All-Ireland SFC: Kerry break Tyrone hearts in epic quarter-final
Defending 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 quarter-final 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 have now beaten Tyrone in the last three Croke Park championship meetings and join Mayo as the first two teams into the semi-finals, which will be played in a fortnight.
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. 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.
Kerry's response was ruthless, however, as David Clifford and Paul Geaney pointed before the former latched onto a loose ball to fire into the top-left 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.
Louth face Monaghan and Dublin take on Galway in Sunday's quarter-finals.