Kerry overcame an indifferent first half performance to shrug off the challenge of Mayo in a humdrum quarter-final in Croke Park.Delayed due to the chaotic and hair-raising first quarter final, this second game, contested by two A-listers from the 2010s, was an altogether more tedious affair.Mayo, while their challenge eventually fizzled out in dispiriting fashion, began in gung-ho mode, apparently transformed from their league final wipeout.Kerry, after their familiar saunter through Munster, were gingerish and hesitant in the opening quarter, the underdogs going point for point with them in the early stages.Cillian O'Connor and Conor Loftus landed scores, while Aidan O'Shea, whose point taking ability has been endlessly derided, swerved over a beauty worthy of Ciaran McDonald.They had nudged in front by the time Clifford, who successfully shrugged off an early injury scare, fired the game's decisive score.The Fossa galactico collected the ball tight to the Cusack Stand, played a delightful one-two with Paul Murphy before side-footing to the roof of the net.Only a points separated the sides at the break and Kerry's standing as All-Ireland favourites looked shaky.
Mayo held with Kerry after the break but the Munster champions managed the closing stages efficiently, Clifford and Geaney taking a couple of timely marks, while Tom O'Sullivan, a constant raider from corner back, notched three points.The Munster champions progressed to a long-awaited semi-final tie with Dublin.Mayo, whose seasons have so often ended with a roar, concluded this year with a whimper.More to follow