Adam Moynihan reports from the Fitzgerald Stadium

National League: Division 1

Kerry 2-11 Tyrone 1-15

HT: Kerry 1-5 Tyrone 0-9

Fitzgerald Stadium

A goal and seven points from the boot of the irrepressible Darren McCurry fired Tyrone to a narrow one-point victory over Kerry in Killarney this afternoon.

McCurry, one of the All-Ireland champions’ All-Stars in 2021, kicked five points in the first period before adding two more points and a sensational goal in the second.

A penalty by Tony Brosnan, his second goal of the game, had given Kerry the lead prior to McCurry’s three-pointer at the three-quarter mark, but they failed to hammer home their advantage. Despite bossing possession in the closing minutes of the game, Jack O’Connor’s men failed to work a suitable scoring opportunity and the Ulster men held on for the win.

In the end, the result counted for little. Kerry already had two feet in the league final and results elsewhere meant that Tyrone would have been safe regardless. Nevertheless, Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan will be pleased to get one over on their fellow All-Ireland contenders. The victory represents Tyrone’s first win in Killarney since 2003.

SUNSHINE

Played beneath glorious sunshine and before a bumper crowd, this match had all the look and feel of summertime championship fare. Unfortunately for Kerry, their performance in the opening stages was far from championship standard.

With Darren McCurry getting plenty of joy down in front of the Lewis Road end of the ground, the Red Hand led 3-2 after 14 minutes. In truth, it could have been more.

Kerry were given a timely boost when captain Joe O’Connor, who was making his first start at senior level, showed off his powerful running style to set up the first goal of the game. The Austin Stacks man took an offload from David Clifford before bursting clear of the Tyrone defence. He then hesitated for a moment before opting to tee up Tony Brosnan, and Kerry’s No. 13 made no mistake from close range.

Points by Darragh Canavan and McCurry drew Tyrone level by the 21st minute and Kerry had a major let-off four minutes later when Conn Kilpatrick and Conor Meyler failed to capitalise on an error by Shane Murphy.

Kieran McGeary, McCurry, and Niall Sludden (two) nudged the visitors in front and as the clock ticked towards 35, Tyrone led by a goal.

Two cracking scores by David Clifford and Tony Bronsan narrowed the gap to give the home supporters some heart heading into the half-time break.

DOMINATED

Tyrone keeper Niall Morgan fired over the first score of the second half from a 45 but Kerry would go on to dominate the third quarter. Stephen O’Brien pointed after being set up by the lively Brosnan, and then Brian Ó Beaglaoich somehow managed to weave his way through the opposition defence to swing over one of the points of the game.

McGeary responded for Tyrone in the 49th minute but moments later an intricate move that was instigated by a superb pass by Paudie Clifford led to a foul on O’Brien in the box. Tony Brosnan stepped forward to take the penalty and he coolly sent Morgan the wrong way to give Kerry a two-point lead.

Remarkably, Kerry’s lead lasted only a matter of seconds. Straight from the restart, Tyrone secured possession and Darragh Canavan picked out McCurry with a wonderful diagonal. The Edendork man spun away from his marker Dylan Casey and rifled a beautiful strike into the top corner of the net, and the visitors were back in front. It was the first goal Kerry conceded from play in 2022.

Two quickfire points by Paul Geaney and David Clifford edged Kerry back out in front in the 57th minute before Kilpatrick equalised with 10 minutes to play.

Another well-worked move that started with David Clifford forcing a turnover and ended with substitute Gavin White fisting over the bar again gave Kerry a one-point lead, but Tyrone reacted well. McCurry was on the money with two consecutive frees and when Peter Harte kicked a fantastic point from distance in the 68th minute, Tyrone led by two.

Geaney halved the deficit with a free two minutes later but Kerry were unable to snatch a draw during seven minutes of stoppage time. David Clifford uncharacteristically turned the ball over and then saw his ambitious effort blocked as Tyrone held on for a rare win on Kerry soil.

Kerry, nevertheless, advance to next weekend’s Division 1 final where they will face second place Mayo, who secured their spot thanks to an eight-point win over Kildare.

That result means that Kildare have been relegated to Division 2, and their neighbours Dublin will be joining them after they fell to a surprising defeat to Monaghan.

KERRY: S Murphy; D Casey, J Foley, T O'Sullivan; G O’Sullivan, T Morley, B Ó Beaglaoich (0-1); D O’Connor, J O’Connor; S O’Brien (0-1), J Savage, M Burns; T Brosnan (2-1, 1p), D Clifford (0-4, 1f), P Geaney (0-3, 2f).

Subs: P Clifford for Savage (HT), A Spillane for Burns (47), J Barry for J O’Connor (47), G White (0-1) for Casey (56), K Spillane for Geaney (70).

TYRONE: N Morgan (0-1, 45); M McKernan, R McNamee, P Hampsey; R Brennan, P Harte (0-1), F Burns; C Kilpatrick (0-1), R Donnelly; C Meyler, N Sludden (0-2), K McGeary (0-2); D McCurry (1-7, 4f 1m), C McShane, D Canavan (0-1).

Subs: L Rafferty for McNamee (temp 17-25), M Donnelly for Meyler (45), L Rafferty for M Donnelly (53), N Donnelly for R Donnelly (57), B McDonnell for McKernan (62), C McKenna for Canavan (69).