A late David Clifford point snatched victory for Kerry as the Kingdom edged past 14-man Mayo to secure a second successive Division One victory in an enthralling encounter in a sold-out Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
In a game where the scores were level just twice, both sides were close throughout with two points at most separating them in the opening half as Jack O'Connor’s men took a two-point lead – 0-07 to 0-05 - at the break, before the visitors looked like they had grasped a late draw when the impressive Ryan O’Donoghue slotted over three minutes into stoppage time in the second half.
All Star David Clifford had other ideas, however, and with the last kick of the game the Fossa star kicked over to secure a dramatic one-point win for Jack O’Connor’s determined side.
And while Clifford's late point caught the eye in the end, it was his contribution of 0-05, along with 0-04 from his older brother Paudie, and 0-04 from Seán O’Shea that made all the difference for the home side.
And they were the only ones to impress with Gavin White, Jason Foley, Diarmuid O’Connor, and Dylan Geaney all inspiring their side to victory from the get-go.
Kerry, who welcomed the return of Fossa brothers David and Paudie Clifford to the starting XV for the first time this season, had held the lead in the game for the vast majority, with the exception of when Mayo took an early advantage and when they were level on points in the first minute and the last minute.
It was a game where both sides were within a point of each other on 12 separate occasions.
Kerry made three changes from the side that started the victory over Monaghan two weeks previous, Ronan Buckley, Dylan Geaney, and Paul Murphy making way for the Clifford brothers and Tadhg Morley all who made their first league starts of the season.
And just like they had against Derry in the opening round, the much-strengthened Munster champions played in near-perfect conditions in the first half in front of a bumper crowd in Tralee.
Mayo were ahead as early as 40 seconds in when Fergal Bolan hand passed over from close range.
Kerry, however, had other ideas and after David Clifford slotted over at the end of the next attack, his older brother Paudie had the Kingdom two ahead inside seven minutes thanks to quick-fire points from play.
The best goal chance of the half resulted in Mayo goalkeeper Colm Reape denying David Clifford as he bore down on goal. Clifford, who did well to brush aside the chasing Mayo pack, had found himself in plenty of space between the visiting defence. In truth, it was a soft final effort, much to the delight of Kevin McStay.
At most Kerry led by two points and after the lively Seán O’Shea kicked over a superb point from play midway through the opening half, Ryan O’Donoughue responded almost immediately.
From here, both sides exchanged further points before Kerry full back Jason Foley burst forward to put two between the teams at half-time. A game of chess at times, but certainly one where the near 12,000 in attendance were treated to an entertaining half of football.
Kerry went ahead by three points for the first time a minute after the restart when Daingean Uí Chúis half forward Dylan Geaney slotted over from an acute angle, but Mayo were back within two points yet again when Fergal Bolan broke the Kerry defence to score his second point from play.
And when Jordan Flynn pointed in the 43rd minute, following points from Seán O’Shea and Ryan O’Donoghue, McStay’s charges narrowed the deficit to the narrowest of margins for the seventh time.
Three minutes later, Bob Tuohy had the Connacht back to within a point – the eight time of the game – following Seán O’Shea’s third free of the evening.
And when David Clifford pointed from range in the 49th minute, Kerry held a two-point lead for the ninth time.
Just shy of the hour mark, Mayo were reduced to 14 men, when Sam Callinan saw red after a yellow card and black card combination.
It was score for score from here on in before Mayo levelled the game for only the second time with a well-taken O’Donoghue point two minutes from time. O’Donoghue’s effort finished off an impressive five-minute spell for the westerners
Cometh the hour, however, cometh the man. Up stepped David Clifford to secure victory for Jack O’Connor’s side.
Kerry: Shane Ryan; Graham O’Sullivan, Jason Foley (0-01), Dylan Casey; Tom O’Sullivan, Tadhg Morley, Gavin White; Diarmuid O’Connor (0-01), Joe O’Connor; Paudie Clifford (capt.) (0-04); Dylan Geaney (0-01), Cillian Burke; David Clifford (0-05), Seán O’Shea (0-04, 0-03f), Dara Moynihan
Subs: Conor Geaney for Dylan Geaney (49 mins), Barry Dan O’Sullivan for O’Connor (55 mins), Paul Murphy for Morley (58 mins), Adrian Spillane for Moynihan (63 mins), Ronan Buckley for Burke (67 mins)
Mayo: Colm Reape (0-01, 0-01f); Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh, Sam Callinan (0-02), Rory Brickenden, Eoghan McLaughlin, Jack Carney, Diarmuid O’Connor (0-01), Bob Tuohy (0-01), Fergal Bolan (0-03), Jordan Flynn (0-01); Aidan O’Shea, Tommy Conroy, Ryan O’Donoghue (0-05, 0-02f)
Subs: Darren McHale (0-01) for O’Shea, Enda Hession for McLaughlin (both 48 mins), Stephen Coen for McBrien (57 mins), Cillian O’Connor for Tuohy (57 mins), Ciarán Boland for Conroy (72 mins)
Referee: David O’Mahoney (Tipperary)
