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.
United are a joke!
It’s brilliant!
Did u even read the article?
In what way? This should be interesting.
Lol United are so bad now, hype themselves up all summer and will be fighting Spurs and Everton for 5th place come May.
United fans myself included were patient last year. That patience is going to wear thin very quickly if something decisive doesn’t happen in the next 2 weeks. Not to win the league but to make us competitive for a top 4 spot. Somewhere between Woodward and the glazers is the truth in all this and the focus is going to mount day by day now on both.
What’s going to happen when your patience runs out if you don’t mind me asking??
He’ll start supporting Liverpool
Ask your advice obviously
Hahaha. Well played!
Fair play sir. I doff my cap to you
Yeah a much better team why wouldn’t he?
Have a look at how the Glazers run their sports teams in the US, such as the Tampa Bay Buc’s. They are very happy to have an average team turning over a profit with the option to sell that club in a very lucrative markets (NFL & Premiership). Made their money nickel and diming poor people in trailer home parks ! Bit like they are doing at OT.
You can’t really compare a small/medium market team like the Buccaneers to United though can you? For Tamba Bay to be competitive is half the battle! Now if the Glaziers owned the Patriots, Steelers, etc and acted the same way it would be the same thing.
Teams go in cycles, and right now United are going through a rough one. It’s just about remaining competitive while the team rebuilds. As an Arsenal fan that can be very frustrating though!
My thoughts were not related to market share or size but their view and management style. I think they are lacking that connection to their club. Man U might as well be Dunnes Stores for all they really care. Compare the Red Sox owners of Liverpool, they are IMHO more intune with sports side of the business which can be clearly seen in their desire to build a connection between Fenway and Anfield.
Can you really say it’s the Glazers not investing? As Gary Neville pointed out in the last 5 transfer windows only PSG in Europe have a higher net spend on players than Man United. Now they’re looking at the team thinking ‘we spent all that money but don’t appear to have very much to show for it,’ how can you expect them to pump even more money in? Something is wrong with the way United are investing in the squad. RVP was nothing more than a plaster which temporarily covered over a poor squad, successfully albeit. Fellaini was the definition of a panic buy, paying £28m for a player you didn’t really want when you could have got him £6m cheaper the previous week. Mata was an attempt at making a statement, a superstar became available so United grabbed him to show everyone they can still sign big players even though Kagawa was already surplus to requirements and Mata was there for the same job. Shaw we were told is one for the long term and now we’re told an 18 year old professional athlete is struggling to keep in shape. Zaha has barely been seen in a United shirt since he was bought a year and half ago for £15m. The managers and Woodward have been grossly mis-using the money the Glazers having been giving them, the money is there it’s just not being spent wisely.
They’re spending huge money at Man Utd though, just on poor targets. In the past 12 months I think they’ve spent something close to £150m so you can hardly accuse them of being stingy.
if I were united I’d let Ed Woodward handle the finances he’s done a good job getn sponsers on board and strengthening the clubs position in a marketing sense and is hire ferguson to b d chief negotiator in d market
Ferguson didn’t do that job even when he was manager…Gill did. But I agree with the concept, Woodward is a good CEO but isn’t a cute enough wh0re at transfers.
exactly Woodward has done such an amazing job with the money he has brought to the club in the past 3-4 years but the transfer negotiations should be handled by someone else but definitely not Sir Alex
United!
Only for the letter d..edward woodward would be ewar woowar….drop the w and he is the donkey in winnie the pooh…
Apart from chelsea no other team in the epl has made any decent signings … says a lot about the leauge nowadays
Lukaku to everton?
Sanchez to arsenal?
I think I’ll give them a ring and tell them I’m available.
I was a centre forward 30 years ago. Also a utility centre half.
Got a few goals too.
What’s their number?
Trolling aside what if Woodward is actually doing everything any other person would but the target isn’t interested bigger clubs and champions league are a big factor as well a lot of stick he’s getting when Fergie left the club with a very average squad
City were able to build a title winning squad from humble beginnings and without the promise of Champions League football in the early days. Ditto Liverpool as title contenders.
Why is Cesc Fabregas wearing a blue jersey when he would surely be the best possible successor to Paul Scholes? The answer is hard for Utd fans to accept but the reality is that he turned down the move. This kind of rejection from big name players appears to be coming as a surprise to the Utd management and they need to understand that football is fickle and things can change very quickly.
I wonder if Utd followers now have a greater understanding of what Liverpool went through after the golden era of 70s and 80s ended. When the ‘boot room’ era finished with Daglish, no one foresaw the hardship of the next 25 years. While it’s only the second year United are without Ferguson I wonder are a few starting to sweat over the fact that fighting for a Champions League place is the pinnacle of their goals for a few years. Whilst Rodgers has taken Liverpool to second it’s still a case of wait and see if he brings that or better on a year after year basis. Not much patience in the game these days. The premier league needs both Utd and Liverpool up there fighting year after year with the ‘new money’
#glazersout
This article shows just how much woodward is out of his depht. If only david gill could be reinstated. Also disappointing as a united fan to see the team we could be lining out with.
Good God you would swear nobody ever turned United down before last year , Fergie has for ever talked about targets that were missed out on during his years and that was at a time when if you wanted to play in the PL there were only two teams you went to UTD and Arsenal now you’ve got Chelsea City With Liverpool and Spurs also coming back into the lime light , so there’s a lot more on offer now to players
There’s some amount of panic buttons being pressed lately. One bad season and its curtains for united! ! Preseason we were back to business as usual and now they lost first game of the EPL and everybody thinks were up shitcreek. Wake up boys and girls its early yet. Some fans are just ridiculous, thinking we can win something every season. Its IMPOSSIBLE! CMON UNITED! !