Advertisement
Cathal Noonan/INPHO
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Kerry v Tyrone, All-Ireland football semi-final

It was a rotten day in the capital but that didn’t dampen the atmosphere as a place in the All-Ireland final was up for grabs.

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.

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.

Michael Foley and Eoghan Concannon Andrew Paton / INPHO Andrew Paton / INPHO / INPHO

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.

The Kerry team during the team parade Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

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.

David Moran with Matthew Donnelly Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

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.

PENALTY TO TYRONE!

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 0-14 Tyrone 1-11

We’re level!

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.

Stephen OÕBrien and Aidan McCrory Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

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.

Two minutes of additional time.

Just before that, Niall Morgan wasted a free in a good position.

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.

‘There is always that fear, it’s very hard to listen to that and not be affected by it’

This Limerick hurling stalwart’s chance for revenge has come after nearly 20 years

Your Voice
Readers Comments
55
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.