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July 12 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Croke Park Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Kerry defeated Dublin by 2-18 to 0-20 in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final on Sunday July 12th at Croke Park.
Match Highlights
WATCH: FULL-TIME HIGHLIGHTS 📺@Kerry_Official have booked their place in the All-Ireland Final after a four-point victory over @DubGAAOfficial in Croke Park 🔥⚡️#DUBvKER
Catch up on the action below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/AU4LL2kp5C
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 12, 2026
🏐 REPORT: @Kerry_Official edged out @DubGAAOfficial at @CrokePark #GAA ⬇️https://t.co/EagFBKv6F4
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 12, 2026
All-Ireland SFC SF: Kerry reach decider
Kerry 2-18 Dublin 0-20
Report By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park for GAA.ie
Stern questions were posed by Dublin, but Kerry summoned the answers to book a place in the All-Ireland SFC Final.
Ger Brennan’s defiant and dynamic team got so much right at GAA headquarters, but Kerry were that bit slicker converting opportunities. In a tight match, the efficiency mattered deeply.
Dublin will reflect on missed opportunities, but the past month has brought plenty of encouragement for Brennan’s outfit.
Jack O’Connor’s savvy Kerry side pounced to score goals at crucial times in a keenly contested encounter, especially after the restart. Dublin had commenced the second half admirably, edging three points ahead, but Seán O’Brien’s goal was a decisive moment.
Charlie McMorrow replied with a Dublin score, but Kerry, promoted by Paudie Clifford, seized the initiative. The Clifford brothers landed two pointers either side of a single from Paudie as Kerry moved four clear.
Dublin battled until the end, but it wasn’t enough. Kerry closed out the deal.
An early two point free from the splendid Cormac Costello signalled Dublin’s intent, but Kerry netted a third minute goal.
Peadar Ó Cofaigh was adjudged to have fouled Joe O’Connor resulting in a Kerry penalty. David Clifford’s effort was saved by Evan Comerford, but the Fossa attacker netted the rebound.
The first half was hard fought with Kerry accumulating a 1-7 to 0-8 advantage by the 26th minute. Then Dublin enjoyed an enterprising burst as Costello (two) and McMorrow contributed points.
Kerry, though, restored parity on the cusp of half-time courtesy of a sweet Seán O’Shea effort. Delicately poised.
When the action recommenced Paddy Small, the inspirational Brian Howard, and Colm Basquel guided Dublin three in front. Kerry survived a subsequent scare when a Con O’Callaghan goal attempt was blocked.
Kerry were back on terms in the 43rd minute as O’Brien connected with a Dylan Geaney delivery to supply a critical goal.
Dublin went ahead, but Kerry, with Paudie Clifford hugely effective, accumulated a 2-15 to 0-16 lead when O’Shea thumped over a 52nd minute two pointer.
Ross McGarry was denied a goal by a Shane Murphy save on 57, but Dublin continued to persevere. Substitute Tomás Kennedy palmed over a point with three minutes left ensuring Kerry were 2-17 to 0-18 ahead.
Seán Bugler and Niall Scully pointed, trimming the deficit to three prior to David Clifford’s insurance score. Kerry did enough.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-5 (1 2pt), Paudie Clifford 0-5 (1 2pt), Seán O’Shea 0-4 (1 2pt, 1m), Graham O’Sullivan 0-2, Dylan Geaney and Tomás Kennedy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dublin: Cormac Costello 0-7 (1 2ptf, 1 45), Colm Basquel 0-3, Paddy Small, Brian Howard, and Charlie McMorrow 0-2 each, Niall Scully and Seán Bugler 0-1 each.
Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Graham O’Sullivan, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Brien; Joe O’Connor, Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O’Connor; David Clifford, Seán O’Shea, Dylan Geaney.
Subs: Brian Ó Beaglaíoch for O’Sullivan (43), Keith Evans for O’Brien (47), Evan Looney for Murphy (59), Armin Heinrich for White (59), Tomás Kennedy for Geaney (63).
Dublin: Evan Comerford; Lee Gannon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Eoin Kennedy, Alex Gavin, Charlie McMorrow; Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard; Paddy Small, Ciarán Kilkenny, Niall Scully; Colm Basquel, Con O’Callaghan, Cormac Costello.
Subs: Cian Murphy for Gavin (51), Ross McGarry for Ó Cofaigh Byrne (55), Seán Bugler for Kennedy (58), Seán Guiden for Small (63).
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).
Team News
🏐 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT | All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Kerry will play Dublin in the 2026 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final on Sunday at 4pm in Croke Park.
For full team news: https://t.co/Oeis5ozrdg#WeAreKerry #CiarraíAbú pic.twitter.com/KOzQomcCtq
— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) July 9, 2026
KERRY: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Graham O’Sullivan, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O’Shea, Sean O’Brien; Joe O’Connor, Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O’Connor; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Dylan Geaney.
Subs: Sean Broderick, Evan Looney, Tony Brosnan, Keith Evans, Sean O’Shea, Armin Heinrich, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Tadhg Morley, Micheal Burns, Tom O’Sullivan, Tomás Kennedy.
Stand By Players: Shane Ryan, Killian Spillane, Cillian Trant, Charlie Keating
Ger Brennan has named his Dublin Senior Football panel to face Kerry on Sunday 👕🔥#UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/WrO1Sd9ITf
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) July 9, 2026
DUBLIN: Evan Comerford; Sean MacMahon, Eoin Kennedy, David Byrne; Lee Gannon, Theo Clancy, Charlie McMorrow; Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard; Colm Basquel, Con O’Callaghan, Niall Scully; Paddy Small, Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello.
Subs: Hugh O’Sullivan, Tom Lahiff, Eoghan O’Callaghan, Cian Murphy, Seán Guiden, Josh Bannon, Ross McGarry, Alex Gavin, Seán Bugler, Tim Deering.
Stand By Players: Eoin Murchan, Luke Breathnach, Jack Lundy, Greg McEneaney
Dublin v Kerry: All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final Preview
Dublin and Kerry meet in the championship for the first time since the 2023 All-Ireland final in what will be the 34th championship clash between the counties since their first meeting in 1892.
Kerry hold the overall advantage with 18 wins to Dublin’s 12, while three previous meetings ended in draws.
The Kingdom, defending All-Ireland champions, are aiming to reach a second successive final, while Dublin are looking to return to the decider for the first time since their 2023 triumph over Kerry.
Championship Journey So Far
Dublin
| Competition | Result |
|---|---|
| Leinster Quarter-Final | Dublin 2-16 Wicklow 2-14 |
| Leinster Semi-Final | Dublin 0-20 Louth 0-10 |
| Leinster Final | Westmeath 2-28 Dublin 0-26 (aet) |
| All-Ireland Round 1 | Louth 4-18 Dublin 1-24 |
| All-Ireland Round 2 | Dublin 1-24 Cavan 0-16 |
| All-Ireland Round 3 | Dublin 2-26 Donegal 2-22 (aet) |
| All-Ireland Quarter-Final | Dublin 1-25 Galway 1-21 |
Played: 7 Won: 5 Lost: 2
Kerry
| Competition | Result |
|---|---|
| Munster Semi-Final | Kerry 2-19 Clare 1-14 |
| Munster Final | Kerry 1-23 Cork 1-15 |
| All-Ireland Round 1 | Donegal 2-20 Kerry 0-16 |
| All-Ireland Round 2 | Kerry 3-22 Kildare 0-17 |
| All-Ireland Round 3 | Kerry 4-18 Armagh 0-17 |
| All-Ireland Quarter-Final | Kerry 2-25 Tyrone 0-27 |
Played: 6 Won: 5 Lost: 1
Last Ten Championship Meetings
| Year | Result | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dublin 1-15 Kerry 1-13 | All-Ireland Final |
| 2022 | Kerry 1-14 Dublin 1-13 | All-Ireland Semi-Final |
| 2019 | Dublin 1-18 Kerry 0-15 | All-Ireland Final Replay |
| 2019 | Dublin 1-16 Kerry 1-16 | All-Ireland Final |
| 2016 | Dublin 0-22 Kerry 2-14 | All-Ireland Semi-Final |
| 2015 | Dublin 0-12 Kerry 0-9 | All-Ireland Final |
| 2013 | Dublin 3-18 Kerry 3-11 | All-Ireland Semi-Final |
| 2011 | Dublin 1-12 Kerry 1-11 | All-Ireland Final |
| 2009 | Kerry 1-24 Dublin 1-7 | All-Ireland Quarter-Final |
| 2007 | Kerry 1-15 Dublin 0-16 | All-Ireland Semi-Final |
Record over last 10 meetings: Dublin 6 wins, Kerry 3 wins, Draws 1.
Championship Record By Decade
| Decade | Dublin | Kerry | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1900s | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1920s | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1930s | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1950s | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970s | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020s | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 12 | 18 | 3 |
Key Facts
- Jack O’Connor is attempting to guide Kerry into an All-Ireland final for the ninth time, having previously reached finals in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
- Ger Brennan is in his first season as Dublin manager.
- Kerry conceded no goals in their last three championship games against Kildare, Armagh and Tyrone, while scoring nine goals at the other end.
- Kerry beat Dublin by 1-16 to 1-10 in Round 4 of the Allianz Football League this year. Played in Croke Park before a crowd of 25,027, Kerry led by eight points after 60 minutes before Dublin reduced the gap to three. Tony Brosnan top-scored for the Kingdom with 1-2.
Experience Counts
Dublin Championship Appearances
- Ciarán Kilkenny – 86
- Cormac Costello – 66
- Con O’Callaghan – 63
- Niall Scully – 62
- Brian Howard – 59
- David Byrne – 53
Kerry Championship Appearances
- Paul Geaney – 66
- Paul Murphy – 63
- Tadhg Morley – 56
- Jason Foley – 51
- Gavin White – 51
- David Clifford – 51
2026 League & Championship Record
| County | Played | Won | Drew | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Kerry | 14 | 9 | 2 | 3 |
Verdict: The latest instalment of Gaelic football’s greatest rivalry sees defending champions Kerry attempt to reach a second successive All-Ireland final, while Dublin seek a return to the decider after a two-year absence. With recent meetings producing some of the championship’s most memorable contests, another high-quality encounter is expected at Croke Park.
