Kerry break Tyrone hearts in epic quarter-final

June 27, 2026 No Comments

Kerry break Tyrone hearts in epic quarter-finalImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Armin Heinrich and David Clifford scored Kerry’s goals ByOdhran CrumleyBBC Sport NI Journalist at Croke ParkPublished32 minutes agoDefending champions Kerry survived a major scare to edge out Tyrone 2-25 to 0-27 and reach the All-Ireland semi-finals after a heart-stopping last-eight encounter at Croke Park. Substitute Darren McCurry hit 0-10 in the second half to lead a valiant Tyrone fightback, but a late Paudie Clifford point and goal from Armin Heinrich sealed a thrilling victory for Jack O’Connor’s side. David Clifford once again starred as he hit 1-8 and was ably assisted by Dylan Geaney, who fired over 0-8 in a man-of-the-match display.Malachy O’Rourke’s side – who were without injured forward Darragh Canavan – will be left to rue a real missed opportunity after kicking 11 wides.The Kingdom, who have now beaten Tyrone in the last three Croke Park championship meetings, join Mayo as the first two teams into the semi-finals which will be played in a fortnight.Louth face Monaghan (13:45 BST) and Dublin take on Galway (16:00) in Sunday’s quarter-finals. All-Ireland SFC: Holders Kerry break Tyrone hearts in epic quarter-final

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Clifford on fire as Tyrone left to rue missed chances

David Clifford scores his goal — Image caption,

David Clifford scored a brilliant goal in the first half when he lashed a ferocious shot past Niall Morgan

Surprisingly, Cormac Quinn was given the unenviable task of marking David Clifford, and he could do little as the Fossa man rattled home 1-3 in the opening 20 minutes.

The Red Hands were well in the contest throughout the opening stanza, raising three orange flags, but were left to rue seven wides as they headed down the tunnel two points down at the break.

Paudie Clifford nailed an early two-point free, after Michael McKernan was caught holding off the ball by referee Paddy Neilan.

Tyrone launched an immediate reply as Conn Kilpatrick landed from two-point range, at the other end his club-mate Niall Morgan was called into action standing firm to deny Paul Geaney a goal.

Red Hand belief started to grow as the half wore on with three scores on the spin from Eoin McElholm, Ronan Cassidy and Mattie Donnelly giving them a two-point lead after 15 minutes.

The Kingdom response was ruthless, however, as David Clifford and Paul Geaney pointed, before the former latched on to a loose ball to fire into the top-left hand corner of the net in emphatic fashion.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side refused to wilt and further two-point efforts from Ethan Jordan and a monstrous effort from Kieran McGeary restored parity after half an hour.

Efforts from Dylan and Paul Geaney either side of a point from Michael McKernan – who had earlier been tasked with marking Paudie Clifford – gave the Kingdom a two point lead at half-time, 1-11 played 0-12.

Super-sub McCurry’s brave effort falls short

Darren McCurry — Image caption,

Darren McCurry again starred off the bench for Tyrone, hitting 0-10

Malachy O’Rourke opted for a tactical switch at the start of the second half and handed Niall Devlin the responsibility of tailing David Clifford.

The All-Ireland champions outscored Tyrone 0-5 to 0-2 across the opening 10 minutes of the half, Dylan Geaney and David Clifford (free) firing over from two-point range to extend their lead to five.

Darren McCurry was sprung from the bench in response, and immediately got into the action by nailing a difficult two-point free.

The Ulster side had a chance to level from the next attack, Donnelly feeding McElholm through, but his angle was quickly narrowed as Shane Murphy made a brave stop.

Kerry almost killed off the Tyrone charge on 50 minutes. Sean O’Shea, just on to the field, squared the ball to Dylan Geaney on the edge of the area, and with the goal gaping, his pass was over-hit.

The warning shot seemed to fire-up the men in white and red, as they hit the next three points, McElholm and McCurry shooting over, before McElholm put one between the sides blazing over via the crossbar with many waiting for the net to bulge.

Dylan Geaney was in inspired form and kicked the next three scores, including his second two-pointer.

Not to be outdone, McCurry landed his second two-pointer from a free, as Kerry were punished for failing to keep three players in attack. When Donnelly followed up with his third of the day, there was just one point between the sides with 15 minutes left.

McCurry and David Clifford started to have their own personal battle on the scoreboard with little to separate the sides, before Paudie Clifford landed a 45′ after a disputed effort which the Tyrone players felt went wide, only for the umpire to award the 45′.

Super-sub McCurry kicked his eighth and ninth points to leave one in it with three to play.

Paudie Clifford and McCurry traded efforts heading into the final play of the match, Kerry winning their own kick-out as Armin Heinrich finished to the net on the hooter as Tyrone desperately tried to win the ball back at the death.

Line-ups and teams

Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Peter Teague, Joey Clarke; Michael McKernan (0-1), Niall Devlin, Kieran McGeary (0-2 1x2pt); Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick (0-2 1x2pt); Seanie O’Donnell (0-1), Ronan Cassidy (0-1), Ciaran Daly; Eoin McElholm (0-3), Matthew Donnelly (0-3), Ethan Jordan (0-4 1f, 1x2pt).

Subs: Darren McCurry (0-10 2f, 2x2ptf) for C Daly (44), Ciaran Bogue for E Jordan (56), Frank Burns for K McGeary (59), Michael Rafferty for C Quinn (60), Conor O’Neill for R Cassidy (66)

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Gavin White, Mike Breen, Graham O’Sullivan; Mark O’Shea, Sean O’Brien; Joe O’Connor, Paudie Clifford (0-5, 1×45′ 1x2ptf), Diarmuid O’Connor (0-1); David Clifford (1-8 1x2ptf, 1f), Paul Geaney (0-3 2f), Dylan Geaney (0-8 2x2pt).

Subs: Sean O’Shea for P Geaney (47), Keith Evan for S O’Brien (56), Evan Looney for P Murphy (57), Armin Heinrich (1-0) for G O’Sullivan (60), Killian Spillane for D Geaney (68).

Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)

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