A 10-point win in what was supposed to be their most difficult game in Group 4 can hardly be ideal preparation for the All-Ireland quarter-final Kerry will inevitably reach
Joe O’Connor of Kerry has a shot saved by Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan
What use is a game like this for Kerry’s All-Ireland ambitions?
Though Monaghan are third seeds in the Group 4, this was considered Kerry’s toughest game of the three. Do we still think that is the case? With Meath and Louth to come, Kerry’s only Division One opposition (Monaghan will play in Division Two next year) was expected to be someway competitive in this group opener. Okay, no one was expecting a Monaghan win, – after all, Mayo’s win here 12 months ago is Kerry’s only Championship loss in Killarney since 1995 – but neither was anyone expecting Monaghan to roll over and play possum right throughout the game.
