kerry (45)
Donegal (21)
29 Mar
4:03PM
Throw-in! Kerry 0-0 Donegal 0-0
Referee David Gough gets us underway.
29 Mar
4:07PM
Kerry 0-0 Donegal 0-0
3 mins - Early drama in Croke Park, but no score. A long-range David Clifford effort drops short and Donegal goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany fluffs the clearance. Graham O’Sullivan capitalises and goes for goal, but his shot is cleared off the line.
Michael Murphy kicks a wide at the other end shortly after.
29 Mar
4:08PM
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-0
4 mins - First blood Kerry. No mistake from David Clifford this time.
29 Mar
4:09PM
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-0
6 mins – Donegal look to hit back, but Eoghan Ban Gallagher’s effort tails wide. Their second of the day.
A minute’s silence is held in memory of broadcaster Michael Lyster ahead of the game. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
29 Mar
4:13PM
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-0
8 mins - Sean O’Shea’s first ’45 of the day tails wide. A tricky kick against the wind.
Some fireworks just before that, Mulreany pushing Clifford into the net amidst early Donegal frustration. Michael Langan was among those to step up with big defensive efforts in the build-up there, but the ball was turned back over.
29 Mar
4:14PM
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-1
10 mins - Langan stepping up at the other end with Donegal’s first score.
Hugh McFadden follows up with a wide.
29 Mar
4:16PM
Donegal 0-3 Kerry 0-1
12 mins – Langan with a lovely two-pointer on the loop. Donegal win Shane Murphy’s kickout and look to break at pace, but ease off with a more patient build-up, and Langan obliges once more.
29 Mar
4:17PM
GOAL! Kerry 1-1 Donegal 0-3 (Keith Evans 13)
Just as Donegal looked to be finding their groove, Kerry hit back with the first goal of the game. They drive down the right, Keith Evans with an impressive backdoor but before smashing home. After a slow start, the game has sparked to life.
29 Mar
4:20PM
Donegal 0-5 Kerry 1-1
15 mins - That man again! Another Langan two-pointer puts Donegal back in front.
Michael Murphy is shown a yellow card for a strike on Dylan Casey while himself and another Donegal player were trying to dispossess him. It’s fair to say the punishment could have been harsher.
29 Mar
4:22PM
Donegal 0-7 Kerry 1-1
17 mins - Murphy with a two-point free.
29 Mar
4:26PM
Donegal 0-8 Kerry 1-1
21 mins - Max Campbell, the late addition to the Donegal starting team, fires over to stretch their lead to four.
29 Mar
4:27PM
Donegal 0-9 Kery 1-1
22 mins - Ryan McHugh splits the post after Hugh McFadden collects a dropping shot on the endline and hands off.
29 Mar
4:29PM
Donegal 0-11 Kery 1-1
23 mins – McHugh bares down on goal, but Murphy does enough to keep him out and deflect the ball over the bar. Donegal are dominating the Kerry kick out, Peadar Mogan tagging on another point.
The Kingdom haven’t scored in over 10 minutes.
29 Mar
4:30PM
Donegal 0-12 Kery 1-1
25 mins – Conor O’Donnell the latest to raise a white flag after showing a clean pair of heels and firing over from the right.
29 Mar
4:32PM
Here’s a look at Kerry’s goal. Donegal have been in control since, now leading 0-12 to 1-1.
27 mins – Max Campbell scores his second as Donegal extend their lead to nine. Kerry haven’t scored in 15 minutes, since Keith Evans’ goal.
29 Mar
4:35PM
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-1
29 mins – Kerry looked to be in for a second goal there, Joe O’Connor charging through, but Mulreany cleaned up.
Just before that, Caolan McGonagle dispossessed Clifford for one of the biggest cheers of the day.
29 Mar
4:36PM
Kerry sub - Tomás Kennedy replaces Liam Smith just after the half-hour mark.
29 Mar
4:38PM
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-1
32 mins - Clifford kicks a huge two-point free effort wide. His previous effort was poor, but David Gough brought it back for an earlier foul in the build-up.
29 Mar
4:39PM
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-2
33 mins – Sean O’Shea finally settles the Kerry ship with a point from a tight angle, 20 minutes after their last score.
29 Mar
4:41PM
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-2
35 mins - Conor O’Donnell has an effort waved wide, and checked by HawkEye, but the infield decision remains. The hooter sounds, and that’s that.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
29 Mar
4:48PM
So, Donegal lead by eight points at the break.
Keith Evans scored the only goal of the half in the 13th minute to put Kerry 1-1 to 0-3 in front, but Donegal scored an unanswered 0-10 from there. Michael Langan has led the scoring charge with a 0-5 haul, which included two two-pointers from play.
It must be said that Michael Murphy is lucky to still be on the field, escaping with just a yellow card after striking Dylan Casey in the 15th minute. The TG4 panel, including former Donegal star Kevin Cassidy, are all in agreement that it should have been red.
29 Mar
5:01PM
Second-half! We’re back underway.
29 Mar
5:01PM
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-3
36 mins - Kerry fast out of the blocks, Dylan Geaney firing over.
Langan looks to answer immediately, but kicks wide.
29 Mar
5:03PM
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-4
37 mins – Goalscorer Keith Evans gets his first point of the day.
O’Shea sent a two-point effort wide just beforehand. Kerry mean business as they chase the game.
29 Mar
5:06PM
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-4
41 mins - Donegal look to take the sting out of Kerry’s tail with a lengthy spell of possession.
29 Mar
5:08PM
GOAL! Donegal 1-13 Kerry 1-4 (Conor O’Donnell 42)
What a goal! After that lengthy spell of holding the ball, O’Donnell pounces with a surging run and arrows home. Played in by a lovely pop pass from Langan.
29 Mar
5:09PM
GOAL! Donegal 2-13 Kerry 1-4 (Michael Murphy 44)
Two goals in two minutes! Murphy reads a Kerry pass perfectly and drives through before dispatching into the bottom left-hand corner. Donegal are running riot.
YES, YOU HAVE READ THAT RIGHT. A third Donegal goal in as many minutes.
McGonagle loops into the net. What a mad few minutes.
29 Mar
5:15PM
Donegal 3-14 Kerry 1-4
46 mins - Murphy tags on a point to move Donegal into a 16-point lead.
A few other bits happened amidst the madness, apologies if I missed anything. Joe O’Connor and Hugh McFadden were booked for separate incidents, checking for anything else…
29 Mar
5:17PM
Donegal 3-15 Kerry 1-4
46 mins – Langan with another fine score, what a game he is having.
Comes just after Kerry miss a straightforward free at the other end. One of those days.
29 Mar
5:20PM
Donegal 3-17 Kerry 1-4
53 mins - Murphy nails another two-point free to bring his tally to 1-5.
Kerry sub - Tom Leo O’Sullivan for Jason Foley.
Finbarr Roarty looks to be coming on for Donegal.
29 Mar
5:22PM
Donegal 3-18 Kerry 1-4
54 mins – Campbell fists over as Donegal threaten to score another goal, their attacking line turning on the speed and style.
Kerry haven’t scored in 16 minutes. Another long drought as Donegal make hay.
29 Mar
5:24PM
Donegal 3-19 Kerry 1-4
55 mins - McHugh breezes in to angle over. Too easy again, is the view from TG4.
Roarty replaces Michael Murphy, who comes off to a huge reception.
Paul Geaney is in for his cousin Dylan for his first Kerry appearance of the year.
29 Mar
5:24PM
Donegal 3-19 Kerry 1-5
56 mins - Armin Heinrich reduces the Kerry deficit to 20 points. Eeeek.
A 13-point hammering, a huge marker put down by Donegal, and some small bit of revenge for last year’s All-Ireland final.
Shane O’Donnell and Michael Langan have just lifted the Division 1 title. Langan has also been named Man of the Match on a day to savour for Donegal.
That’s all for our live coverage, thanks so much for reading. Declan Bogue’s match report is up on The 42, and the usual reaction, analysis and colour will follow.
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As it happened: Kerry v Donegal, Division 1 football league final
Hello, and welcome along to our live coverage of today’s Division 1 football league final.
Kerry and Donegal face off in a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final, which the Kingdom won, and Jack O’Connor’s side are now looking to retain their league title.
Throw-in at Croke Park is at 4pm, with the action live on TG4. Stick with us for all the updates!
Meath have just lifted the Division 2 title after a strong closing surge against Cork, winning 1-22 to 2-17. You can read Fintan O’Toole‘s match report here.
Declan Bogue is also on duty in Croke Park, while it’s Emma Duffy here on liveblog duty back at base.
Here are the Kerry and Donegal teams, as named per programme.
Kerry
1. Shane Murphy
2. Brian Ó Beaglaoich, 3. Jason Foley, 4. Dylan Casey
5. Tom O’Sullivan, 6. Mike Breen, 7. Armin Heinrich
8. Mark O’Shea, 9. Sean O’Brien
10. Joe O’Connor, 11. Sean O’Shea, 12. Graham O’Sullivan
13. Dylan Geaney, 14. David Clifford, 15. Keith Evans
Donegal
1. Gavin Mulreany
2. Caolan McColgan 3. Brendan McCole 4. Eoghan Ban Gallagher
5. Ryan McHugh, 6. Caolan McGonagle, 7. Finnbarr Roarty
8. Jason McGee, 9. Hugh McFadden
10. Shane O’Donnell, 11. Michael Langan, 12. Peadar Mogan
13. Conor O’Donnell, 14. Michael Murphy, 15. Shea Malone.
Late changes: Tadhg Morley and Liam Smith start ahead of Brian O’Beaglaoigh and Sean O’Brien for Kerry, while Max Campbell replaces Finnbarr Roarty on the Donegal team.
Call it. Who will win the Division 1 football league title?
Poll Results:
Throw-in! Kerry 0-0 Donegal 0-0
Referee David Gough gets us underway.
Kerry 0-0 Donegal 0-0
3 mins - Early drama in Croke Park, but no score. A long-range David Clifford effort drops short and Donegal goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany fluffs the clearance. Graham O’Sullivan capitalises and goes for goal, but his shot is cleared off the line.
Michael Murphy kicks a wide at the other end shortly after.
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-0
4 mins - First blood Kerry. No mistake from David Clifford this time.
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-0
6 mins – Donegal look to hit back, but Eoghan Ban Gallagher’s effort tails wide. Their second of the day.
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-0
8 mins - Sean O’Shea’s first ’45 of the day tails wide. A tricky kick against the wind.
Some fireworks just before that, Mulreany pushing Clifford into the net amidst early Donegal frustration. Michael Langan was among those to step up with big defensive efforts in the build-up there, but the ball was turned back over.
Kerry 0-1 Donegal 0-1
10 mins - Langan stepping up at the other end with Donegal’s first score.
Hugh McFadden follows up with a wide.
Donegal 0-3 Kerry 0-1
12 mins – Langan with a lovely two-pointer on the loop. Donegal win Shane Murphy’s kickout and look to break at pace, but ease off with a more patient build-up, and Langan obliges once more.
GOAL! Kerry 1-1 Donegal 0-3 (Keith Evans 13)
Just as Donegal looked to be finding their groove, Kerry hit back with the first goal of the game. They drive down the right, Keith Evans with an impressive backdoor but before smashing home. After a slow start, the game has sparked to life.
Donegal 0-5 Kerry 1-1
15 mins - That man again! Another Langan two-pointer puts Donegal back in front.
Michael Murphy is shown a yellow card for a strike on Dylan Casey while himself and another Donegal player were trying to dispossess him. It’s fair to say the punishment could have been harsher.
Donegal 0-7 Kerry 1-1
17 mins - Murphy with a two-point free.
Donegal 0-8 Kerry 1-1
21 mins - Max Campbell, the late addition to the Donegal starting team, fires over to stretch their lead to four.
Donegal 0-9 Kery 1-1
22 mins - Ryan McHugh splits the post after Hugh McFadden collects a dropping shot on the endline and hands off.
Donegal 0-11 Kery 1-1
23 mins – McHugh bares down on goal, but Murphy does enough to keep him out and deflect the ball over the bar. Donegal are dominating the Kerry kick out, Peadar Mogan tagging on another point.
The Kingdom haven’t scored in over 10 minutes.
Donegal 0-12 Kery 1-1
25 mins – Conor O’Donnell the latest to raise a white flag after showing a clean pair of heels and firing over from the right.
Here’s a look at Kerry’s goal. Donegal have been in control since, now leading 0-12 to 1-1.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-1
27 mins – Max Campbell scores his second as Donegal extend their lead to nine. Kerry haven’t scored in 15 minutes, since Keith Evans’ goal.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-1
29 mins – Kerry looked to be in for a second goal there, Joe O’Connor charging through, but Mulreany cleaned up.
Just before that, Caolan McGonagle dispossessed Clifford for one of the biggest cheers of the day.
Kerry sub - Tomás Kennedy replaces Liam Smith just after the half-hour mark.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-1
32 mins - Clifford kicks a huge two-point free effort wide. His previous effort was poor, but David Gough brought it back for an earlier foul in the build-up.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-2
33 mins – Sean O’Shea finally settles the Kerry ship with a point from a tight angle, 20 minutes after their last score.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-2
35 mins - Conor O’Donnell has an effort waved wide, and checked by HawkEye, but the infield decision remains. The hooter sounds, and that’s that.
HALF-TIME: Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-2
So, Donegal lead by eight points at the break.
Keith Evans scored the only goal of the half in the 13th minute to put Kerry 1-1 to 0-3 in front, but Donegal scored an unanswered 0-10 from there. Michael Langan has led the scoring charge with a 0-5 haul, which included two two-pointers from play.
It must be said that Michael Murphy is lucky to still be on the field, escaping with just a yellow card after striking Dylan Casey in the 15th minute. The TG4 panel, including former Donegal star Kevin Cassidy, are all in agreement that it should have been red.
Second-half! We’re back underway.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-3
36 mins - Kerry fast out of the blocks, Dylan Geaney firing over.
Langan looks to answer immediately, but kicks wide.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-4
37 mins – Goalscorer Keith Evans gets his first point of the day.
O’Shea sent a two-point effort wide just beforehand. Kerry mean business as they chase the game.
Donegal 0-13 Kerry 1-4
41 mins - Donegal look to take the sting out of Kerry’s tail with a lengthy spell of possession.
GOAL! Donegal 1-13 Kerry 1-4 (Conor O’Donnell 42)
What a goal! After that lengthy spell of holding the ball, O’Donnell pounces with a surging run and arrows home. Played in by a lovely pop pass from Langan.
GOAL! Donegal 2-13 Kerry 1-4 (Michael Murphy 44)
Two goals in two minutes! Murphy reads a Kerry pass perfectly and drives through before dispatching into the bottom left-hand corner. Donegal are running riot.
GOAL! Donegal 3-13 Kerry 1-4 (Caolan McGonagle 45)
YES, YOU HAVE READ THAT RIGHT. A third Donegal goal in as many minutes.
McGonagle loops into the net. What a mad few minutes.
Donegal 3-14 Kerry 1-4
46 mins - Murphy tags on a point to move Donegal into a 16-point lead.
A few other bits happened amidst the madness, apologies if I missed anything. Joe O’Connor and Hugh McFadden were booked for separate incidents, checking for anything else…
Donegal 3-15 Kerry 1-4
46 mins – Langan with another fine score, what a game he is having.
Comes just after Kerry miss a straightforward free at the other end. One of those days.
Donegal 3-17 Kerry 1-4
53 mins - Murphy nails another two-point free to bring his tally to 1-5.
Kerry sub - Tom Leo O’Sullivan for Jason Foley.
Finbarr Roarty looks to be coming on for Donegal.
Donegal 3-18 Kerry 1-4
54 mins – Campbell fists over as Donegal threaten to score another goal, their attacking line turning on the speed and style.
Kerry haven’t scored in 16 minutes. Another long drought as Donegal make hay.
Donegal 3-19 Kerry 1-4
55 mins - McHugh breezes in to angle over. Too easy again, is the view from TG4.
Roarty replaces Michael Murphy, who comes off to a huge reception.
Paul Geaney is in for his cousin Dylan for his first Kerry appearance of the year.
Donegal 3-19 Kerry 1-5
56 mins - Armin Heinrich reduces the Kerry deficit to 20 points. Eeeek.
Here’s a look back at the Donegal goal rush:
Donegal 3-19 Kerry 1-7
60 mins – Paul Geaney with a superb two-pointer, the Kerry captain stepping up amidst the grimness.
Subs on both sides:
Kerry: Cillian Trant replaces Keith Evans.
Donegal: Stephen McMenamin in for Shea Malone.
Donegal 3-20 Kerry 1-7
62 mins - Roarty’s pointed effort kisses the inside of the post and goes over the bar.
Donegal sub: Max Campbell for Sean Marin
Donegal 3-20 Kerry 1-8
63 mins – Tom O’Sullivan pulls one back for Kerry with his first of the day. Just 18 points behind.
Donegal 3-20 Kerry 1-9
64 mins – Kennedy fists over for Kerry.
Donegal sub - Eoin McHugh replaces Ryan McHugh.
GOAL! Donegal 3-20 Kerry 2-9 (David Clifford 64)
Brilliant finish from Clifford, it must be said. But he has been kept extremely quiet today.
Donegal 3-20 Kerry 2-10
66 mins – Heinrich with another good score, as Kerry look to take the terrible look off the scoreline. 13 points now, if my maths is correct.
Brilliant save from Mulreany just before that to deny Kennedy.
Donegal 3-20 Kerry 2-10
69 mins – Donegal just holding the ball now, can they add another point?
Conor O’Donnell thought he had but it tails just wide.
FULL-TIME: Donegal 3-20 Kerry 2-10
A 13-point hammering, a huge marker put down by Donegal, and some small bit of revenge for last year’s All-Ireland final.
Shane O’Donnell and Michael Langan have just lifted the Division 1 title. Langan has also been named Man of the Match on a day to savour for Donegal.
That’s all for our live coverage, thanks so much for reading. Declan Bogue’s match report is up on The 42, and the usual reaction, analysis and colour will follow.
Enjoy your evening!
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