Allianz National Football League Division One: Tyrone 1-16 Kerry 0-14
ONE thing about the enclosed press box on the far side of the field in Healy Park is that it’s virtually sound-proof – but even its residents could hear the rapturous ovation afforded to Frank Burns as he was substituted in stoppage-time yesterday.
By the time the Pomeroy man was making his way off the field, Tyrone’s first NFL victory over Kerry since 2010 was already assured.
With both sides already guaranteed Division One football next year, yesterday’s encounter lacked a competitive edge. But that in no way should diminish Burns’ defensive master-class at centre half-back for the Red Hands.
Afterwards, Mickey Harte didn’t need much prompting to wax lyrical about the undoubted man-of-the-match.
“It was as good a performance that we have seen from a Tyrone player at any level over the years,” he said, “and I don’t think Cathal McShane was very far behind him either.”
Burns’ positional sense, his tackling, confidence in possession and attacking forays were glowing features of an otherwise forgettable affair.
While Harte can sleep easy over the centre of his defence, the Tyrone manager has concerns over Colm Cavanagh’s fitness ahead of their Ulster Championship clash with Monaghan on May 20
The 2017 Allstar midfielder faces a four or five-week lay-off after injuring his calf during some shooting practice on Thursday night.
Niall Sludden and Mark Bradley were also notable absentees for the home side yesterday while Connor McAliskey was reluctantly used as a late sub in their five-point win over the Kingdom.
Despite the absentees Tyrone still had sufficient scoring power to see off their equally weakened visitors to Omagh.
Cathal McShane hit three points from play and could easily have raised a green flag with his first score of the day in the 33rd minute. Lee Brennan rounded off an excellent League campaign with five points (0-4 frees) and Ronan O’Neill found his range with three placed balls.
Declan McClure claimed the only three-pointer of the day from close range after a brilliant break and assist from Peter Harte in the 67th minute, nine minutes after Ronan O’Neill’s missed penalty.
Few teams canter to victory over Kerry – but this was pretty close.
And yet, the first 25 minutes of yesterday’s ‘dead rubber’ suggested it could be a long afternoon for the Red Hands.
Some exceptional scores from distance put Kerry firmly in the driving seat.
Wing-back Cormac Coffey shot from the edges of Tyrone’s defensive blanket to open Kerry’s account in the fourth minute and Johnny Buckley and Michael Geaney followed up with equally impressive scores from distance.
Stephen O’Brien did, however, manage to wriggle through the Tyrone defence - showing Aidan McCrory a clean pair of heels - to notch a pair of points in the 11th and 20th minutes.
But with Burns forcing some of the Kerry forwards into u-turns, Tyrone began to gain a foothold.
The home side trailed 0-5 to 0-2 after 16 minutes and 0-7 to 0-4 after 24 minutes – but they dug deep to carry a 0-10 to 0-9 lead in at the break.
Mattie Donnelly broke from his defensive position to hit a smashing point on the half hour mark that seemed to inspire the Red Hands.
Michael Burns replied for Kerry in their next attack before Tyrone hit four unanswered points through McShane, Kieran McGeary, Niall Morgan (free) and Brennan (free) in the closing stages of the first half.
It was virtually point for point after the restart before Tyrone started turning the screw in the final 20 minutes. They could even afford to miss a 58th minute penalty before McClure palmed the ball home to effectively seal Tyrone’s fourth win in Division One.
At that stage, Kerry didn’t seem to have the stomach to claw their way back into the game.
“After four games we only had two points and it was dicey looking,” Harte admitted.
“The Donegal win was so important, Mayo was excellent and I suppose a lot of people were telling us it was a long time since we beat Kerry and I suppose it is nice to put the record straight any day of the week. I am very pleased with the outcome.”
He added: “It's good to be winning the last three games. There was perhaps nothing at stake but league points, but I think there is always something at stake when you are playing at this level - you have to believe there is something at stake.
"I don't think Kerry came up to lose, I think they wanted to win and that's really pleasing for us as a county.”
For Kerry, Johnny Buckley showed quality glimpses alongside O’Brien, Michael Geaney and Mark Griffin as they go into hibernation until their June 2 Munster Championship semi-final against Limerick or Clare.
“We’d prefer to be a small bit further down the road in terms of our performances,” said Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice.
“In terms of personnel that saw game-time (37 Kerry players were used in the League), that’s excellent, and to stay in Division One was obviously hugely important.”
Tyrone: N Morgan (0-1 free); C McCarron, R McNamee, A McCrory; R McNabb, F Burns, R Brennan; K McGeary (0-1), D McClure (1-1); M Donnelly (0-1), P Harte, C McCann (0-1); L Brennan (0-5, 0-4 frees), C McShane (0-3), R O’Neill (0-3, frees) Subs: D Mulgrew for K McGeary (53), C Meyler for C McCann (55), P Hampsey for A McCrory (58), C McAlliskey for C Meyler (62, inj), M McKernan for P Hampsey (63), B McDonnell for R O’Neill (69), B Burns for F Burns (71)
Yellow cards: F Burns (35), C McShane (56)
Blood substitution: M McKernan for P Hampsey (63),
Kerry: B Kelly; B O Beaghaoich, J Foley, T O’Sullivan; C Coffey (0-1), M Griffin, M Geaney (0-1); J Barry, D Moran; M Burns (0-1), D Casey (0-1), K McCarthy; K Spillane (0-5 frees), J Buckley (0-2), S O’Brien (0-2) Subs: E O Conchuir for M Burns (h/t), T Morley M Geaney (h/t), B O’Sullivan for D Casey (58), M Flaherty (0-1) for J Buckley (69), G Horan for D Moran (69)
Yellow cards: C Coffey (29), M Griffin (35)
Referee: M Deegan (Laois)
