Kerry 2-13
Donegal 2-11

Kerry survived a late scare to repeat their All-Ireland final victory over Donegal in a feisty encounter watched by 6,215 spectators in Tralee.

With Bryan Sheehan deadly accurate from placed balls, the Kingdom held a slender 0-9 to 1-5 half-time lead after Ryan McHugh's goal had given Donegal the early initiative. The visitors grabbed the first two points of the second half to regain the lead, but Kerry then took control with goals from Barry John Keane and David Moran (penalty) to move five points clear with as many minutes remaining.

But they were left hanging on for their third win of the campaign when Michael Murphy converted the game's second penalty in the 69th minute.

Donegal had wind advantage in the first half, but fell behind to a brace of early Sheehan frees. Paddy McBrearty and Michael Murphy (free) replied with points before McHugh netted in the 10th minute to give the visitors the lead for the first time.

The Kingdom regained parity with scores from Paul Murphy and Barry John Keane before David Moran edged them back in front. Sheehan kicked his third and fourth frees and then punched over to make it 0-9 to 1-2. But the Ulster champions responded with scores from Murphy - who was lucky not to be sent off for a high challenge - and Martin McElhinney to trail by the minimum at the break.

Sheehan was unable to resume because of a rib injury for the second half, while Donegal introduced Colm McFadden for a record-equalling 129th appearance in place of his namesake Hugh. Within minutes, Rory Gallagher's men had overturned Kerry's slender half-time advantage thanks to a Murphy '45' and McBrearty's second. But a fisted goal from Barry John Keane in the 45th minute put the All-Ireland champions back in the driving seat.

Paul Geaney and Alan Fitzgerald - who had replaced Sheehan - added points to push them three clear, 1-11 to 1-8, before Donegal left the minimum between the sides again with efforts from McBrearty and Neil Gallagher.

Kerry introduced Tommy Walsh for Geaney and Killian Young saw a goal chance go abegging before Johnny Buckley made it a two-point game, 1-12 to 1-10, with 15 minutes remaining.

The hosts looked to have finally put the result beyond doubt when David Moran fired a penalty to the corner of the net, but they had to endure a nervous final few moments after another penalty was awarded at the other end for a foul on McFadden, and Murphy made no mistake with a powerful drive past Brendan Kealy.

Kerry - B Kealy; P Kilkenny, M Griffin, P Murphy (0-1); J Lyne, P Crowley, K Young; A Maher, D Moran (1-1, 1-0pen); S O'Brien (0-1), B Sheehan (0-6, 3f, 1'45), J Buckley (0-1); P Geaney (0-1), K Donaghy, BJ Keane (1-1). Subs: A Fitzgerald (0-1) for B Sheehan, S Enright for P Kilkenny, T Walsh for P Geaney, P O'Donoghue for BJ Keane, F Fitzgerald for P Crowley, K O'Leary for J Buckley.

Donegal - P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; E Doherty, K Lacey, M McHugh; N Gallagher (0-1), C Toye; M O'Reilly, M McElhinney (0-1), R McHugh (1-0); P McBrearty (0-4), M Murphy (1-3, 1-0pen, 0-2f, 0-1'45), H McFadden (0-1). Subs: C McFadden (0-1) for M McElhinney, A Thompson for E Doherty, M McElhinney for H McFadden, E McHugh for M O'Reilly, G McFadden for M McHugh, D McLaughlin for C Toye.

Referee - R Hickey.

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