Inside Track with John McIntyre

IT’S hard to believe Sunday’s ruthless dismantling of Donegal’s challenge at Croke Park was only Kerry’s second All-Ireland triumph in 11 years, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the Kingdom will win a lot more Sam Maguire Cups over the coming decade.

That’s the obvious conclusion after Kerry produced a magnificent performance in powering to a 10-point victory over the Ulster champions. Jack O’Connor’s team produced attacking football of the highest quality and Donegal couldn’t live with them despite the significant scoring contributions of Michael Murphy, Conor O’Donnell, and Oisin Gallen.

Typical of Kerry to produce their most complete display of the championship on the most important occasion of all, they hit the ground running on Sunday with outstanding team captain Gavin White setting the tone from the throw-in with that galloping run deep into Donegal territory to set up the first of Dylan Geaney’s three points

It was a final which didn’t quite live up to expectations, such was Kerry’s superiority. They stormed into a 0-13 to 0-4 lead after only 17 minutes and Donegal were always trying to play catch up. With the Clifford brothers, David and Paudie, on fire they repeatedly punched holes in the opposition’s zonal defence.

Seán Ó Shea also got on a lot of ball, and with David Clifford swinging over two-pointers for sport on the loop, Donegal were soon taken out of their comfort zone. Midfielder Michael Langen – a contender for Player of the Year before the final – didn’t really influence the exchanges in a sector where Kerry’s Joe O’Connor put the seal on a great campaign.

Donegal battled honourably and engineered some decent scores, but they never once looked like winning. Kerry were just in a different league and, clearly, their mid-season wobble against Meath in Tullamore was the best thing which could have happened to them.

And given the age-profile of the team, Kerry appear primed to rule the roost for several years to come. On Sunday, David Clifford was unmarkable. His pace, strength, and accurate shooting were a joy to behold, while his brother Paudie handled so much ball he nearly owned it.

All those teams watching Sunday’s final with genuine All-Ireland aspirations in 2026 will have gulped with some despair seeing what unfolded at Croke Park. Kerry were brilliant and in this kind of form, there’s no opposition capable of laying a glove on them.

It will also have given the Kerry camp added satisfaction that the last three teams they beat on the county’s way to a 39th All-Ireland title were all from Ulster – Armagh, Tyrone and, now, Donegal. They have well and truly scratched the Northern itch from their system.

Pictured: Keith Mannion, Milltown, Cathal Sweeney, Salthill-Knocknacarra, Sam Keating, Kilannin and Jake Slattery, Dunmore, at the launch of the Galway Senior Football Championship in the Bon Secours Hospital. Photo: Iain McDonald.