Tony and Tom point the way in facile 20-point win Adam Moynihan reports from Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney

Last weekend Kerry strolled to a comprehensive 20-point win over Tipperary in yet another procession that further calls into question the future of the provincial championships.

Delegates turned down the opportunity to radically alter the structure of the football championship at Congress in 2021, opting instead for a watered-down version of the ‘league plus championship’ format that retains the direct link between the provinces and the All-Ireland series. Some (this writer included) would like to see that link severed. If the Munster Championship does eventually get shifted to a less important time of year, few who were in attendance at a gloomy Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday last will shed a tear.

The visitors, who will be a Division 4 team in 2024, did their best to frustrate the All-Ireland champions by clogging up their defence and slowing the pace of the game but it was merely an exercise in damage limitation.

The hosts were patient and picked off their scores, with devil-may-care corner back Tom O’Sullivan and livewire forward Tony Brosnan particularly impressive in front of the posts.

Brosnan did miss a penalty in the first half (Kerry’s awful record from the spot wors- ens) but he more than made amends by stroking over five points from play.

O’Sullivan added 0-3 including two trademark outside-of-the-boot points that brought smiles to Kerry faces.

Footballer of the Year David Clifford (0-2, both frees) was peripheral but – much like the match itself - it mattered little.

Kerry march on to the Munster final where a trickier tie against Clare awaits.

KERRY: S Ryan; G O’Sullivan, J Foley (01), T O’Sullivan (0-3); P Murphy, T Morley, G White; D O’Connor (0-1), J Barry; D Moynihan (0-1), S O’Shea (0-7, 3f, 1m), P Clifford (0-1); T Brosnan (0-5), D Clifford

(0-2f), P Geaney (0-2m).

Subs: B Ó Beaglaoich for Murphy, BD O’Sullivan for Barry, K Spillane (0-1) for Geaney, S O’Brien for P Clifford, R Murphy (0-1) for Moynihan.

TIPPERARY: M O’Reilly; S O’Connell, J Feehan, W Eviston; K Fahey (0-1), C Kennedy, C O’Shaughnessy (0-1); M Russell, J Kennedy (0-2, 1f, 1 45); E Moloney, T Doyle, K Ryan; S O’Brien, S Quirke (0-1), C Deely.

Subs: L Boland for Moloney (temp), L Boland for Fahey, M O’Shea for Doyle, M Kehoe for Eviston, D Leahy for O’Brien, C Kennedy for Quirke.