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Tyrone's Mattie Donnelly hits the net. INPHO/Donall Farmer
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Tyrone see off the challenge of Kildare in qualifier in Newbridge

Mattie Donnelly’s first-half goal proved crucial to Tyrone’s victory.

Tyrone 1-11
Kildare 0-12

TYRONE ADVANCED TO face Meath in Round 4 of the All-Ireland football championship with a hard-fought win over Kildare tonight.

The teams clashed in St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge in their Round 3 meeting with Mattie Donnelly’s first-half goal proving critical to Tyrone’s victory.

Kildare saw their impressive qualifier record under Kieran McGeeney’s management come to an end as they exited the championship.

They finished the game with 14 men as well with Peter Kelly sent off for a second yellow card offence in the finale.

Mickey Harte’s Tyrone team held their nerve to set up a meeting in Croke Park against Meath next Saturday night.

Tyrone were grateful to their strong start to the game with Donnelly finding the net in the 10th minute as he finished with aplomb after Kildare’s defence was prised apart.

The winners continued to dominate with Sean Cavanagh and Darren McCurry picking off points whereas Kildare struggled desperately in front of goal in the opening period.

19 minutes separated Johnny Doyle notching Kildare’s 3rd and 4th points of the evening as the Lilywhites went in at the break to face a 1-6 to 0-4 deficit.

But they improved their performance immeasurably after the interval to reel off five points in succession – Doyle (2), Padraic O’Neill, Niall Kelly and Paul Cribbin were all on the mark – to draw level by the 44th minute at 1-6 to 0-9.

Then Tyrone earned a penalty when Emmet Bolton committed a foot block but ace attacker Stephen O’Neill saw his penalty effort brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Shane Connolly.

The game was now in the melting pot with a McCurry free edging Tyrone in front in the 50th minute before Doyle tied the sides with a point for Kildare two minutes later.

However Tyrone made a decisive burst for the finish line as Mark Donnelly, Cavanagh, Martin Penrose and Peter Harte all notched points to put them into a 1-11 to 0-10 lead with four minutes remaining.

Kildare also suffered the setback of seeing Peter Kelly sent off when he was shown a second yellow card. They hit late points from Eoghan O’Flaherty and Seanie Johnston but Tyrone held on to secure victory.

Scorers for Tyrone: Sean Cavanagh 0-4 (0-3f), Matthew Donnelly 1-1, Darren McCurry 0-3 (0-3f), Mark Donnelly, Martin Penrose (0-1f), Peter Harte 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kildare: Johnny Doyle 0-6 (0-4f), Niall Kelly 0-2, Padraic O’Neill, Paul Cribbin, Eoghan O’Flaherty, Seanie Johnston (0-1 sideline) 0-1 each.

TYRONE: Pascal McConnell; Aidan McCrory, Conor Clarke, Cathal McCarron; Ryan McKenna, Peter Harte, Conor Gormley; Colm Cavanagh, Sean Cavanagh; Matthew Donnelly, Mark Donnelly, Joe McMahon; Darren McCurry, Stephen O’Neill, Martin Penrose.

Subs: Aidan Cassidy for Colm Cavanagh (43), Dermot Carlin for McBride (52), Kyle Coney for McCurry (58), Justin McMahon for McCarron (69), Conor McAliskey for O’Neill (69).

KILDARE: Shane Connolly; David Hyland, Peter Kelly, Hugh McGrillen; Eamonn Callaghan, Morgan O’Flaherty, Emmet Bolton; Daryl Flynn, Padraig O’Neill; Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly, Eoghan O’Flaherty; John Doyle, Tomás O’Connor, Paddy Brophy.

Subs: Paul Cribbin for Daniel Flynn (19), Sean Hurley for Callaghan (34), Seanie Johnston for O’Neill (55), Alan Smith for Kelly (58), Eoin Doyle for O’Connor (65).

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

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