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Irish Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Kerry boss Jack O'Connor delights in being back in a seventh All-Ireland final
What a difference a fortnight makes. Kerry manager Jack O'Connor is no less happy to have beaten Tyrone in Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final than he was when champions Armagh were tumbled two weeks ago: 'Delighted,' he specifies. But he is a more upbeat, less recriminatory Jack than when taking issue with his team's treatment at the hands of Kerry pundits after the quarter-final, contentedly contemplating his seventh All-Ireland final – even though the season is now truncated. 'In the old days, it was three or four weeks to an All-Ireland final, but it'll be a great two weeks, you know, there's always a great buzz around the county so really looking forward to it now.' There may not have been the sturm und drang of the 15 minutes when Armagh were consigned to their championship exit by an unanswered 14-point barrage, but once again Kerry dominated and ran off a series of scores that effectively took the match away from Tyrone. READ MORE Once Darragh Canavan had cut the margin to a point in the 42nd minute, 0-13 to 1-11, the Ulster team didn't score again for 22 minutes by which stage they were eight points worse off on the scoreboard and embarking on the last few minutes of their 2025 season. It had started quite well for them and they led for most of the first quarter and were right in it until half-time. But Kerry had turned the tables with a 29th-minute goal by David Clifford , who would end the day with 1-9, and they were never headed again. A Kerry fan celebrates a score at Croke Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho O'Connor thought that the wind might have played a role in subduing Tyrone in that third quarter but he also pinpointed a much better performance from his team around the middle where the early imperium of Conn Kilpatrick was broken and Kerry's Joe O'Connor was named TV man-of-the-match for a dynamic display getting on ball and moving forward. 'What a game Joe had, you know, a powerful game and he's getting better ... all the time. 'We got to grips around the middle of the field – that was the big thing. No better man than this man here on a lot of breaks [he was sitting beside his captain Gavin White, who had played a big role in turning things around] and that was the thing that was killing us early on. 'I think there was a bit of a disconnect between Shane's kick-out and fellas getting to the pitch at the break, so we spoke about that at half-time and I think that was a big factor in the second half.' He acknowledged that the win could have been more emphatic, given the number of goal opportunities his team created. But a combination of poor finishing, inspired goalkeeping by Niall Morgan, and some desperate defensive interventions kept the score in check. 'I know, I know, two or three at the back post that looked like tap-ins: it's disappointing ... but at least we created the chances. Today we were creating goal chances. A dejected Kieran McGeary after Tyrone's defeat to Kerry at Croke Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'The last day we were creating two-point chances, but I think it's a sign of the team that they recognised what was in front of them and there was a bit more space inside this time. And they got the ball in and created those chances, but yeah, look, sure of course we could have had an easier afternoon if we converted a couple more.' White was asked about the challenge of playing in such hot weather – with on-field temperatures in the high 20s. 'Certainly, they were difficult conditions to play in so I suppose we were looking to try and keep the ball as much as we could, but everyone on our team was obviously trying to run the ball as best as they could. It was fairly warm out there at pitch level.' Malachy O'Rourke, as a former member of the FRC , whose rules modifications have played such a role in making the football championship the best in years, was able to accept ruefully that the additional space accorded to full forwards had been additionally challenging. But he had no excuses, demurring when asked to comment on his team's meagre free count in the first half. In general, he acknowledged that things hadn't worked as planned. 'Yeah, it was disappointing the way it got away from us. I suppose at half-time we felt we were right in the game. First half we played a lot of good football. We did well on both kick-outs. I suppose the downside of that was we gave away a wee bit of possession cheaply through our own efforts, unforced, and then Kerry put us under pressure at times. 'And then we were caught a wee bit at the back then, we left ourselves a wee bit bare at the back. And obviously David Clifford, we didn't give Paudie [Hampsey] enough cover at times, and David Clifford in particular was very prominent there.'
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
David Clifford's 1-9 sees Kerry into All-Ireland final with room to spare over Tyrone
All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Kerry 1-20 Tyrone 0-17 On the hottest day of the year, Kerry got the job done long before the final whistle to qualify for a third All-Ireland SFC final in four years. Tyrone were reduced to booming in long, hopeful balls during the closing stages after Kerry made a decisive move in the third quarter of this semi-final to drain all hope from the Ulster side's challenge. Kerry celebrated briefly at the final whistle but many of the players were off down the tunnel before Joe O'Connor had even finished his man-of-the-match interview along the Hogan Stand sideline. The Tyrone players lingered on the pitch until they were accompanied only by some of the panel's young children and a crafty flock of ravenous seagulls who descended upon the stadium to feed on whatever parcels of food had been left behind from the departed 62,434 spectators. READ MORE For most of the afternoon the Tyrone forwards had been forced to live off scraps, while at the other end of the field David Clifford was in gluttonous form, finishing the game with 1-9 and ensuring Pádraig Hampsey will spend a few nights seeing the back of his Kerry jersey in his nightmares. [ Kerry 1-20 Tyrone 0-17 - As it happened Opens in new window ] Kerry led 1-9 to 0-9 at half-time, having played with the breeze in that opening period, but they won the match in a commanding second-half display. Darragh Canavan kept Tyrone in the contest with four points – including one two-pointer – during the opening 10 minutes after the restart. However, from the 43rd to the 63rd minute Kerry outscored Tyrone 0-8 to no score to lead 1-20 to 0-13. Tyrone kicked five successive wides in a six-minute period during that spell, too, and with each miscued effort the energy visibly drained from Tyrone's challenge. Four of their starting six forwards had been taken off by the end. Even coming down the home straight, Kerry's energy and desire were impressive – Brian Ó Beaglaoich put his body on the line to make a superb last-ditch diving block on a Niall Devlin shot. A Tyrone goal wouldn't have made any difference to the outcome, but Ó Beaglaoich's willingness to make that block offered an insight to Kerry's mindset. And though the final 10 minutes played out more like the end of a one-sided league game than a closely contested All-Ireland semi-final, Tyrone had actually laid the foundations for a possible upset in a decent first-half showing. Jason Foley of Kerry attempts to block an effort from Tyrone's Eoin McElholm during the semi-final at Croke Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho There were significant changes made to both teams before throw-in, with Paudie Clifford and Mark O'Shea starting for Kerry while Micheál Burns and Conor Geaney dropped to the bench. Eoin McElholm and Ben McDonnell came in from the start for Tyrone with Rory Brennan and Peter Harte making way. The announcement of McElholm's inclusion – his first senior championship start – generated a huge chorus of cheers from the Tyrone fans inside the stadium. Dylan Casey immediately picked up McElholm while Paul Murphy marshalled Canavan and Jason Foley marked Darren McCurry. At the other end of the field Hampsey was given the onerous task of tagging David Clifford, Cormac Quinn picked up Dylan Geaney while Devlin marked Paudie Clifford. Such was the heat in Croke Park that several players carried ice packs as they walked the pitch for the pre-game parade, Mattie Donnelly dabbing the back of his neck as the band marched down by the Cusack Stand. But Tyrone started like a group of players with ice in their veins – McElholm taking to the moment like a seasoned veteran as he danced inside the Kerry defence to feed Ciarán Daly for his side's opening point in the fourth minute. That made it 0-1 apiece after O'Shea had popped over an early point following a foul on David Clifford. Even in those opening stages, Clifford looked dangerous. But Tyrone were the better team in the opening quarter of an hour and a nice left-footed point by McElholm put them 0-5 to 0-2 ahead. They had also created two goal chances, the second of those saw Shane Ryan save well from Darren McCurry, though the shot was hit at a nice height for the Kerry goalkeeper. Tyrone also turned over Kerry's first four kick-outs. But the Munster champions simply refused to get flustered. O'Connor was doing brilliantly driving forward from the middle of the field and as the game progressed the clearer it became that Hampsey was struggling to get a handle on David Clifford. Not that it was all the Tyrone defender's fault, he was left exposed too often. But before Clifford netted his 29th-minute goal, it's fair to say many in Croke Park felt such a score had been coming. Kerry's Joe O'Connor celebrates scoring a point. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Mike Breen was allowed saunter up the field unchecked and gave a lovely weighted handpass inside to Clifford. The Fossa man still had a bit of work to do but used his trademark bounce deftly to buy some extra space and evade Niall Morgan before placing the ball to the back of the net. Morgan made some fine stops during the game but Clifford's genius with the hop was fitting of the occasion. Tyrone probably weren't too disheartened to only go in three down at the break because they had the wind to come in the second half. Canavan reduced the gap to two inside the opening minute and when he added a two-pointer soon after it appeared a gripping climax might be in the offing. Kerry had other ideas though. It was too warm for such drama so instead they shifted through the gears and got back safely down the road with little fuss. Tyrone's attack started to malfunction, too, during that second half. McElholm, Daly and Seánie O'Donnell had been lively and productive in the first half but their influence on the game waned and all three were eventually hauled ashore. Kerry had repelled Tyrone's early onslaught. Tyrone couldn't do likewise when the Kerry one followed. The Kingdom now await the winners of Sunday's semi-final between Donegal and Meath. It'll be a green and gold decider, either way. The writing of Kerry epitaphs seems a lifetime ago now. KERRY: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Joe O'Connor (0-0-2), Mark O'Shea; Seán O'Brien, Seán O'Shea (0-0-3, 2f), Graham O'Sullivan (0-0-1); David Clifford (1-1-7, 0-4f), Paudie Clifford (0-0-2), Dylan Geaney (0-0-1). Subs: Killian Spillane (0-0-2) for Geaney (48 mins); Evan Looney for Casey (58); Tadhg Morley for Breen, Micheál Burns for O'Brien (both 62); Tony Brosnan for P Clifford (65). TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Pádraig Hampsey, Niall Devlin; Ben McDonnell, Peter Teague, Kieran McGeary (0-0-1); Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Seánie O'Donnell (0-0-2), Mattie Donnelly (0-0-2), Ciarán Daly (0-0-2); Eoin McElholm (0-0-1), Darren McCurry, Darragh Canavan (0-1-5, 0-2f). Subs: Michael McKernan for McDonnell, Mark Bradley for McCurry (both 48 mins); Peter Harte for Daly (52); Ruairí Canavan (0-1-0) for McElholm (56); Michael O'Neill for O'Donnell (67). Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Clifford-led Kerry beat Tyrone to reach All-Ireland final
Tyrone's hopes of landing an All-Ireland title in Malachy O'Rourke's first year in charge were ended by Kerry, who comfortably won Saturday's semi-final 1-20 to 0-17 in the Croke Park the latest chapter of an intense and storied rivalry that has delivered numerous classics down the years, David Clifford's 1-9 helped the Kingdom see off the Red Hands and push the Munster heavyweights closer to their 39th Sam Maguire. Darragh Canavan (0-7) shone for Tyrone, but overcoming Jack O'Connor's side proved too big an ask for the four-time champions, who trailed 1-9 to 0-9 at half-time before fading after the break. It was another impressive display from Kerry, however, who again proved too strong for Ulster opposition after beating Armagh by eight points in the who last won the title in 2022, will face the winners of Sunday's semi-final between Donegal and Meath (16:00 BST) in the showpiece game on 27 July. More to follow.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
McKernan return gives Tyrone semi-final boost
Michael McKernan has been passed fit to be a part of Tyrone's panel for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. The Coalisland clubman, 27, was a doubt for the game at Croke Park (17:00 BST) having missed the quarter-final victory over Dublin thanks to a shoulder injury picked up in the round-robin stage against Cavan. Advertisement Red Hands' coach Colm McCullagh had appeared to rule the half-back out of the semi-final earlier this week but he has been named among Malachy O'Rourke's replacements. Mark Bradley is also on the bench having been a late scratch from the win against Dublin two weeks ago. O'Rourke has named an unchanged starting line-up from the one that beat the Dubs in what proved to be Dessie Farrell's last game in charge of Dublin. Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Padraig Hampsey, Niall Devlin; Peter Teague, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Peter Harte, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, Darragh Canavan. Subs: Oisin O'Kane, Aidan Clarke, Michael Rafferty, Frank Burns, Michael McKernan, Ben McDonnell, Michael O'Neill, Conor Meyler, Eoin McElholm, Mark Bradley, Ruairi Canavan.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
McKernan return gives Tyrone semi-final boost
Michael McKernan has been passed fit to be a part of Tyrone's panel for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. The Coalisland clubman, 27, was a doubt for the game at Croke Park (17:00 BST) having missed the quarter-final victory over Dublin thanks to a shoulder injury picked up in the round-robin stage against Hands' coach Colm McCullagh had appeared to rule the half-back out of the semi-final earlier this week but he has been named among Malachy O'Rourke's Bradley is also on the bench having been a late scratch from the win against Dublin two weeks ago.O'Rourke has named an unchanged starting line-up from the one that beat the Dubs in what proved to be Dessie Farrell's last game in charge of Dublin. Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Padraig Hampsey, Niall Devlin; Peter Teague, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Peter Harte, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, Darragh Oisin O'Kane, Aidan Clarke, Michael Rafferty, Frank Burns, Michael McKernan, Ben McDonnell, Michael O'Neill, Conor Meyler, Eoin McElholm, Mark Bradley, Ruairi Canavan.
