From a Kerry point of view yesterday's victory was far too close for comfort. They'll be very relieved to have come through, but what a lesson for them as well - knowing full well now they'll need to improve considerably if they are to beat Dublin in a fortnight's time. Monaghan, naturally, will be devastated. What an opportunity lost. The only consolation for them is that results like this can be a great character builder, and I've no doubt they'll come back an even stronger team next year.

In the end it was only Kerry's sheer class that got them through. That, and of course their experience, and composure, under what was huge pressure. The likes of Darragh Ó Sé held up so well again, plus Tomás Ó Sé, and especially Marc Ó Sé, who kept an otherwise very fragile Kerry full-back line together.

Marc Ó Sé also made that wonderful interception near the end. Their fate would have been sealed had he not been so perceptive.

For Pat O'Shea and the Kerry management it was just the game they wanted, and in many ways they'll be pleased to have been stretched the way they were - in every aspect of the game. That game will bring Kerry on hugely, and I think it is ominous that Kerry have come through without playing well, because they know themselves now that they'll have to improve. And I definitely think they will.

The old problem of the six-week lay-off did prove a disadvantage, and Monaghan certainly showed that you can't beat competitive matches, and the intensity of the real battle of a championship match. No amount of challenge matches can beat that, and particularly if those matches are only within your own camp.

On the plus side, the Kerry substitutes worked very well, but then they are quality players like Bryan Sheehan, Seán O'Sullivan and Darren O'Sullivan. They're all impact subs, and every one of them improved what was there.

I was very impressed with the way Monaghan set out their stall. They didn't allow to Kerry to settle into a rhythm, to dwell on the ball at any stage, and Monaghan's pressure game was excellent. Monaghan stuck to that game plan, and it disrupted Kerry all over the field.

What cost them in the end was their lack of clinical finishing in front of goal. They just couldn't put away some great chances, and against a team like Kerry you won't get away with that. Their free-taking wasn't up to the standard required as well.

There was no doubt Kerry had more cool heads. Unless Monaghan went four or five points up with minutes remaining I always felt Kerry would draw them back. Just the way they held possession at the critical climax was so important, and Kerry are masters of doing what's required in situations like that - keeping it simple, working the ball cleverly into position, and then getting it to a man that can score.

Monaghan were found a little lacking in that situation. They gave the ball away too easy, gave away from clumsy free-kicks. But they were so committed, their effort was great to see.

If anything Monaghan should have managed a draw. But you still have to credit Kerry. They're not the finished article yet, and it was quite clear yesterday just how much they are missing the steadying influence of Séamus Moynihan and Mike McCarthy.

However, I was more impressed by the Dublin performance on Saturday, especially their overall play. They simply wore down a very formidable Derry team, who still tested the Dublin defence. Early on, Dublin couldn't do a whole lot about the clever score-taking of Derry forwards Paddy Bradley, Paul Murphy and Colin Devlin. Dublin can't allow that against Kerry.

Enda Muldoon also produced some clever play, and once again a question mark was raised over Ross McConnell. His recovery pace, and ability to turn quickly and chase his man, wasn't good, and left Dublin in trouble on too many occasions. He's definitely not a tight man-marker the way Paul Griffin is.

What I liked about Dublin is the maturity they showed. Even when they were behind there was no panic whatsoever, and instead every time they attacked I felt their forward line was a threat. They are improving, have a better understanding of each other. There's good off-the-ball running, working for the other, and Bernard Brogan epitomises that with his continued improvement.

So it never looked like a game Dublin were going to lose. Their fitness was superior as well, and the Derry backs were unable to front their men, constantly marking from behind. As a result the Dublin forwards could draw fouls easily, which are now as good as a score for Mark Vaughan, who is in phenomenal form at the moment.

One concern I would have is the massive demand being put on Ciarán Whelan, who effectively was contesting every kick out, with Seán Ryan playing most of his game on the wing. Darren Magee should have been introduced earlier to give Whelan more assistance, because the most important job of a midfielder is to win primary possession.

So all things considered I was more impressed by Dublin but Kerry have more room for improvement, which sets things up for a fascinating semi-final in two weeks' time.