Dublin and Kerry have advanced to set up a mouthwatering League final following respective hammerings of Donegal and Roscommon. They were facile victories for the Big Two, and the league semi-finals are probably a needless addition to the GAA calendar:
Don't think anyone's going to miss League semi-finals.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) April 10, 2016
The first game of the day saw Roscommon mauled at the hands of Kerry on a scoreline of 3-15 to 0-14. All of the Kerry goals came in the first half. It brought Roscommon crashing down to Earth following a fine league campaign, which featured a victory away to the Kingdom:
Serious jolt of reality for Roscommon today.
It's been coming for a few weeks though.#gaa #AllianzLeagues— Seán Perry (@perry_sean) April 10, 2016
That was a stroll for Kerry. A lot of guys jumping out of their skin for April. Roscommon still a long way off the big boys. #AllianzLeagues
— Mike Quirke (@Mike_Quirke) April 10, 2016
#Arsenal, #McIlroy and now #Roscommon. A weekend that makes you think there's more to life than watching sport. #bollixinanyways
— John 🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@OhRiagain) April 10, 2016
Roscommon were undone by chronic inaccuracy:
Roscommon shot 14/33 (42%). Kerry shot 18/26 (69%).
— Gaelic Stats (@gaelicstats) April 10, 2016
Such a heavy defeat for the Rossies brought out some serious schadenfreude:
Roscommon, normal service resumed then.#AllianzLeagues
— TomTraubert (@TomTraubert2009) April 10, 2016
About time Roscommon got a beating! Celebrating like they won an all Ireland in February in killarney.... Rooters
— Eric Burns (@EricBurns20) April 10, 2016
And such an excellent performance by Kerry might contribute to a feeling they've peaked too early:
Can't be long until the guff about 'Kerry nearly going too well for the time of year' starts.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) April 10, 2016
@KCsixtyseven I hate to see Kerry playing so well too early - cant peak twice in the one year - wouldn't rule out a Rossies fight back !!
— Mortimer Murphy (@MortimerMurphy1) April 10, 2016
Later that day, Dublin had an equally facile victory over Donegal. Bernard Brogan's goal a minute into the second-half put the Dubs eight points into the lead and killed the game as a contest. It eventually ended 1-20 to 0-13 to Dublin as Donegal failed to compete:
Dublin could have four goals. Too easy for them.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) April 10, 2016
Donegal look like a team with to many miles on clock need some fresh faces to come in #gaa
— me (@devlin434) April 10, 2016
Donegal look tired and unfit. Must be a worry for them since it's only April. #GAA
— Niall (@niallotuairisc) April 10, 2016
Although there was some excuse:
It's worth remembering that Donegal didn't train this week. They're not going to lose much sleep over this. #GAA
— Niall McCoy (@McCoyNiall) April 10, 2016
Normal service for Dublin, for whom Stephen Cluxton was as imperious as always:
Dublin lost their first Kickout but then won the next 10 in a row.
— Gaelic Stats (@gaelicstats) April 10, 2016
Stephen Cluxton is ridiculous. Putting on another exhibition today. He's turned the kick-out into an uncontested scrum.
— Mike Quirke (@Mike_Quirke) April 10, 2016
Stephen Cluxton's kicking has been the difference so far. Absolutely brilliant
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) April 10, 2016
With the formalities over, Dublin and Kerry will go to war at Croke Park in a fortnight. It is a mouthwatering final. The semi-finals, however, were a squib damper than Dr. Hyde Park.
