Dublin 2-18 Kerry 0-13
A 66th minute goal for Paul Flynn helped Dublin claim a fourth consecutive Division 1 title under Jim Gavin as Kerry were once more humbled by the All-Ireland champions, writes John Fogarty of the Irish Examiner.
Aidan O’Mahony’s sending off in the 50th minute for an off-the-ball incident involving Jonny Cooper hurt Kerry but Dublin were in the ascendancy from the end of the first half.
Similar to Kieran Donaghy’s goal in the 2014 All-Ireland final, Flynn snaffled Brendan Kealy’s quick attempt at a kick-out to seal the victory for Jim Gavin’s side. Substitute Eric Lowndes added a second in stoppage time to add more insult to injury for the Kingdom.
This is becoming a familiar sight at Croke Park! Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton lifts the NFL Division 1 cup! pic.twitter.com/RguH3q2kQY
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) April 24, 2016
Kerry had made it a one-point game in the 55th minute but were over-run in the final stages although Donaghy had a strong penalty claim turned down in additional time. Dean Rock had earlier pointed from the spot when Shane Enright was penalised for bringing down Paul Mannion.
The sides were level on six occasions in the first half, never straying more than one point from each other until the 29th minute when Bernard Brogan beat Marc Ó Sé in the air to turn and point after Brian Fenton had fisted Dublin ahead.
Up until that, Kerry were making the stronger impressions. Peter Crowley upended John Small with a thumping challenge in the 12th minute and Colm Cooper’s dummy solo saw him lose Philly McMahon for a 19th minute point.
But Kerry were struggling on their kick-out, as was Ó Sé in marshalling Brogan who ended the half with three points.
They were also taking too much out of the ball and running into traffic as evidenced by O’Mahony and Bryan Sheehan being turned over in the middle of the field.
Scorers for Dublin: D. Rock (0-5, 3 frees, 1 penalty); B. Brogan (0-4); P. Flynn, E. Lowndes (1-0 each); C. Kilkenny, K. McManamon (0-2 each); Cooper, B. Fenton, P. Mannion, D. Connolly, C. Costello (0-1 each).
Scorers for Kerry: B. Sheehan (0-3, frees); S. O’Brien, P. Crowley, D. O’Sullivan (0-2 each); C. Cooper, D.Walsh, K. Donaghy, P. Murphy (0-1 each).
DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Byrne, P. McMahon, J. Cooper; J. Small, C. O’Sullivan, J. McCarthy; B. Fenton, D. Bastick; P. Flynn, D. Rock, C. Kilkenny; P. Mannion, D. Connolly, B. Brogan.
Subs for Dublin: M.D. Macauley for D Bastick (48); K. McManamon for D. Connolly (54); C. Costello for D. Rock (60); M. Fitzsimons for P. McMahon (63); E. Lowndes for P. Mannion (68); D. Daly for J. Small (70).
KERRY: B. Kealy; M. Ó Sé, P. Crowley, S. Enright; F. Fitzgerald, M. Griffin, A. O’Mahony; K. Donaghy, D. Moran; D. Walsh, P. Murphy, B. Sheehan; D. O’Sullivan, C. Cooper. S. O’Brien.
Subs for Kerry: K. Young for F. Fitzgerald (45); B. O’Sullivan for D. Walsh (54); J. Lyne for M. Griffin (60); B.J. Keane for S. O’Brien (62); P. O’Connor for P. Crowley (63); M. Geaney for P. Murphy (69).
Sent off: A. O’Mahony (straight, 50).
Referee: E. Kinsella (Laois)
