Few would have forecast the ease with which Kerry won, and perhaps more disappointing for Dublin fans was that their team capitulated very tamely in the end. The obvious turning point was Dara Ó Cinnéide's goal, a moment of good fortune which followed a Colm Cooper shot that struck a post.

It was in complete contrast to the fate suffered by Dublin's Ciarán Whelan when his run and shot thundered back off the crossbar. It would be wrong, though, to suggest that Dublin were simply unlucky.

They dominated in the first half for long periods, were on top at midfield and their backs denied the Kerry forwards more than a handful of scoring opportunities. But they did not capitalise on their domination, and that was largely due to the failure of their full forward line to function. When a team creates that many opportunities, but only manages to take a tiny percentage of them, it has a demoralising effect on the team in general.

While it was deflating for the Dubs, Kerry would have drawn some solace, noting that they had largely been outplayed everywhere except the scoreboard. They have shown in the championship they are a stronger team in the second half, and their relentlessly driving style was once again in evidence.

The Kerry full back line deserve credit for the manner in which they competed tenaciously when under pressure during that period. That this line didn't buckle meant Kerry were able to go in at the interval on level terms.

Dublin overran the ball too much, with too much soloing from the their half backs and midfield. They also displayed a serious inability to kick the ball accurately, both in terms of passing and shooting. That is a fundamental lack of skill and meant that they turned over ball very easily.

Dublin expended so much energy on a hot day in carrying ball forward. That saps strength, and it is very difficult to maintain that tempo for 70 minutes. Dublin couldn't, and there were a lot of tired players in blue long before the final whistle.

There was no point in hoofing high ball into Jason Sherlock and Alan Brogan; that's not the sort of possession on which they thrive. There was a hit-and-hope philosophy in terms of the ball going into the Dublin forwards and it made the Kerry defenders' lot an easier one.

Contrast that with the quality of ball sent into the Kerry forwards, possession kicked accurately and quickly, favouring the intended recipient rather than the defender. They used the space more intelligently and were economic in their style.

Employing the kick-pass allowed them to sustain the pace and intensity in their game for the 70 minutes. I thought Cooper was the game's most influential performer, scoring a couple of points when Kerry were struggling in the first half and creating chances for those around him. It was just as well, as Kerry's full forward line was largely well marshalled.

Darragh Ó Sé got through a huge amount of work defensively in helping his backs. Kerry's substitutions also proved canny, with William Kirby - he kicked two points - and Liam Hassett contributing handsomely.

There is still plenty of work to be done on Kerry's part. They have gone through bad periods in virtually every game and someone will punish them far more effectively than has been the case to date.

Alongside Mayo they will be considered favourites to reach the All-Ireland final, and that's in no way meant as a disservice to Derry's performance in victory over Westmeath. The latter offered a far cry from their Leinster final performance, and on Saturday found that when you go too often to the well, in terms of comebacks, you'll eventually find it dry.

The two Derry goals transformed the match, while Enda Muldoon was a class apart on the day. His contribution was the key factor. Mickey Moran is an astute manager and will focus on Kerry's shortcomings while addressing the issues that arose from his team's performance.

Derry were deserving winners, and while Páidí Ó Sé will be disappointed that Westmeath didn't manage to unearth that huge will to win, he'll be consoled that this is a young team with the ability to contest strongly again next year.