Inside Track: Kerry will have regrets

A cliché was waiting: “A game for the ages.” It seemed as it would be, two of the game’s greatest exponents, with more titles between than all other counties put together coming face to face.

On one side was a player, who, only 24 years of age, is already being acclaimed as one of the greatest ever. On the other, three going for their ninth All-Ireland titles. How could it miss?

Well, it may not have missed the target entirely, but Sunday’s final didn’t hit the bullseye, and maybe not even its surround.

Let’s reach for another couple of clichés: It was a ‘game of two halves’, in that the first of them, ending with just 11 scores, had more caution than adventure – real ‘cat and mouse’ stuff.

The second, however, had much more of the fire we associated with this fixture in the past, and at the end of it, worthy winners.

When it seemed Kerry, who led at the break, might just be about to pull away, showing a goal in front, one of their most reliable, Gavin White, was robbed in possession.

A Dublin goal was the result, and though Kerry regained the lead, that score was the oxygen the Leinster champions needed.

Backed by a vociferous ‘sixteenth man’, Hill 16’s denizens, they got back on even terms and then turned the screw.

With the clock running down there were many around who were asking when would the replay be taking place.

But Dublin wanted more than a draw, and there was time enough to get it.

Dessie Farrell’s side grabbed one point and then another with time almost up.

Kerry hadn’t even time to think about the goal they needed.

Referee, David Gough’s last blow of the whistle was greeted with such delight by the players, you’d think they were just after winning their first All-Ireland.

Yes, there are some of them who’ll be taking possession of their first Celtic Cross in due course, but for Stephen Cluxton, James McCarthy and Mick Fitzsimons it will be a matter of putting this one along with eight others.

For one to achieve such a feat would be remarkable, but three of them?

All played their part on Sunday, Cluxton and Fitzsimons’ greater than the team captain.

Beaten just once – and for the first time in the championship – Cluxton’s kicking out was impeccable; for a 41-year-old, he’s some boy.

Fitzsimons, though given inches away to his direct opponent, kept tabs on David Clifford, confining him to just two points from play; and though the Kerry talisman was unusually indifferent with his shooting, missing what for him should have been four easy chances, the Dublin full-back can be more than pleased with his day’s work.

McCarthy, one of the great Dublin players of the modern era, didn’t have a particularly good first half, but was in the thick of things after that, especially when his side cranked up their effort.

His midfield partner, Brian Fenton, maintained his fine form of recent weeks, his point-taking embellishing an excellent performance.

Kerry will have regrets. They were on a roll at the time.

White was turned over, and to have added to their three point lead could have blunted the Dublin challenge. It’s not that they didn’t have chances. They had, and, as said, most of them fell to David Clifford.

Maybe it was a case of the young man trying to do too much to uphold the reputation he had built for himself.

There were a few shots he maybe shouldn’t have taken on, and with each miss his confidence seemed to drain.

Dublin and Kerry are the best in country, if not by a distance, far enough ahead to give the chasers plenty to ponder between now the resumption of hostilities at the beginning of next year.