There are a few simple facts to the Kerry Donegal match
Kerry gave Donegal a lesson in football during the All Ireland final Donegal have made a few changes and are now a better team (especially looking at Kerry - 5 all stars)
Murphy should have been sent off.
The Kerry supporters were all about Murphy the last day and so were the Kerry defenders - its not the first time he has got that. Diarmuid Connolly, Lee Keegan, Francie Bellew, Aiden O Shea, Liam McHale, Graham Geraghty, Donaghy etc - there has always been lads who get the crowd riled up and bring a bit of extra heat from the opposition. Anyone getting on their high horse over the Kerry support at home championship match doesn't go to too many Gaelic Football (or any other sport) matches. Nothing happens in Cricket, but the crowd still love a panto villian and there is plenty sledging, crowd cheering etc.
Murphy doesn't help himself either - he ran the whole length of the pitch to get involved with Clifford - evening ploughing on past McHugh and leaving him to be man handled by 2 kerrymen (and ultimately punched). He did it knowing he would attract Kerry men and maybe get one or two carded, not necessarily to hit anyone - he simply walked straight through the melee - which kept it going after Clifford had started it and got out of there.
Jim McGuiness (and the Maor Uisce) embarrassed themselves on the pitch (and in the post match interview) the last day. McHugh got a cut above his eye - rather than let the doctor deal with in properly, McHugh was rubbing his hand on the cut and showing it around, making it look worse that it was. Then all the Donegal lads got up in arms shouting at the ref. It was an embarrassment, if even one of them says they never saw a lad get a punch like that, they are lying. Yes is shouldn't have happened, but let the ref deal with it. If the ref doesn't deal with it - then sort it yourself later. Running around pointing fingers and shouting like its school yard is embarrassing for everyone.
Donegal got under Kerrys skin in the last few matches - Kerry lost their heads on the day. Kerry now need to regroup and find a solution before they meet again. None of these last 3 wins by Donegal will mean anything if Kerry figure it out and come back and beat them in the All Ireland.
We used to see the same carry on in the Dublin - Mayo matches 10 years ago - it was enthralling, exciting and well worth watching. Now we have it again between Kerry and Donegal - long may the rivalry continue.
Replying To Expertinall: "Tailteann might be cavans level..... Your probably hoping to draw them in next round! Still you can't deny the Munster opposition have fallen out of the Tailteann without much fight."
It is a surprise. Limerick were in the final last year. Thought Clare would have made an impact. Possibly Clare underestimated the Tailteann after benefitting from lopsided provincial draws in recent years to avoid the Tailteann.