KERRY'S Paul Geaney was delighted to be leaving Healy Park with the Kingdom's Division One status secured following Sunday's draw with Tyrone, which sent the Red Hands down to the second tier of the National League.
The talented Dingle forward, a 15th minute substitution for Barry John Keane, plundered 1-2 in a five minute spell, including a crucial 45th minute goal.
The All-Ireland winner admitted Eamonn Fitzmaurice's men could count themselves lucky to avoid the drop as, following results elsewhere, a one point win would have saved Tyrone and condemned the Kingdom.
"We came here to win and we didn't do that, so it is a missed opportunity in that sense. But we did get a draw, and that's that," said Geaney (pictured).
"You get nothing easy up here. I know it's a cliché but honest to God, they were looking for something in the end.
"They took the point in the end and if they went for goal, they might have got one. They hit the post, so we got the rub of the green. It was a big turnaround from last week."
Geaney also revealed that the Kerry forwards had a major task on their hands in the first half to breach a well-organised Red Hand defence but, when the Ulster side opened up in the second half, that job became a little easier.
He continued: "It was extremely difficult in the first half, there were pockets of space there and we were just a little slow in realising that.
"It cost us but we managed to get in at half-time a point down. There was a bit of a breeze there, and they played a bit more orthodox in the second half so we were able to use that.
"We received excellent ball during the second half and it created space, made a difference.
"Their [Tyrone's] game is demanding, it is up and down, and up and down. We mightn't have had the legs for it this early in the year and they kind of abandoned it a bit.
"They got the draw and credit to them as well."
A major plus for Kerry was the return of the mercurial Colm 'Gooch' Cooper from injury, and Geaney was delighted to see the Dr Croke's ace back in the green and gold.
"It's great to see him back, he settled things down there at the end.
"Other teams might have panicked in that situation and he came on, level head and lots of experience - just made sure that we kept the ball in hand and kept possession.
"It's great to have him back and there will be more fellas returning from injury so we are looking forward to having the full panel and getting ready for Championship."