‘We’re not getting the rub of the green...’ Tyrone manager critical of refereeing as Kerry wriggle off the hook in thriller

Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke lamented the refereeing decisions after his team pushed All-Ireland favourites Kerry to the brink at Croke Park. A goal on the final hooter gave Kerry a four-point lead, though the game remained in the balance throughout the second half as Tyrone stayed close to the defending champions. Tyrone were constantly frustrated with calls made by Roscommon referee Paddy Neilan. "It's just disappointing that we didn't get anything out of it," said O'Rourke.

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor acknowledged how close they had come. Claims that the Sam Maguire is Kerry's to lose have been "blown out of the water," he said. Throughout 70 breathless minutes at Croke Park, the Kingdom slugged it out with a Tyrone side that rekindled memories of past glories. David Clifford scored 1-8 for Kerry while Dylan Geaney added 0-8, allowing them to hold off the Red Hands despite Darren McCurry's brilliant 10-point cameo. Armin Heinrich's last-minute goal ultimately settled the contest in Kerry's favour.

Kieran McGeary, the 2021 Footballer of the Year now aged 31, showed clear regret. When told the wider public hadn't given Tyrone a hope against Kerry, he replied: "We didn't care what the general public thought - genuinely didn't care. If you're going to come down with no confidence you may as well stay at home."

McGeary highlighted what he saw as controversial refereeing decisions. "I think that they got a couple of simple ones. I haven't seen any replays yet but overturned that 45 - Pete Teague's arm pulled off the clean catch - small decisions you can't plan for." He acknowledged Tyrone also squandered chances, with Ronan Cassidy denied by a great Shane Murphy save and Eoin McElholm's attempt going over the crossbar. "You take them, it's a different game," McGeary reflected.