Clifford inspires Kerry to comfortable Allianz League title against Mayo

The biggest game in this year's National League unfortunately didn’t live up to expectations as Kerry cruised to the Division 1 title against an understrength Mayo at Croke Park.

Jack O’Connor’s men powered to a comprehensive fifteen points victory as David Clifford delivered another finishing masterclass.

The Kerry captain shot 1-6 (all but one point from open play) and was named man of the match as the Kingdom collected the league title for the 23rd time in front of 31,506 spectators.

James Horan’s Mayo squad have been hit hard by injuries recently and they went into their second league decider in four years without key players like Paddy Durcan and Diarmuid O’Connor. Two-time Young Footballer of the Year Oisin Mullin was also a non-starter with Rory Brickenden drafted into the Mayo defence.

Kerry took full advantage of the Westerners’ injury woes as late goals from David Clifford and full-back Jason Foley in the 65th and 72nd minutes capped off an impressive display from the Munster kingpins.

The winners had the job half done by the interval, leading by 1-10 to 0-7.

But they really turned on the style in the second period, using their superior speed around the middle third and slick forward play to rack up a match-winning tally at their ease.

The aforementioned David Clifford and Paul Geaney did most of the scoring damage, but Mayo were fighting fires all over the field.

It was a similar story in the opening half.

Five of Kerry's starting forwards had got on the scoresheet by that stage as Mayo’s depleted defence struggled to keep their pacy opponents at bay.

David Clifford, who was picked up by Padraig O’Hora, shot four points in that opening period and always looked dangerous.

Kerry were 0-7 to 0-4 ahead and already dictating