Kerry will be Mayo's opponents in All-Ireland SFC final

Mayo's opponents in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final will be Kerry.

The defending champions defeated Dublin by 2-18 to 0-20 in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Goals in either half by David Clifford (a rebound following a penalty that was saved by Dublin 'keeper Evan Comerford) and Seán O'Brien helped the Kingdom over the line in a game that the Dubs controlled for large periods.

The problems for Ger Brennan's men surfaced in the scoring department, with many of their efforts in front of the target going wayward.

Kerry, by contrast, were better at converting their opportunites. There was, however, an air of controversy surrounding both their goals. The penalty that led to the first goal – given for what was adjudged to have been a foul by Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne on Joe O'Connor – could be considered harsh, while the second goal looked like a square ball infringement.

In addition, a second-half shot by Dublin's Ross McGarry may well have been over the line before a Kerry defender cleared the ball.

The manager of the Kingdom, Jack O'Connor, acknowledged that there was an element of luck in their victory.

“That Dublin team, they put it right up to us,” he said. “And I thought at times maybe we got a bit lucky. Good defending, but a bit of luck as well."

The final between Mayo and Kerry will be played in Croke Park, Dublin, on Sunday, July 26, with a throw-in time of 3.30 p.m.