Kerry 0-18
Tyrone 1-11
– Niall Kelly reports from Croke Park
KERRY SURVIVED AN almighty test from Tyrone to book their place in the All-Ireland football final.
Peter Harte’s penalty with 10 minutes to play to set up a grandstand finish in an enthralling encounter.
But the champions finished with the last four scores to ensure that they will defend their crown against either Dublin or Mayo on 20 September.
Referee Maurice Deegan was to the fore in game which saw disputed penalty calls as well as black cards controversy with both full-backs, Marc O Sé and Ronan McNamee, shown the line.
There was little to choose between the sides after an absorbing first half that produced 15 scores in slippery conditions.
The rain that sheeted down on Jones’ Road did Kerry’s kicking game no favours and before Kieran Donaghy pointed to give them an 0-8 to 0-7 lead in the third additional minute of the first half, their full-forward line had been held scoreless from play.
There was nothing particularly subtle or surprising about Tyrone’s approach. They formed a barricade that forced Kerry to take the long way round and pressed with intensity. Too many times, Kerry tried to take an extra second on the ball and were hassled into turnovers.
Both sides were happy too to allow the other cheap possession through short uncontested kick-outs. When Kerry pushed up in the second half and forced Niall Morgan to kick long, it paid handsome dividends.
Donaghy’s struggles in that first half mirrored Kerry’s overall play. Justin McMahon reprised the disruptive role he used to such good effect against Michael Murphy earlier in the championship with similar results. Donaghy won very little clean ball and on the rare occasion when gave his guard the slip, there were other white jerseys on hand to crowd him out.
His point was the last action of a frustrating afternoon as he was replaced by Paul Geaney. The Dingle man injected new life into a full-forward line that had managed just one point from play in that first half. He scored three points in a close-fought second half while Colm Cooper and James O’Donoghue each added two more.
Tyrone will rue the two great goal chances that went a-begging early in that second half. Mark Bradley was denied by fine save from Brendan Kealy who shot out his right arm to make the stop.
A few moments later, Tiernan McCann fizzed a snapshot from 13 yards just wide of the post.
Had either of those gone in, or had Connor McAliskey showed a bit more composure when he blazed over for a point in the 26th minute, the contest’s fine margins might have tilted in Tyrone’s favour.
Three missed frees in the second half — two of which came from goalkeeper Morgan — did not help their cause either.
They will have reason to feel aggrieved by the black card for McNamee, which looked to be more of a yellow card offence.
And the sense of injustice was doubled a few minutes later when Shane Enright escaped with yellow for a more obvious pull-down on Harte.
They still trailed by four when substitute Barry Tierney was dragged down in front of the Kerry goal. Harte coolly dispatched his penalty in front of the Davin Stand before Bradley swung over a fine leveller.
Anthony Maher found himself in space to edge Kerry back into the lead before Deegan found himself at the centre of controversy once more.
He ruled that McNulty had dived following a tussle with Aidan O’Mahony and booked the Tyrone forward and awarded a free out.
It was to be their last real chance. Geaney swung over a fine score and then added another free when Ronan McNabb thundered through Cooper after the ball had been played, before Barry John Keane added the finishing touches in additional time.
Scorers for Kerry: James O’Donoghue (2f, 1 45) 0-4, Johnny Buckley, Paul Geaney (1f) 0-3 each, Stephen O’Brien, Colm Cooper (1f) 0-2 each, Kieran Donaghy, Donnchadh Walsh, Anthony Maher, Barry John Keane 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tyrone: Peter Harte (pen) 1-0, Darren McCurry 0-3 (1f), Connor McAliskey, Mark Bradley 0-2 each, Ronan McNabb, Niall Morgan (1f), Mattie Donnelly, Colm Cavanagh 0-1 each.
Kerry
1. Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin)
2. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
3. Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht)
4. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
5. Jonathan Lyne (Killarney Legion)
6. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers)
7. Killian Young (Renard)
8. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
9. Anthony Maher (Duagh)
10. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)
11. Johnny Buckley (Dr Crokes)
12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane)
13. Colm Cooper (Dr Crokes)
14. Kieran Donaghy (capt, Austin Stacks)
15. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Legion)
Substitutes:
22. Fionn Fitzgerald for O Se (bc, 16)
19. Paul Geaney for Donaghy (HT)
18. Bryan Sheehan for Moran (55)
21. Darran O’Sullivan for O’Brien (60)
17. Aidan O’Mahony for Crowley (62)
20. Barry John Keane for Walsh (64)
Tyrone
1. Niall Morgan (Edendork)
2. Aidan McCrory (Errigal Ciarán)
3. Ronan McNamee (Aghyaran)
4.Cathal McCarron (Dromore)
5. Ronan McNabb (Dromore)
6. Justin McMahon (Omagh)
7. Peter Harte (Errigal Ciarán)
8. Colm Cavanagh (Moy)
9. Mattie Donnelly (Trillick)
10. Tiernan McCann (Killyclogher)
11. Mark Bradley (Killyclogher)
12. Conor Meyler (Omagh)
13. Darren McCurry (Edendork)
14. Sean Cavanagh (capt, Moy)
15. Connor McAliskey (Clonoe)
Substitutes:
24. Padraig McNulty for Meyler (inj, 47)
19. Conor Clarke for McNamee (bc, 55)
26. Barry Tierney for McCrory (55)
25. Ronan O’Neill for McCurry (65)
Took about 5 minutes before someone on the Sunday Game panel actually said Kerry deserved to win because they played better football.This is embarrassing “analysis”.
Exactly, they seem to be glossing over the fact that Kerry scored 18 points against such a mass defence.
did youse people watch the game? kerry with 13 behind the ball most of the time Tyrone attacked but tyrone getting grief?? also a few very questionable decisions by ref… not a happy.man but im guessing horrible play only comes from us :-/
Kerry only played with 13 behind the ball because they had to as that’s the way Tyrone play..u won’t see them playing 13 behind the ball against Mayo/Dublin
Sssshhhh Michael. Sure only ulster teams play defensive.
So you expect kerry forwards to not bother tracking their markers breaking forward leaving 8 plus Tyrone players to Kerry’s 6 defenders? That is why Kerry and predominantly attacking teams result in having 13 men behind the ball. Actually go to a match and see the different styles of defending instead of spouting nonsense
aye sound were the death of all things gaa only.us defend 13 behind the ball and if anyone else does it its cause we made them… sound
Michael talking Bullocks again, go to the game, look at Kerry backs, see the time they have to pass slip, get back up, pass……………….. and come back here
I could be wrong, but I think Joe Brolly might have been to the Referees Workshop.
Bar one horrible tackle on Gooch game was played in good hard sporting spirit, well done both teams for a great game of football
Very enjoyable game, Tyrone impressed and look like re-emerging as serious contenders soon. Kerry in fairness rode their luck at times and were fortunate not to concede another penalty in the 65th minute but still they did enough to win. Roll on next Sunday.
Tyrone gave their all to be fair but Kerry had too much class, especially with the quality of players on the bench.
Rubbish – the ref was wearing a Kerry jersey in the 2nd half. Kerry’s big players Moran, Donaghy (both taken off) and Donoghue were poor while Cooper’s form was patchy. If Tyrone had taken any of their 3 goal opportunities they would have been victorious.
But they didnt and Kerry won…
That’s a very big if. They were well beaten by a better team. Football beats the puke game again thank goodness
There’s was nothing puke about Tyrone’s game today Lou. Be fair.
In fairness Kerry deserve to win, but Kerry had just as many men behind the ball if not more at some stages…. So ya can’t say puke football was beaten.
Lou – the scores were level with 7 mins left and on 65 minutes Tyrone should have been awarded a penalty. Even Donoghue said post match on the radio that Tyrone gave them a huge fright without resorting to ‘puke’ football – ur comment doesn’t stand up to rational scrutiny
When a ref is faced with a 50/50 decision it will always go against the team with the poor reputations. No doubt that Tyrone have fine footballers who shouldn’t need to reduce themselves to questionable tactics but alas they have done just that time and time again and it will always work against them.
Great to see the back of nordie puke football hopefully we will get 2 decent games from teams that want to win all Ireland’s not oscars
in fairness both teams played a blanket defence today
Lou – what 50/50 decision are u referring to ? Not the penalty decision that went against Tyrone I hope. That was a clearcut penalty !! Specsavers for u tomorrow methinks
True, it prob was but if the ref is in any doubt whatsoever then he will side with the team with the better reputation.
There’s a difference between a blanket defence and cynical style play and fouling though.
People giving out about the ref favoring Kerry clearly missed the deliberate shoulder full force into colm coopers head.
Why wasn’t that a red?
Exactly ! Cos the ref licked Kerry bum
Tyrone at their diving and play-acting again..
with 5 minutes to go I thought we were heading for a replay in limerick !!!
Good one
Proud to be a Tyrone man after their performance today. Showed spirit and determination. Characteristics we should be proud off. Definitely a team to watch next year. Some exciting talent emerging. Good luck to Kerry in the final.
Poor Tyrone kick outs cost them the game. Kerry showed class in the last few minutes. Lots of inconsistencies from the ref!
and when they did kick out long I thought they did well. definitely cost then 2-3 points. Tyrone not that far off the big 3 in my opinion. have to agree with Brolly about Tyrone not taking their goal chances. if you are going to beat Kerry in an AI Simi Final you cannot give up 2 big goal chances like that.
Does Joe Brolly still think Tyrone have Kerry where they want them?
People that Tyrone will possibly blame…..the “southern media”, Maurice Deegan, Elvis, Batman, Gandhi, Bertie Aherne, Thor, Marty Whelan, the Rose of Tralee, Lassie, Jaws and maybe the Illuminati. People they ought to look at as to why they lost this game all wore jerseys with the Red Hand on them. But that doesn’t make for a good siege mentality.
They’re right though,if Maurice Deegan had taken one of his three goal scoring chances Tyrone would have won!
As someone who is from Kilkenny ( and as we all know we don’t play football!!) I’m glad Kerry won. The disrespect that some of the Tyrone players and management and other teams have shown the fans of the sport in the last few weeks is awful. They should have apologised to the fans who paid money to see that match and the Tyrone management should have come out and condoned that type of behaviour. Children watched them play and act like that. They are the future Gaa players. You expect that behaviour in soccer players or toddlers! I’m so glad that in hurling we don’t have that behaviour.
have a word woth yourself.. should tyrone people be expecting an apology after the 3 black card offences by kerry today.. give over
Tyrone threw away at least 3 points, few questionable calls from the ref! Seemed he was meaning towards Kerry. Another predictable final…
How is it another predictable final when next weeks semi between Mayo and Dublin is impossible to predict?
The ref next will be lean towards Dublin for a big money final
No he won’t. Paranoid much?
Are Mayo getting in their excuses in early this year? Wow, that must be some kind of record
Where does this extra money come from if we (Dublin) get to the final???
Nobody biting ? .. I hooked 4 beauties.
Least the “duckin n diving” team didn’t win this time, well done Kerry.
RTE’s Ger Canning was very biased in favour of Tyrone especially in the first half commentary.
Ciarraí Abu.
Because that had a big impact on the game…
According to Joe the save by Kealy was an easy save… straight at him, after O’Rourke saying it was a good save. That lad just can’t do unbiased analysis.
The GAA right now.. ” nearly there lads.. just need to push the Dubs through and €€€€€€€€”
Said as if a Kerry-Mayo All Ireland wouldn’t also be a sell out.
IrishOwl would you cop yourself on. The final will be sold out irrespective of who wins next week or indeed whether it was Kerry or Tyrone who won today! When was the last time a senior All Ireland final wasn’t sold out?
How would the GAA make more money if Dublin were in the final and not Mayo?
What a ridiculous comment Irishowl, the GAA doesn’t need Dublin in the final for the cash, it will easily sell out its Mayo although as a Dub hopefully it’s not.
Cop yourself on ?? ha… what are ya my grandad ? agree or not, opinions are like a**holes…. everyone has one.
Absolutely thrilled to see the anti-footballers and their cynicism get beaten. Well done Kerry.
Great game but brutal second half by Maurice Deegan all big calls to kerry as he has done before in kerry games eventually got kerry over the line.
Yeah yeah yeah same old story…my god it’s boring reading comments on here after a Kerry win.
Niall Morgan gave away two points and missed 2/3frees. He’s a real confidence player, if he has two or three bad kick outs u can see his game/confidence drain. When on form he can be class but has abit to go to match cluxton, best keeper in Ireland for me.
so deegan didn’t get the big decisions wrong in the 2nd half? give over…
Oh you mean when gooch was levelled but the Tyrone defender avoided a definite red card?? If you’re questioning refereeing decisions you have to look at both sides.
so the 3 black cards that kerry should’ve had amd the definite penalty.. glad we’re of agreement here :-)
^^ The usual nonsense from Tyrone fans, I’m really fecking glad we dumped ye out of it today
tyrone whinging is one of lives great joys :D
Tyrone had 3 goal chances. They may have won if they had taken one of them but on balance I think Kerry deserved it. I think Dublin will win next week. It may be predictable as some have said but they are the two best teams in the country.
hard luck tyrone. Quite hard done by there and missed 4 goal chances. Kerry didn’t have any goal chances. Again unfortunately a good game has been decided by an incorrect decision…
a voice of reason… jeebus… you’ll be ostracised on here fella
I’m used to it michael!
the usuals will be on here telling you we’re the devil and anything kerry did today was fine and its karma we lost..
Well done Kerry.Two great wins minor and senior.Tyrone worthy opponents.Brought out the best in Kerry to beat them.
What does Shane Enright have to do to get sent off in an All-Ireland semi final? Last year he should have been giving the line in the replay against Mayo and today he rugby tackled Peter Harte and got away with a yellow.
Really good game in testing conditions.Kerry were worthy winners but this young Tyrone have come on leaps and bounds this yea, they just seemed to let the game get away from them a bit early in the second half.
Still can’t see past the Dubs for Sam though.
As a complete neutral I thought the ref was shocking. Football has so much more potential then the GAA are allowing it, way too many silly frees week in week out.
Tyrone poor team. Nothing to offer. Kerry actually rested their big players for the final as this game was over after 20 minutes. Donahue and Moran for example. Give the rest a wee run out before final. Kerry never in any trouble today and could have won pulling up had they wanted. Probably leave Tyrone about 7th in ulster rankings.
sound… keep fishing!
7th in the ulster rankings? Good to know you rank us above Antrim and Cavan.
Nothing like old rivals Kerry /Dublin in Croke park
True but I think the Kerry/Tyrone one was very much there today.
The second penality was more of a penality, first one the player fell into the goalie, so it balance it self out…
Eamon Sweeney of Sindo said aftet last year Kerry/ mayo semi that refs cost matches . Same 2day. Outrageous and unacceptable
referee played with kerry for 2nd semi final in a row.
That was a championship winning performance, much better team than last year #CiarraiAbu
Ref was a twit , big” I’ll lick your bum cheeks Kerry” stamp on his head
All said and done , UK are out ⛄️again , joking of course
03 revenge is sweet. 12 years later and the the game has evolved with their horrid defensive tactics. This Kerry team is a different animal well able to put these ‘counter attack’ teams to bed.
yeah cause keery didn’t have 13 behind the ball when we attacked. and didnt pull fown when we broke away.. come on… you have eyes yes?
They outplayed Tyrone at their own game. Did you not see that Kerry could have spent all afternoon passing the ball across the backline? Yawnnn
Niall kelly are you blind both teams played blanket defence stop with the purest football shit this game was played to both coaches containing each other possession what game were you watching?
Freedom of Kerry for Maurice deegan. He is in love with Kerry.Same in Semi last year and now this.the media and gaa would literally buy a Kerry dublin final..
Kerry have ticked off Tyrone, Donegal, Cork, Mayo and hopefully Mayo inside two years.
Dublin*
Shocking attendance for a Semi Final. GAA must be thankful for Dublin’s participation in the Championship.
men against boys