Kerry may have gotten through their Munster SFC semi-final against neighbours Cork on Saturday evening, but the Kingdom were hardly at their best on a nervy afternoon in Killarney.
The Rebels deservedly led at half-time, and it was not until the final quarter of the game that Kerry finally pulled in front, and they ultimately ran out 0-18 to 1-12 winners. The performance will not have done much to allay doubts about their All-Ireland credentials this season.
Their powerhouse reputation does precede them, but they have largely lived up to their billing in recent years thanks in no small part to the brilliance of their star man David Clifford.
They were pipped to last year's All-Ireland crown by old rivals Dublin, and the Dubs made a huge statement with a ruthless dismantling of Kerry at Croke Park in their February Allianz League clash.
That Derry went on to defeat that Dublin team in a dramatic League final suggests that they may have taken a decisive step clear of Kerry in this year's race for Sam Maguire, an opinion widely held by most pundits in the lead-up to the provincial championships.
Pre-match in Killarney on Saturday, Kingdom legend Marc Ó Sé summed up a key area which he thought was the main reason why Dublin and Derry look better set for an All-Ireland charge this year.
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GAAGO panellists identify crucial Kerry shortcoming compared to rivals
Ahead of throw-in in Killarney, Marc Ó Sé explained why he has not altered from his previous stance that Kerry were not in the mix to take Sam Maguire back to the Kingdom this summer.
Ó Sé explained a key difference that currently separated Kerry from their two main rivals in the All-Ireland hunt.
It hasn't - I'd love for it [his stance] to change. I haven't seen enough in the league this year to suggest that Kerry are going to win the All-Ireland.
We're talking about David Clifford...we've mentioned Cork, we've mentioned backups to Brian Hurley, players that John Cleary has brought in that are making a difference [like] Chris Óg Jones. Take Paudie, Seánie O'Shea and David Clifford [out] - where else are Kerry going to get the scores?
For me, that's the big question. Dublin have those players, we've seen Derry this year, they have those players. To answer your question, no I don't see an All-Ireland in Kerry this year.
It may seem a routine point to suggest that taking David Clifford out of the Kerry team would weaken them - any team would struggle with the removal of a generational talent such as the Fossa man.
20 April 2024; Paudie Clifford of Kerry has a shot on goal which was saved during the Munster GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Kerry and Cork at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
But Kerry's issues up front run deeper than that, and were exposed by Dublin in both last year's All-Ireland final, and this year's demolition job in the league. Even aside from David Clifford, Kerry are still too dependent on his brother Paudie, as well as Seán O'Shea for scores.
Dublin All-Ireland winner Paddy Andrews appeared alongside Marc Ó Sé on GAAGO's pre-match show from Fitzgerald Stadium, and said that he felt Kerry were an "ordinary" team without David Clifford, and that their issues in the forwards were structural as well as personnel-centric.
Andrews said:
It's a big challenge for Kerry. It's not just around Clifford and trying to get scores more from the half-forward line. It's more the cohesion up front as well.
We saw in the All-Ireland final last year that if David Clifford has an off day, Kerry are an ordinary team. I agree with Marc - I'm not trying to wind you up!
I think they're a rung below the likes of Dublin and Derry. It's three weeks ago since that league final and everyone has been talking about Dublin and Derry as the teams ahead. Kerry have work to do to catch up.
The forwards unit and the cohesion up front is an area to improve, they need to start with that today. The middle third - not just the midfield - I think is an issue for them. And then, also, they're light at the back without Jason Foley.
That forward unit - can we see a bit more cohesion up front and take a bit of the burden off David Clifford?
Kerry will no doubt play a big role in the outcome of the All-Ireland football championship but, given their lacklustre performances thus far in 2024, it is hard to argue with Ó Sé and Andrews' read on their standing in the race for Sam.
Dublin and Derry certainly seem to have a march on the 38-time All-Ireland champions, but time will tell whether Jack O'Connor's side will grow as the championship summer develops.
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