With McGuigan having troubled Foley, Tom O’Sullivan took over man-marking duties, but it was another tussle that threatened to inject some much-needed spice as McKaigue and David Clifford’s battle grew increasingly tetchy, resulting in yellow cards for both players after a coming together 15 minutes into the second half.
As McKaigue and Clifford tussled off the ball, Derry forced a crucial turnover with Seanie O’Shea bearing down on goal and worked the ball up to Paul Cassidy, who scored off the post.
Cassidy’s point tied the game at 0-8 apiece but that was where things went awry for the Oak Leafers. First, a trademark foray forward by Odhran Lynch culminated in the Magherafelt goalkeeper gifting possession to the Kingdom.
While Lynch was spared a haunting sequel to his back-tracking display against Donegal earlier in the year, O’Shea scored a point which was quickly followed up by a superb effort from Killian Spillane seconds after he was introduced.
An excellent Rogers reply put Derry back to within two, but a quick Kerry double by Tony Brosnan and O’Shea restored daylight in the Kingdom’s favour.
From there, Harte’s men unable to fashion a goal opportunity as Kerry negotiated the closing stages, their muted celebrations in stark contrast to Galway’s delirium.
Kerry’s skirmishes with Ulster sides are not done, of course. They will face Armagh in a fortnight’s time after the Orchard men beat Roscommon on Saturday to reach the last four for the first time in 19 years.
As for Derry, they are facing a sombre post-season review, a campaign that promised so much having petered out.
Kerry: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan; Brian O Beaglaoich (0-1), Tadhg Morley, Gavin White (0-1); Diarmuid O’Connor (0-1), Joe O’Connor (0-1); Tony Brosnan (0-2), Paudie Clifford, Dara Moynihan; David Clifford (0-3, 1m, 1f), Sean O’Shea (0-3, 2f), Paul Geaney (0-1).
Subs: Cillian Burke for Moynihan (’53), Killian Spillane (0-1) for Geaney (’57), D Geaney (0-1) for Brosnan (’62), Adrian Spillane for J O’Connor (’68), Mike Breen for O Beaglaoich (’70+2).
Derry: Odhran Lynch (0-1); Conor McCluskey, Christopher McKaigue, Diarmuid Baker; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Eoin McEvoy; Conor Glass (0-1), Brendan Rogers (0-2); Ethan Doherty, Ciaran McFaul, Paul Cassidy (0-1); Eunan Mulholland, Shane McGuigan (0-5, 3f), Lachlan Murray.
Subs: Niall Toner for Mulholland (half-time), Niall Loughlin for Murray (’59), Emmett Bradley for McFaul (’65), Cormac Murphy for Cassidy (’65).
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).
