Tyrone 1-14

Kerry 1-12

TYRONE seized the initiative in the closing stages of a frantic All-Ireland semi-final clash against Munster kingpins Kerry to deservedly qualify for next weekend’s final.

Paul Devlin’s side trailed by 1-7 to 0-6 early in the second-half after Dylan Geaney raced through to fire low and hard into the Tyrone goal before striking a point shortly afterwords.

However, they showed tremendous courage to drag themselves into the contest with Ruairi Canavan in inspired form up front, finishing with five points from play.

Canavan was involved in the decisive game-winning goal as well, with his effort at a point bouncing off the left-hand post and falling kindly into the arms of Clogher youngster Ciaran Bogue, who coolly finished to the net three minutes from normal time.

Tyrone had heroes all over the pitch, including Seanie O’Donnell, who forced a number of important turnovers despite wearing 13 on his back, Steve Donaghy, Conor Cush and more.

Kerry, who are managed by former attacking star Declan O’Sullivan led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break, but Tyrone’s disciplined defending was posing them plenty of problems, and the Red Hands were unlucky not to goal when powerful midfielder Michael McGleenan’s shot crashed against the crossbar.

Tyrone dominated the third quarter, however, and their hard work paid off with Bogue’s late goal. They will now play Kildare in next weekend’s final with the date and venue yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.