WELL, this was a match that provided ample proof to any observers that needed it, that football in the west is alive and well. Many, particularly those followers of the game in Kerry, who felt that there could only be one outcome to this match will have been surprised with the way that John Maughan's side performed on the day.

Overall, though, this was a contest that also put the present standard of the game in Munster, firmly in perspective.

Full credit to the Mayo team, though, for turning in a performance that brimmed throughout with skill, intelligence and pace while never lacking in fighting spirit.

John Maughan had certainly done his homework on this Kerry team and it has to be said that tactically he outmanoeuvred his opposite number with the approach that he took to the whole match.

The deployment of Colm McMenamon, in particular, in such a deep role as a third midfielder, worked like a dream for the Mayomen. His ball winning ability the way in which he carried and used the ball so cleverly, not to mention his all round work rate was, all things considered, the greatest single advantage that his team enjoyed over their opponents - although it was by no means the only one.

From early on in the contest, David Nestor was giving Charlie McCarthy serious problems, while John Casey also showed that he had the beating of Mike Hassett. In fact, Stephen Stack was the lone Kerry defender who looked capable of coping with what was being thrown at him early on. Subsequently, on more than one occasion it was left to him to mind the fort while those around him struggled.

At the other end of the pitch, Gene Farrell looked like the only Kerry forward who seemed to be capable of getting the better of his man and, at the very least, forcing a few of the frees that Kerry needed if they were to look to Maurice Fitzgerald to keep them in the game.

Whatever frees did come his way, Fitzgerald kicked well, but around him there was little to inspire confidence, with Dara O Cinneide, Liam Hassett, as well as team captain Billy O'Shea, all failing to come to grips with the task that faced them in this contest. The result was that from very early on in the game it was difficult to see where the Kerry scores were going to come from.

To his credit, Dara O Se, backed up by Seamus Moynihan's forward runs, had a fine game, but many of the opportunities created came to nothing due to the inept efforts from those playing inside.

For Mayo, in midfield Liam McHale always looked very composed and on the lookout for the best option in front of him. The problem was that he did not see nearly as much of the ball as his forwards would have liked.

When he did, however, Nestor, in particular, along with Casey were to profit from his clever work in the build up, which was one of the central factors in his side's complete domination of the opening period.

By the time half time arrived Kerry had the two goalkeepers to thank for the slenderness of the Mayo lead. Two brilliant saves by Declan O'Keeffe and one fortuitous kick from Sean Burke which John Madden inexplicably allowed enter his net when he had seemed to have things completely under control, made an enormous difference to the balance of things up to that point.

Just four points behind when the teams came back out for the second half, Kerry must have felt that having weathered the storm, they were still in with a shout of snatching victory. That belief must have been boosted when they managed to start far more brightly in the second period when Mayo, for a while at least, appeared to lose their grip on the midfield area.

Unfortunately, though, the Mayo backline of Kevin Cahill, Ken Mortimer and, most notably, the outstanding James Nallen, prevented Paidi O Se's men from turning the possession they were enjoying during this period into the scores that they needed to turn the game around and, after 10 minutes or so, the opportunity gradually began to slip away.

Another thing that had an impact from a Kerry point of view at that stage was the introduction of Johnny O'Driscoll at half time as the Annascaul player began to limit the influence of Nestor in the Mayo attack. Unfortunately for Kerry, by then Casey was causing Sean Burke serious problems and easily getting past him to score vital points.

If Kerry got a lucky goal in the first half then it was balanced out by the one which fell to James Horan in the second. If the ball fell to, him fortuitously, from one of O'Keeffe's rare slip ups with a kick out - once he gained possession he certainly picked out his spot for the shot with precision.

As for the future, this Mayo team may have surprised many yesterday, but there is a strong backbone of quality players through the centre of the team, from Cahill at full back to Casey at full forward. Even among the less prominent members of the side, there can be no question about the spirit or work rate and they will look forward to the next few weeks with confidence, happy in the knowledge that they are likely to be the underdogs again in the final.

Back in Kerry, meanwhile, there will be a great many questions asked about what exactly it was that went wrong in this performance. Before the game there had been far too strong a feeling that this was only a formality - with the real contest to come in September - and the manner in which the side were beaten yesterday will have brought those optimists back to earth with a thud. They, along with everyone else in the county, will know now just how much ground there is still to be covered on the road back to the very top.