A first win in Tralee for more than four decades will be a huge boost for Dessie Farrell's new-look Dublin, according to former player Ciarán Whelan.
Playing into a stiff breeze at Austin Stack Park, the Boys in Blue toiled in the opening 35 minutes as Kerry found their range. Despite dominating possession, Farrell’s could find little penetration and trailed by 11 points at the interval.
The wind was always a significant factor, so while a Dublin comeback was always likely, limiting the hosts to just three points after the resumption – one of those a tap-over Sean O’Shea free for a breach of the three-up rule – was a real statement from the visitors.
Ciarán Kilkennyand player of the match Seán Bugler led the Dublin charge, but Whelan says the performances of those looking to stake claims for starting championship spots was most pleasing.
"The new players stood up," Whelan said. "Luke Breathnach came on and kicked a two-pointer, Lorcan O’Dell kicked two two-pointers.
FT: Kerry 1-15 Dublin 0-19 Lorcan O'Dell got two two-pointers as a big impact sub.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) February 15, 2025
📺 Watch Kerry v Dublin on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
📻 Listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
🖥️ Follow a live blog here 👇
https://t.co/9OcRaZbWP0 pic.twitter.com/VK3MFVfVHf
"David Clifford came on for Kerry for 20 minutes and Theo Clancy nullified him.
"For this Dublin team, it’s character building. The confidence that they will take from this going down the road, it’s a big thing for them as we didn’t see it coming at half-time.
"It was a brilliant second-half from Dublin."
Reflecting on where it went wrong for Jack O’Connor’s side, five-time All-Ireland winner with Kerry Colm Cooper said Kerry’s domination of the middle third was no-where to be seen after the interval.
"Kerry got turned over so easily," he said. "Shane Ryan struggled on the kickout, though not just him. A lot of the kickouts came out the same side.
"They faded badly. Jack O’Connor will know they have a lot of work to do."
