With the provincials done and dusted the All-Ireland series gets under way this afternoon with a host of huge games and Kerry versus Monaghan is the first game on the agenda.
The Kingdom, four-in-a-row Munster champions, are the top seeds in Group Four and, as such, have home advantage for their opening fixture.
Jack O’Connor’s side retained their provincial title with workmanlike victories over Cork and Clare.
Kerry will be looking to time their run to perfection and are strongly-fancied to finish top of the group and progress straight through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
With Louth and Meath also in the group, Kerry will be aware that today’s game is likely to be their toughest test.
Monaghan were beaten by Cavan in the Ulster SFC preliminary round and have lost veteran midfielder Darren Hughes for the remainder of the season with a cruciate knee injury.
However, Rory Beggan is back and available for selection after his recent try-out with NFL outfit Carolina Panthers.
Vinny Corey’s men recovered after losing last year’s Ulster semi-final against Derry to draw with the Oak Leafers in Celtic Park on their next outing and the Farney have a history of upsetting the odds.
We’ll have all the latest build-up and team news ahead of throw-in at Fitzgerald Stadium at 3pm.
KEY EVENT
Full-time: Kerry 0-24 Monaghan 1-11
Stephen O'Hanlon kicks the final point of the game as Kerry's winning margin finishes at 10 points. The Kingdom failed to find the net for the third Championship game in succession, but they were never in danger against a below-par Farney side
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-24 Monaghan 1-10
Ryan O'Toole clips over a good score from Monaghan after Joe O'Connor fists a high ball clear
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-24 Monaghan 1-9
Sean O'Shea converts another free for Kerry in stoppage-time
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-23 Monaghan 1-9
Jason Foley is fouled by Andrew Woods and Sean O'Shea converts in the closing moments of the game
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-22 Monaghan 1-9
Sean O'Shea fires over his first point from play after Conor McCarthy gives possession away. Micheal Bannigan replies with a good point at the other end
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-21 Monaghan 1-8
Micheal Bannigan is fouled by Gavin White and Conor McManus converts for his first point
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-21 Monaghan 1-7
Joel Wilson take a great mark and converts from the edge of the D
KEY EVENT
Goal! Kerry 0-21 Monaghan 1-6
Gary Mohan fires home from close range after Shane Ryan taps down Conor McCarthy's shot
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-21 Monaghan 0-6
Rory Beggan gestures to his colleagues as Paul Geaney clips over his fifth point from play after 56 minutes
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-20 Monaghan 0-6
As Monaghan lose Karl O'Connell and Dessie Ward to injury, Kerry kicks their 20th point via the in-form Paul Geaney
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-19 Monaghan 0-6
Conor McCarthy is fouled by Paudie Clifford and Rory Beggan converts for his first point of the game
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-19 Monaghan 0-5
Dessie Ward kicks a fine point from play for Monaghan
KEY EVENT
Save!
David Clifford sets up Paudie for a goal chance, but Rory Beggan makes another excellent save!
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-19 Monaghan 0-4
Gavin White sets up Tom O'Sullivan for another classy point from play - that's three from play for the Kerry corner-back
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-18 Monaghan 0-4
Paul Geaney gets inside Killian Lavelle and fists over the bar for his third point from play - Kerry lead by 14 points with 45 minutes played
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-17 Monaghan 0-4
Rory Beggan makes a good save from Joe O'Connor and Kerry recycle and Paul Geaney fires over
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-16 Monaghan 0-4
Conor McCarthy kicks a stunning point from play. That's much better from Monaghan
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-16 Monaghan 0-3
Andrew Woods kicks a mark as Monaghan get just their third point of the game after 39 minutes
KEY EVENT
Goal chance!
Andrew Woods misses a glorious goal chance in the early stages of the second half! He had the goal at his mercy, but palms wide at the back post!
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-16 Monaghan 0-2
David Clifford taps over a score on the restart for Kerry
KEY EVENT
We're back under way
The second half is under way. Monaghan have made two changes at the break with Andrew Woods and Dessie Ward are in for in for Michael McCarville and Sean Jones
Paddy Tierney
First half scorers
Kerry: David Clifford 0-4 (0-3fs), Tom O'Sullivan 0-2, Paul Murphy 0-2, Paudie Clifford 0-2, Tony Brosnan 0-2, Sean O'Shea 0-1 (0-1f), Paul Geaney 0-1, Dara Moynihan 0-1.
Monaghan: Gary Mohan 0-1 (0-1m), Micheal Bannigan 0-1.
KEY EVENT
Half-time: Kerry 0-15 Monaghan 0-2
Half-time couldn't come quick enough for Monaghan! They've been totally outplayed by Kerry as the hosts lead by 13 points at the break
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-15 Monaghan 0-2
Dara Moynihan kicks a classy point as Kerry's starting six forwards have now scored
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-14 Monaghan 0-2
David Clifford side-steps the attempted tackle and kicks his first point from play, his fourth in total
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-13 Monaghan 0-2
Kerry are making this look easy as Tony Brosnan lands his second point from play. The Kingdom lead by 11 after 32 minutes
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-12 Monaghan 0-2
Another Monaghan turnover is punished as Paul Murphy lands his second point
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-11 Monaghan 0-2
After Conor McManus misses two chances for Monaghan, Paudie Clifford kicks his second point for Kerry
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-10 Monaghan 0-2
Lavelle fouls David Clifford after Monaghan lose the restart. Clifford converts the kick from the D for his third score of the game
Paddy Tierney
Kerry 0-9 Monaghan 0-2
Killian Lavelle is called for playing the ball off the ground, but that came from a crazy pass from Micheal Bannigan. Kerry take full advantage with Sean O'Shea converting the free as the hosts take a seven-pont lead after 24 minutes in Killarney
