By Cian O'Connell

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor felt Paddy Small's 42nd minute goal was the key moment in the All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park.

Following the concession of the major Kerry scored three points to edge 1-11 to 1-8 again, but Dublin responded.

Seven of the last nine points were struck by Dublin, but the goal was vital according to O'Connor.

"It is never easy lose an All-Ireland final," O'Connor reflected. "It is a tough one because I thought there were stages of that game in the second half when we looked like we were, I won't say in control, but that we were playing within ourselves.

"I just thought the goal was a huge turning point. It gave massive energy to Dublin playing into the Hill. And while our boys reacted really well to the goal, I felt that the effort it took to come back from the goal and go back up three, that that possibly took it our of our fellas in the last five, 10 minutes.

"Once Dublin smelled it, they have the extra bit of experience and know-how that has seen them get over the line in tight games before. This one was no different."

Dublin delivered in style in the closing stages. "I just think that the effort it took for us to come back, the goal just gave Dublin energy," O'Connor added.

"The last thing you want to give Dublin playing into the Hill is a goal because it just gives them huge energy. It’s like a bolt of electricity goes through the whole ground.

"And even though we reacted tremendously to it, it just gave them a sniff that they were back in the game, because I think up to the goal, I thought we were well on course to win the game.

"It’s just one of those things, slippy ball, tough conditions, these things happen."

O'Connor also felt that Kerry weren't clinical enough converting opportunities. "I don’t think it was we didn’t have chances I don’t know what the wide count was today off the top of my head I thought we created chances," O'Connor commented.

"I can remember several chances we had, we missed a situation where we had a fisted point for the taking, missed a couple coming in from angles that could have gone over so I thought we were still creating chances, I thought it was a very even game.

"Maybe they were a bit more clinical in front of goal than we were but very hard to fault our fellas."