So now we know our four semi-finalists in the All Ireland SFC quarter finals in Croke Park.
The four games last weekend were much anticipated but failed to deliver in terms of excitement.
However, there were still interesting statistical trends to delve into as Kerry, Monaghan, Derry and Dublin prevailed.
Tyrone, Armagh, Cork and Mayo will have a long winter to regroup.
Turnovers key for Kerry
Most of the plaudits for Jack O’Connor’s side went to David Clifford, Sean O’Shea and the rest of the attacking cavalry but the defence was tight knit all day.
An unexpected showing by some, Jason Foley, Tadhg Morley, Graham O’Sullivan and Tom O’Sullivan shut Tyrone down, beating them 2-18 to 0-12.
The Kingdom had 24 turnovers compared to Tyrone’s 14. 20 of those Kerry turnovers happened inside their own ‘45.
The likes of Darren McCurry (who didn’t score from play), Darragh Canavan and Mattie Donnelly (who didn’t score at all) were starved of possession.
The All Ireland champions defensive structure was called into question in multiple games this year, including their 1-19 to 0-17 defeat to Mayo.
They produced a big performance where it mattered most, GAA HQ.
They certainly were waiting in the long grass.
Monaghan intent and shrewdness
Looking at the stats in the Armagh-Monaghan clash, the shots from play was the big standout, as the game ended 0-14 apiece after extra time.
Monaghan won 9-8 on penalties.
In 90 minutes of football, Monaghan had 24 shots from play, Armagh had 15.
The reason for this: Monaghan’s smart fouling.
Armagh were relying on frees to keep in the game, half their scores came from placed balls.
Even in the last minute of normal time, the tackle to deny Armagh a late win was vital.
Some, including Kieran McGeeney, would argue it was a free. However, if the replay is carefully watched, it was a perfectly timed shoulder.
If Rian O’Neill’s wonderscore ended up as the winner, the wrong team would have made it to the last four as Monaghan won every facet of play.
Penalties may be a cruel way to lose but in this game, the right team won out.
Cork misses prove costly
Derry played this game on their terms, no surprise there then as they ran out 1-12 to 1-8 victors.
Having said that though, Cork will feel it was one that got away despite their brilliant season.
The Rebels had 24 shots, converted nine. 37%. In an All-Ireland quarterfinal, that’s not good enough.
There was an instance of their wayward shooting straight away.
John Cleary’s side kept the ball for three minutes after winning the throw-in. The passage of play ended in a Steven Sherlock wide.
In these games, those chances have to be taken, especially after the work being put into them.
Derry had only two wides in the first half, Cork had 4 while missing three other attempts.
Difference in experience.
Conceding that number of shots will be a concern for Ciaran Meenagh and Derry, especially with the All Ireland holders up next.
The clinical Dublin back?
At half time, the score was Dublin 1-6 Mayo 0-8, and it could have been 1-8 had Jordan Flynn’s major been allowed.
The Dubs had a 50% shot conversion rate in the first half, not that impressive.
Come the second half came the famous Dublin third quarter surge.
15 shots in the second spell, 12 taken, 80% in the half.
They won the match by 2-17 to 0-11, winning the second half 1-11 to 0-3.
For a game that was in the melting pot for quite a while, that is superb composure and reminded us of the Dublin of old.
Colm Basquel got the two important goals, taking his championship tally to 5-15 from play, more than any other player from play this season.
Dessie Farrell’s side are clicking, the question is can Monaghan burst their bubble?
