Mayo have gotten the Sam Maguire round robin off to an ideal start, defeating Kerry on a 1-19 to 0-17 scoreline in Killarney.
It was a game that they never really looked like losing, having started the much better of the two sides. They produced a number of excellent scores in the opening half, going on to lead by five points at the interval.
While David Clifford would attempt to inspire a Kerry comeback in the second half, they could never quite get within touching distance of the opposition. However, a goal from Eoghan McLoughlin would prove to be crucial in keeping Mayo in front.
Eoghan McLaughlin strikes low and hard into the net to extend Mayo's lead with time running out now for Kerry.
Watch the game live on https://t.co/C7FxP1q5Ku pic.twitter.com/kN0em92iWC— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 20, 2023
They would go on to win by five points.
Michael Murphy identifies biggest worry for Kerry after Mayo loss
While this was a fantastic afternoon for Mayo, it will be a worrying one for Kerry. Having failed to impress in the league and strolled through the Munster championship so far in 2023, they have now lost the first game in the Sam Maguire round robin.
It was also their first championship loss in Killarney since 1995. While they will fancy their chances of winning the next two games, they will need to improve greatly to ensure they do so.
Speaking on GAAGO, Michael Murphy said that the lack of players left to come back into the squad would be a concern for Kerry.
David Clifford had a huge influence on the game, he put over some of those mesmerising scores that we have become accustomed to. Shane Ryan made a couple of big saves and Paul Geaney played well in the second half.
Outside of that, the others just weren't at the pitch of the game. Do you know what, they haven't been at the pitch of the national league. Now we have have given them another couple of weeks and we're into the super 16s, they're not at the pitch of the game.
The worrying part of it is they have nobody else to come back in. There are no massive injuries there or anybody that is missing or losing out for them.
Listen, you'd still expect them to come out of the group. Cork and Louth are the other teams in the group and you'd expect them to have enough of a reaction to come out of that.
But it's definitely worrying.
He has a point.
It will be interesting to see how the remainder of the group plays out.
SEE ALSO: Paddy Andrews Tore Into Kerry Over Brutal First Half Performance Against Mayo
