Kerry manager Peter Keane has said "we always felt it was a battle and a battle we got" following their eight-point win over Meath in Navan, and booking their place in an All-Ireland semi-final.
The Kingdom finished up their Super 8s campaign with five out of a possible six points, and sit on top of Group 1. The Royals were containing the 2014 All-Ireland champions and went in at the break level. However, a wondergoal from Sean O'Shea helped Kerry to put some daylight between the two teams. The game ended 2-18 to 1-13.
Speaking after the game, Peter Keane said, "look, we got into it. We pushed on a bit in the second half, and we got some fresh legs into the field too which was a big factor as the game was developing. Look, we're happy. I suppose we came into here today, a lot of people felt it was a dead rubber coming in."
"If you look at it, we had a lot of opportunities and just didn't take them. Sometimes, it takes energy out of you. Takes your confidence away. Credit to the lads they kept at it and they kept shooting, and we got our rewards in the end.
Brian Ó Beaglaoich score a goal and a point, while Sean O'Shea kicked a goal and eight points for the Kingdom in Pairc Tailteann, "he kicked well," said Keane, speaking about O'Shea. "Look, I thought all around the field when the battle came on the boys stood up to it and I'm happy with that.
Dublin take on Tyrone tomorrow in their final game of Group 2, with the winner to progress as winners of the group and face Mayo in an All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday. When asked if he was going to travel to Omagh to watch the game, Peter Keane said, "my god, we would have an awful journey home.
