As the dust settles on Kerry defeat of Kildare, Gavin O’Connor looks at what we learnt from the victory, plus our own action photos from the game…

1. The Gooch is back 

James O’Donoghue had hinted in the build-up that Cooper is a different man as soon he hits Croker. Kerry followers were urged to be patient with the returning 31-year-old and he duly delivered once more at headquarters.

Added to his tally of 2-3  was a masterclass of kicking and awareness. The pass to Donnchadh Walsh that led to Barry John Keane’s goal of his ‘waeker’ left boot was a thing of beauty.

2. Donaghy is plan B, not plan A

That’s two quarter finals in a row where Kieran Donaghy tasted no action at all in Croke Park, even though this time he had a groin problem and couldn’t play.

Last year, Donaghy spoke of the disappointment of not featuring and the long lonely drive down from Dublin where some soul-searching was done and we all know what happened.

There was an over reliance to use the long ball into ‘Star’ in both Cork matches and it made Kerry’s game look unattractive. With Colm Cooper the focal point, there is a lot more variety of movement in the attacks.  Should we find ourselves in a spot of bother again, there’s a very good man to come off the bench and change things around.

3. Is a two tier championship an option?

No team should be taking a 27 point drubbing, particularly one that has made its way to the last eight of the championship. The defeat ushered in more discussion of a revamp of the All-Ireland and calls for a two tier system.

Joe Brolly has been one of the outspoken proponents of the new system, stating that if a second tier competition had ample promotion it would be a success unlike the Tommy Murphy Cup.

I think the jury is out on that. Weaker counties will always want a crack at the big boys, so the option must always remain open.

4. For once we weren’t out numbered in Croke Park

Kildare supporters must have deep down known their fate, but still it was a poor showing by their travelling support considering they only live out the road.

Kerry fans actually outnumbered the opposing team in Croke Park for once. It’s often we win out on the pitch in headquarters, not often in the stands. They might not be the greatest Kerry side of all-time, but they have given us some great displays over the last year.

5. M&M

Our midfield pairing wiped the floor against their opposite opponents, Moolick and Cribbon, who were much talked about in the build up after their performance against Cork a week previous.

David Moran got man-of-the-match, but Maher was not far behind, indeed he handled the ball on more occasions, Maher’s 25 to Moran’s 24. The O’Rahilly’s man caught the eye with high-fielding while more often than not, Maher elected to bat the ball down to his partner. It’s an example of the lovely balance the two strike and they are our most important pairing.

Heaven forbid, losing one of them could put the kibosh on a first back to back since, 06/07.

6. Sending a message

As they began to file in for their match, the boys in blue on the Hill glared down perhaps thinking their regular demolition job of Leinster opposition isn’t that special after all.

Dublin beat Kildare by 19 points but Kerry’s 27 point margin showed the Dubs they aren’t the only team with heavy artillery.

7. Options aplenty  

One of the stand-out aspects of the game on Sunday was the impression substitutes made coming off the bench, Darran O’Sullivan and Barry John Keane scoring a combined total of 3-4 between them in under 35 minutes of football.

With Kerry running riot, Tommy Walsh announced his return to Croke Park with two sky-scraping catches. The jury is out however if he has the legs for the full 70 around the middle, but as a man to bring on and get under high ball he could be ideal, whether it be in midfield, the full-forward or even the full-back line.

8. Ulster opposition awaits 

Kerry will face the winners of Monaghan and Tyrone next in the championship, two sides that have proved hard nuts to crack in the not so distant passed.

A new era of Kerry and Tyrone players have come on the scene since the rivalry in the last decade, but a few old warriors still remain. In that era Kerry also found it difficult to beat Monaghan in two very tight contests in 06/07.

A lot has changed since those days, as Monaghan will be now favourites against Tyrone. Kerry may have avoided the perceived harder side of the draw with Donegal, Mayo and Dublin, but a tough test can be guaranteed as always against a Northern side.

MORE PHOTOS BELOW…