Kerry had too many strengths in too many departments to allow Cork any real chance of winning this game. After all the questions over Kerry's form they still proved to be a very hard side to beat and that is something that will carry them through this All-Ireland campaign with ominous momentum.

I think both sides struggled to get going and found it difficult to score in the early stages. Cork were having problems with possession and although they had their chances, appeared a bit shooting shy. Their build-up into scoring territory was slow and ponderous and made it easy to defend against. Kerry were doing a good job in that area through their half-back line of Seamus Moynihan and a rock solid Liam O'Flaherty but I think the full-back line could have been a bit tighter on occasions.

Even with Cork playing with the wind they generally held on to the ball too much and concentrated on the short passing. Aidan Dorgan and Joe Kavanagh were doing well but Dara O Se definitely had the upper hand in the middle of the field in his duel with Damien O'Neill and that didn't help matters much for Cork. Dara O Cinneide and John Crowley were also in the thick of things from the start with O Cinneide especially picking up the pace when it was needed.

Maurice Fitzgerald, it has to be said, looked a bit ring-rusty and off the pace in the first half and may be not as sharp as last year. Michael Francis Russell, however, came up trumps as we saw by his three sweet points with his left foot at vital moments in the game. Maurice, in fairness, was still able to produce that special effort when it mattered most with his stroke of genius that in a flash had Kerry back in the game.

Call it a gamble or whatever you want, but Larry Tompkins was another weakness in the Cork side. He was struggling with the pace from the start and I always said that centre forward is a safe position if you want to hide that. Still, Liam Flaherty was able to dominate without much trouble and as a result the Cork attack lacked speed and ideas. Joe Kavanagh was given little support in his role and even with his five points was not as effective as expected. As I said, the Kerry full-back line seemed to be in trouble at times but Cork still played the game into Kerry's hands by slowing up the attacks just when Kerry appeared vulnerable. Cork's handling of the high ball was poor and they were to slow to anticipate the flick-on by Kerry.

As the game progressed it was clear that Kerry were superior on the attack and that was the ultimate downfall of Cork. While Crowley and Russell proved capable of putting over points with ease and were also complimented by O Cinneide, Cork, in contrast, left you wondering where the points would come from.

The game was obviously still in the balance when they came out level in the second half and even though Kerry had the wind with them, they know that will never win the game alone. The Cork half backs were coming forward on numerous occasions but not transferring that into scores. Kerry had much less possession in the first 10 minutes of the half but were more able and adept at conjuring up the critical scoring chances that took them two points ahead.

Cork then had that wonderful score when O'Regan made no mistake in finding the net but still the outfield players were over-carrying as well as spoiling too many opportunities. As a result they were unable to hold that position and let Maurice Fitzgerald score yet another championship goal. If Cork had only played more direct ball, then maybe it could have been different.

Brian Corcoran was also having a poor day and this allowed Crowley to kick at least five points from play which is generally unusual for him. This added a whole new dimension to the Kerry game and, together with Russell, the scoring opportunities for Kerry were very well taken.

Another major element of the this Kerry side was the impressive introduction of players like Liam Brosnan and Noel Keneally. Both had plenty of pace and were able to pick up the speed of the game at a crucial time. It certainly augers well for the future of Kerry football that there is so much talented youth waiting in line.

If they tighten up a bit at full back, then I think this is a team that can retain the All-Ireland.

(In an interview with Ian O'Riordan)