Conor Gleeson: Dealt with early Hail Mary. Kick-outs were accurate although he was lucky to get away with one when he rushed it. Rush of blood to the head in second half and pulled down Adrian Spillane. 7
Liam Silke: Broke forward early on to force Walsh’s opener from a 45. Picked up Sean O’Shea who struggled to make an impact on the game from open play. 8
Sean Kelly: Tracked David Clifford who beat him for two marks and a point from play in the first half and two points from play in the second. Stuck to his task though and was proactive when he got the chance. 5
Jack Glynn: Outstanding display, particularly in the first half. Shut Paudie Clifford out of the game before the break and was composed when Galway worked the ball out from short restarts. Burst forward for a point too. 7
Dylan McHugh: Brave and strong to shut the door when Kerry tried to kick it in near half-time. Up against Stephen O’Brien who was Kerry’s main attacking threat in first half. 6.5
John Daly: Outstanding in the opening exchanges. Kerry couldn’t get a handle on him and he broke up their attacks and sent the Tribesmen charging forward. Created goal chance for Heaney. 7.5
Kieran Molloy: Kept a close eye on Paul Geaney in the first half. Assist for Glynn score too but didn’t have the same success against Killian Spillane in the second. 6
Paul Conroy: Had David Moran for company and couldn’t get his kicking game going. Stephen O’Brien denied him a score with a brilliant block in first half. Moved up to full-forward before he was withdrawn after an hour. 6
Cillian McDaid: What a game he had. A tireless worker in midfield, he won his battle with Jack Barry and scored four points from play, three in the second half when he was Galway’s driving force. 9
Patrick Kelly: Picked up by Gavin White, he was an outlet for kickouts down the right. Battled hard but struggled to make an attacking impact in the second half. 6.5
Matthew Tierney: He put his body on the line more than once to bar the door as Kerry pressed down the centre. Tadhg Morley shaded their battle in the second half. 6.5
Johnny Heaney: Had an early goal chance blocked by his opposite number Stephen O’Brien. Clipped over a point. Withdrawn in closing stages. 6.5
Robert Finnerty: Creative and quick, he used the ball well and gave Graeme O’Sullivan headaches in the first half. Played in a deep role and didn’t manage a score. Subbed after an hour. 5.5
Damien Comer: Kept scoreless by the dogged Jason Foley who proved he was up for the physical battle. Showed well as targetman full-forward and won a couple of frees for Walsh. Two second half wides and was more effective when he moved out to midfield. 6
Shane Walsh: See Star Man
Substitutes:
Finnian O’Lai: Replaced Finnerty 10 minutes into the second half. Lost Graeme O’Sullivan who broke forward for a point. 6
Cathal Sweeney: In for Conroy with 10 minutes to go but couldn’t turn the tide. 6
Eoin Finnerty: Throw in at full-forward for the final 10 minutes. 6
Niall Daly: Not on long enough to be rated.
Star Man
Shane Walsh (Galway)
Has there ever been a better display from a player on the losing side? Walsh gave a masterclass. Scored four points from play and three of them were absolutely stupendous finishes. So confident off either foot, he also clipped over a 45 and four frees. Gave all he had for his county. 9.5
