How Kerry’s kickout clinic overwhelmed Donegal

Kerry's break ball structure was sheer coaching brilliance. Of the 10 Shaun Patton kickouts they stole, eight were on breaking ball. McGuinness singled out Gavin White for specific praise in that element of the tie.

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025 - 06:08

Maurice Brosnan

Everything felt different. David Clifford stood in the parade like a caged bull, ready to be unleashed. The start was delayed by drawn-out formalities, while in the Kerry warm-up, Shane Ryan was the one practising frees off the ground.

For a team that contains one of the purest ball strikers in the country, it was a curious sight. Seán O'Shea was immense in the decider, but it was noticeable that throughout the second half, he was down stretching his calves and seeking energy shots from the sideline. When they earned their first two-point free of the second half, Ryan came forward to take it. He slipped and it dropped short.

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