All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-final: Kerry 3-20 Cavan 1-17 Kerry secured their place in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals with a 3-20 to 1-17 victory over Cavan in Killarney — though the result leaves as many questions as answers about their title credentials.

Despite building a commanding 13-point lead early on, the Kingdom were left rattled as Cavan fought back to within four points midway through the second half, only to ultimately run out of steam in the final stages.

At the interval, Kerry led by 10, a margin that arguably flattered them after a dominant but wasteful first half. The hosts had kicked eight wides, struck the woodwork twice, and lost Diarmuid O’Connor to injury just three minutes in. Nonetheless, they restricted Cavan to a mere three efforts from play before the break — one wide, one blocked, and one converted.

Cavan, to their credit, displayed real character after the break, closing the gap and momentarily shaking the hosts. However, Kerry eventually found another gear, closing the match out comfortably — though without the emphatic display expected of an All-Ireland contender.

Clifford the Star, But Kerry Wasteful
The tone was set early when David Clifford brushed past Niall Carolan along the end line and calmly slotted in the opening goal. Moments later, Dylan Geaney fisted over, and after Carolan was shown a black card, Kerry added 1-3 without reply — Clifford netting his second after a slick one-two with Paul Murphy, slamming the ball in off the post.

At 2-6 to 0-2 by the 19th minute, the match appeared done and dusted. Cavan momentarily steadied the ship with a long-range free from Paddy Lynch, but Kerry responded again, with Seán O’Shea knocking over a stylish two-pointer and Geaney adding another score after Liam Brady denied Clifford a hat-trick. At that point, the margin was back to 13.

Lynch closed the half with a pair of brilliant long-range scores — including a monster from 50 metres — to keep the deficit to 10 at the break, though a Cavan comeback seemed far-fetched at that point.

Cavan Fight Back, But Kerry Respond
Clifford fisted over early in the second half, and Shane Ryan converted a 45 to extend the lead. But the game swung when Oisín Brady’s shot dropped short, Pádraig Faulkner got a fist to it, and Evan Crowe palmed the ball into the net — breathing life into Cavan’s challenge.

Oisín Kiernan then added a two-pointer, and Faulkner himself came close to another goal, only for his shot to fly over the bar. At 2-16 to 1-15, the match was suddenly back in the balance.

Kerry, under pressure, managed a score from Conor Geaney, but Cavan came again — Ryan O’Neill firing over and Lynch landing the point of the match from 50 metres to close the gap to four on 58 minutes.

However, Kerry's bench proved decisive. With Paudie Clifford, Killian Spillane, and Mike Breen entering the fray, the Kingdom found renewed energy. Clifford eventually completed his hat-trick after Brady saved from Joe O’Connor, and Kerry finished strongly with points from Ryan (free) and Breen.

Team Line-ups
Kerry: Shane Ryan (0-1, 45); Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Tadhg Morley, Gavin White; Jack O’Connor, Stephen O’Brien; Diarmuid O’Connor, Seán O’Shea (0-2, 2pt), Graham O’Sullivan (0-1); David Clifford (3-3, 1f), Conor Geaney (0-2), Dylan Geaney (0-2).
Subs: Micheál O’Shea for D O’Connor (3’), Dylan Casey for T Morley (43’), Paudie Clifford for C Geaney (56’), Killian Spillane (0-1) for D Geaney (56’), Mike Breen (0-1) for B Ó Beaglaoich (66’).

Cavan: Liam Brady; Niall Carolan, Oisín Kiernan (0-1), Cian Reilly; Barry O’Connell, Ciaran Brady, Pádraig Faulkner (0-1); James McLoughlin (0-1), Evan Crowe (1-0); Gerard Smith, Dara McVeety, Oisín Brady; Cian O’Reilly, Paddy Lynch (0-8, 2ptf, 4f), Sean McEvoy.
Subs: Luke Fortune for C Reilly (8’), Cormac Madden for S McEvoy (43’), Ryan O’Neill (0-1) for O Brady (56’), Ryan Donohoe for J McLoughlin (60’), Kevin Brady for B O’Connell (temp 64’, reversed 66’).

Referee: J Henry (Mayo)