Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to The42‘s live coverage of the first of this year’s All-Ireland football semi-finals.
It’s been raining relentlessly in Dublin all morning but the weather will do little to dampen the atmosphere at HQ as Kerry, the defending champions, face Mickey Harte’s Tyrone in another eagerly anticipated clash.
Throw-in is at 3.30pm.
Here’s a look at how the last five championship fixtures between these two great rivals have played out:
- 2012: Kerry 1-16 Tyrone 1-6
- 2008: Tyrone 1-15 Kerry 0-14
- 2005: Tyrone 1-16 Kerry 2-10
- 2003: Tyrone 0-13 Kerry 0-6
- 1986: Kerry 2-15 Tyrone 1-10
Which way do you see it going today? As always we love to hear from you throughout the afternoon and there are several ways you can voice your opinion.
Comment below, join us on Facebook or tweet us @The42_ie.
Right, let’s have a closer look at the respective line-ups for the game.
The big news is that Kieran Donaghy returns to the Kerry side and slots in at full-forward for the Kingdom. The Austin Stack’s man missed the thumping win over Kildare due to injury but has recovered in time for today’s showdown.
In all, Eamonn Fitzmaurice has made two changes. Peter Crowley comes in for Aidan O’Mahony with Marc O’Se moving to full-back. Johnny Buckley returns to the half-forward line and replaces Bryan Sheehan.
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 (Austin Stacks)
15. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Legion)
After his proposed eight-week ban was quashed earlier in the week, Tiernan McCann starts for Tyrone with Mickey Harte making just one change to his starting XV from the quarter-final win over Monaghan.
Having been replaced after just 8 minutes of that last outing, Joe McMahon misses out and is replaced by his brother Justin at centre-back.
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 (Captain – Moy)
15. Connor McAliskey (Clonoe)
Crowd building at Croke Park as throw-in approaches. To whet the appetite, why don’t you browse our pre-match offerings, including a look at where today’s game might be won and lost.
- 5 talking points ahead of Kerry and Tyrone’s semi-final showdown
- ‘I was probably at my lowest then with injuries. I just thought is this ever going to happen?’
- From lifting Sam to a ruptured Achilles, 16 weeks out of work and cheering on Kerry
- ‘Smile and don’t react’ – Kerry legend gives advice if Tyrone engage in sledging
A little bit earlier, Kerry’s minors moved one step closer to back-to-back All-Ireland titles by edging past Derry. Niall Kelly was at Croke Park and here’s his match report.
The teams are out on the field and are performing all the pre-match formalities as the rain continues to pour down. Here’s Amhrán na bhFiann.
Maurice Deegan is our referee and it will be Tyrone to attack the Hill in this first period. By the looks of things, the weather has got worse – if that was even possible – since the teams have been out on the pitch.
Right, here we go. Strap yourselves in folks…
And we’re off. Will it be Kerry or Tyrone back here next month?
2 mins – Kerry 0-0 Tyrone 0-1
Darren McCurry opens the scoring as he slots over a free. Cracking atmosphere at Croke Park.
3 mins – Kerry 0-0 Tyrone 0-2
Nervy start for the Kingdom as Tyrone flow forward once again. The Red Hand are playing direct football and it’s paying instant dividends. McCurry doubles his tally with a lovely score.
4 mins – Kerry 0-2 Tyrone 0-2
And all of a sudden we’re level. Johnny Buckley gets his side up and running with a fine finish and then repeats the trick moments later.
5 mins – Kerry 0-2 Tyrone 0-3
As you would expect for an All-Ireland semi-final, it’s been a frenetic start. Tyrone are back in-front after a storming run by Ronan McNabb.
8 mins – Kerry 0-2 Tyrone 0-3
Kerry are enjoying plenty of possession but aren’t really making any progress. James O’Donoghue is playing deep but so far Tyrone have been able to keep the Kingdom’s potent forward line relatively quiet.
10 mins – Kerry 0-3 Tyrone 0-3
We’re level again as Kerry reap the rewards of a patient build-up. Moran is fouled and O’Donoghue finds Buckley with a quick free.
12 mins – Kerry 0-4 Tyrone 0-3
Kerry lead for the first time as Stephen O’Brien finishes emphatically after Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s men pushed up and forced the error from Tyrone.
13 mins – Kerry 0-5 Tyrone 0-3
After a slow start, Kerry have clicked into gear. Tyrone are finding it difficult to get out of their own half and McNabb concedes the free and dissent sees the referee move the ball forward. O’Donoghue converts with a sweetly struck free.
15 mins – Kerry 0-5 Tyrone 0-4
Marc O’Se is shown a black card by Maurice Deegan and that could be a very big moment in this semi-final. O’Se hauled down McAlliskey on the left touchline and the referee really didn’t have any choice.
Niall Morgan curls over the free from range and just a point separates the teams.
18 mins – Kerry 0-5 Tyrone 0-4
Fionn Fitzgerald is on in O’Se’s place as the game continues at a great pace.
19 mins – Kerry 0-5 Tyrone 0-4
Kerry register their first wide as Walsh is unable to round off a fine team move.
23 mins – Kerry 0-6 Tyrone 0-4
On a day like this, it’s difficult to execute even the most basic of skills but Stephen O’Brien nails a long range effort to extend Kerry’s lead. He even appeared to lose his footing as he made contact but that one arrowed between the posts.
25 mins – Kerry 0-6 Tyrone 0-4
Barely time to catch your breath as we go to Hawkeye but McCrory’s effort is wide. That’s two misses from the Tyrone man.
26 mins – Kerry 0-6 Tyrone 0-5
Chance! McAliskey is through on goal after Lyne gave the ball away in a dangerous position but Tyrone have to settle for a point when it should have been a goal with McCurry in acres of space inside him.
28 mins – Kerry 0-7 Tyrone 0-5
Kerry’s lead is two again but Tyrone aren’t happy with the official’s decision. O’Donoghue makes no mistake from the 45 but replays show it really shouldn’t have been awarded to the Kingdom.
Boos from the Tyrone supporters ring around HQ.
32 mins – Kerry 0-7 Tyrone 0-5
Missed opportunity for Tyrone after Fitzgerald fouled McCurry. The Tyrone man picked himself up but sent his free wide of the upright.
33 mins – Kerry 0-7 Tyrone 0-6
Fine score from Mark Bradley has he skips back onto his left foot and curls one over to reduce the deficit. Just a couple of minutes remaining in this first period.
Here’s a closer look at that Marc Ó Sé black card:
36 mins – Kerry 0-7 Tyrone 0-7
We’re level! Mattie Donnelly with a sublime score to restore parity right on the stroke of the interval.
Half-time – Kerry 0-8 Tyrone 0-7
And Donaghy replies with a point of his own immediately to give Kerry the narrowest of leads at half-time.
53,044 supporters have braved the elements as the rain continues to teem down in Dublin. It’s been hammering down all day here and shows no sign of improving before the end of this game.
We’re just about all set for the second-half. Here we go then, who will book their place in the All-Ireland final?
Big news from the touchline with Kerry captain Donaghy withdrawn and Paul Geaney his replacement.
Kerry 0-8 Tyrone 0-7
Rare miss from O’Donoghue as he sends a free right of the upright in-front of Hill 16.
Kerry 0-8 Tyrone 0-8
Great score McAliskey to bring Tyrone level as the floodlights begin to take full effect.
Kerry 0-10 Tyrone 0-8
Two poor kick-outs by Niall Morgan and Colm Cooper takes full advantage with consecutive points.
Kerry 0-11 Tyrone 0-8
Geaney has found his radar as he showed his strength to fend off two defenders and fist it over the bar. That’s three points on the bounce for the Kingdom.
Kerry 0-11 Tyrone 0-9
Tyrone register their first point of the half as McCurry brings them within two again.
Kerry 0-11 Tyrone 0-9
Mickey Harte’s men have showed great character to hit back after a slow start to this half. Sean Cavanagh does brilliantly to spin away from a couple of green and gold shirts to tee-up Bradley but Keally produced a smart stop.
Kerry 0-11 Tyrone 0-9
Cavanagh’s influence is growing but he’s unable to bring Tyrone within a score as his effort from the left touchline sails wide.
Kerry 0-12 Tyrone 0-9
Donnchadh Walsh comes to the party with his first score of the day and gives Kerry a bit more breathing space.
Kerry 0-13 Tyrone 0-9
Fifth point of the half for the Kingdom as O’Donoghue fires over another free, from 40 metres out.
Moments later, another woeful kick from Morgan hands Kerry possession and when it eventually falls to O’Donoghue, he snatches at it and his effort goes wide.
Just twenty minutes remaining at Croke Park and Mickey Harte is cutting a frustrated and worried figure on the touchline.
Kerry 0-13 Tyrone 0-9
It’s now 13 minutes since Tyrone scored and Tiarnan McCann spurns another goal chance by dragging his shot wide.
Kerry 0-14 Tyrone 0-10
The sides exchange scores but we’ve had the second black card of the day after McNamee drags Colm Cooper down with the Kerry forward bearing down on goal.
O’Donoghue converts but Tyrone got straight down the other end and score through Colm Cavanagh.
Shane Enright is a lucky boy. He hauls down Peter Harte but the referee shows him a yellow when it ought to have been a black card.
Kerry 0-14 Tyrone 1-10
GOAL! Peter Harte keeps his nerve and sends Kealy the wrong way to bring Tyrone within a point. The decibel levels inside Croke Park have just increased a few notches.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice looks concerned on the touchline. Barry Tierney was the man to win that penalty after Kerry had given possession away in midfield.
Kerry 0-15 Tyrone 1-11
Bradley brings Tyrone level but it’s only momentarily as Anthony Maher restores Kerry’s lead. Just six minutes remaining.
Kerry 0-16 Tyrone 1-11
Kerry’s lead is two as Killian Young scores his first point of the day. We’re set for a thrilling finish.
Break in play as Cooper receives attention. The Kerry forward can’t fist it over the bar from a tight angle but the referee calls it back for a late tackle on the Gooch.
McNabb is shown a yellow card and the replays aren’t pretty with Cooper receiving an almighty whack to the head after shooting.
Kerry 0-17 Tyrone 1-11
That was silly from McNabb. O’Donoghue takes the resultant free and makes no mistake.
Kerry 0-18 Tyrone 1-11
Kerry are just winding down the clock here and Barry John Keane, who is just on, surely seals the win with a superb curling points. The Kerry fans are already celebrating.
Full-time! Kerry see off Tyrone and the Kingdom will be back at Croke Park in four weeks as they look to defend the Sam Maguire.
weather looks miserable in Croker. that might be a slight advantage to Tyrone. they will be looking to slow the game down as much as possible and the weather will help. still think Kerry will win by 5 points.
If Tyrone win it will be the biggest shock in decades.
Donegal at 15/2 might disagree
This will be a GAA production of Beauty and the Beast.
Kerry by 4
Tyrone by 2
Goals :)
Good call Ronan, spot on.
love the irony of the Tyrone fans booing Kerry’s possession game…
Ah here leave it ouuuuut
I wonder will many Rangers fans stay tuned into SkySports5 and be watching this game..
Huh, “Amanda”?
That’s nearly as childish as the comment above it..
Amanda’s comment that is..
that’s just silly amanda.
for Fu*k sake. Will somebody at the 42 get rid of people who put up stupid comments like the one seen above.
free speech? sticks and stones..
Jeez Brolly talks some nonsense. Practically creaming his pants that Tyrone are a point down. Wonder if he’s giving the half time teamtalk to Tyrone through video link. Hasn’t given Kerry any credit for being 1 point up in an entertaining game.
Neutral by the way:-).
Martin Kearney absolutely up Tyrone arse commentating
Cmon Tyrone
up the Kingdom
C’mon Tir Eoghain
pretty good skill level is brutal conditions. shame to see Kavanagh in the refs ear every two mins. Mon and play the game, shaping up to be a good one
Donnaghy at least as bad…
Not from what the cameras are showing. Before you even start I support neither team but jaysus I hate that kinda moaning from either side. Tyrone by 2
that oul ejit won’t talk to Rte for telling the truth.
Up the Dubs ….
F(ck the Jackeens!
That was not a penalty
Tyrone are normally very good in tight games, interesting 2nf half to come
Kerry to win by about 10 pts – Tyrone have no chance.
don’t know about that now. good game so far
Yep good game and Tyrone doing better than I thought … but they have had a few bad wides and missed 2 clear goals – they will pay for those in the 2nd half
Jesus, Brolly is a bitter little man. Can’t give credit to Kerry only moaning about decisions given against Tyrone
Under 29.5 points is 5 to 2 at bet365 in the Kerry Tyrone match. Ground has to be ringing and joD bounces the ball too much in the wet. Ground has to be ringing, tyrone out to suffocate.
Croker park pitch stands up well to wet weather though?
That is a good result for Gaelic Football
Coybib
ref just copped out on that call
well the gaa will be happy ref just given them the match
I’m not sure they were handed the game but the ref favored Kerry all day.
The Sunday Game “Black Card Territory”
harsh blackcard for McNamee.
fantastic off the cuff play by Tyrone for all of the first 2 minutes.
Outrageous free by Morgan. Great game so far, both teams playing good football.
Change the record Paul Dunne.
it was a top class score. not many players would be able to score from there.
don’t read my comments aideen
haha right. Like you give anyone a choice. I’ll close my eyes as I scroll through just incase you’ve posted shall I? We get it. You hate Ulster football. You don’t need to remind us 10 times a day, every day.
Well said..
no if you that you won’t see any posts and that would be pointless, just skip a post I submit it’s what I do to yours unless you direct one at me.
You’re right, It’d be very pointless. A bit like your posts.
Doesn’t look like he skipped over your last comment.. I think you touched a nerve. Very entertaining game so far..
don’t be silly now it was a direct response to me.