What were the main talking points after yesterday’s defeat to Monaghan? Plus some more action shots from yesterday’s game in Austin Stack Park…

1. Kerry can still advance…but still go down as well 

Making the long trip north to Tyrone next week, Kerry will have a lot to play for. In a bizarre situation, Kerry can still manage to qualify for the league semi-finals or get relegated to Division 2.

With Kerry’s score difference standing at -11 and Tyrone’s at -14, Tyrone will have to win by two points to ensure survival and relegate Kerry.

On the flip side of that, if Monaghan earn another scalp against Dublin at home next week and Kerry win in Omagh, a semi-final spot will be booked.

2. A mighty wind

The strong gale had a massive baring on this game and it’s fair to say Monaghan won out on the day because they made better use of it.

At the end of the first half Kerry only had a three point advantage, kicking ten wides to Monaghan’s one. That sort of wastefulness more often than not will come back to bite you on the backside.

3. A tale of two goal chances

With the fine margins of this game, it can be said the game turned on a missed goal opportunity by Barry John Keane and Monaghan going up the field straight after it and nailing their’s.

When the chance fell fortuitously in the second half to Barry John Keane, from one of the few long balls to Dongahy that the Farney men didn’t deal with, Barry John attempted to score soccer style, but pulled his shot wide.

Kerry would have went three points up and probably would have held on to win – these are the breaks.

4. Sluggishness 

There was a lack of drive from Kerry yesterday which was met by a Monaghan side that looked fitter and faster.

Kerry’s best spell came at the beginning of the first half. With the wind at their backs, Kerry were five points to zero up after 17 minutes, from then on Monaghan outscored Kerry by 1-11 to five points, which is a pretty shocking fall off in return.

Losing Paul Geaney before the break handicapped the attack. For the Dingle man’s two starting partners in the full-forward line, yesterday was a game to forget.

You’d wonder also was it worth playing a sweeper in the first half? With Monaghan fully entrenched inside their own 45, Peter Crowley held that duty which left Kerry effectively outnumbered when they attacked.

Scroll down for more images from yesterday’s game…