Kerry and Derry played out a massively intriguing contest at Croke Park yesterday, one that Jack O'Connor's side will feel relieved to ultimately come through unscathed.
Derry were the better side for large portions of the game, most notably in the first half. They were three points ahead at the interval and the scoreline in no way flattered them.
However, Kerry's talent would ultimately come to the fore in the second half. They battled away throughout and with the scores level in the final few minutes, they were the ones that managed to find a few all important points to decide the game.
Tomás Ó Sé points out off the ball incidents in Kerry vs Derry
Yesterday's game was a very entertaining one, although there were a couple of aspects of the play that annoyed some. That was especially true when it came to off the ball incidents, with both sides unafraid to engage in the 'dark arts' in an effort to throw their opponents off their game.
David Clifford and Shane McGuigan, arguably the best forwards in the country at the moment, were particularly targeted throughout.
Speaking on The Sunday Game, Tomás Ó Sé hinted that this approach from the two teams had a big impact on the game.
.@whelo35 on 'momentum breakers', @tomas5ky on the 'off-the-ball stuff' as Kerry edged Derry #rtegaa #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/TNprNI2NfA
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 16, 2023
There was desperate battles going on, there was an awful lot of off the ball stuff going on on both sides from an early stage.
It's very difficult, you always look at the umpires in that situation. You will hear Derry people complaining, but I saw [Chrissy] McKaigue give [David] Clifford enough of it as well. [David] Clifford and [Shane] McGuigan are class, they wouldn't complain or whatever it is.
But there was an awful lot of off the ball stuff.
This has been part and parcel of the GAA for as long as we can remember, although it is not a side of the game that is welcomed by everyone. Supporters want to see the top forwards thrive on the big stage and they are most often the players targeted in this manner.
Ciaran Whelan said that he felt the likes of Clifford and McGuigan should be entitled to a bit of extra protection from the match officials as a result.
I think within the game we have a duty to protect our really good players. Shane McGuigan and David Clifford are two of our top players in the game at the moment.
They both took a lot of stick off the ball and were targeted. That's the nature of this game and it has been going on for years. You would just hopes, with linesmen and umpires there, just give them that extra bit of protection because they do deserve it, they're top players for a reason and they're going to draw attention.
There is no doubt that both teams gave as good as they got in this regard, even if it is a side of the game that some are uncomfortable with.
You can be sure that it will play a part in the All-Ireland final in a couple of weeks when Kerry take on the Dubs.
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