McCurry stars in Tyrone win over Kerry

Tyrone 0-14 Kerry 0-13

Darren McCurry starred as Tyrone claimed a narrow 1 point win over Kerry at Edendork. The game was due to be played in Omagh but the pitch was waterlogged. McCurry kicked 0-06 in a man of the match performance by Darren McCurry, while Niall Morgan also slotted 0-04 from frees.

Sean O’Shea opened the scoring for the visitors, but Niall Morgan’s free levelled matters. The home fans delighted to see their local hero pointing a super free. David Clifford once again showed his magic when pointing, he was dragging Ronan McNamee all over the field. Clifford would assist O’Shea for another score, before floating over a free. Michael Burns extended the lead 0-05 to 0-01 with 15 minutes played.

Kerry should have had a couple of more scores on the board but missed some scorable chances. However, they did find the radar with Clifford once again pointing. Morgan then knocked two frees one of them was from around 50m into the strong breeze. Kerry took a 0-08 to 0-04 lead at the break.

The intensity of the game upped in the second half. Mickey Harte introduced Cathal McShane on 40 minutes and he immediately made an impact winning a free which he converted. The scores were level 0-09 each after 50 minutes. Morgan then knocked over a 55m free as the Red Hands took the lead. Tyrone lost Peter Harte on 58 minutes through a second yellow card, black cards followed for Jack Barry and Ronan McNamee. Only 26 players were on the field not long after David Clifford was sent off on a second yellow card. Although it appeared he actually done nothing for the second one.

Darren McCurry kicked a sublime sideline but O’Shea pointed in response to leave the minimum between the sides. We were into added time at this stage. Darren McCurry kicked over an excellent point then from a mark which edged the tie in Tyrone’s favour. Tyrone winning but just about on a very wet and windy day in Edendork. McCurry picked up the man of the match award for his excellent performance.

Tyrone: N Morgan (0-04, 4f); N Kelly R McNamee, L Rafferty; T McCann (0-01), R Brennan (0-01), P Harte; C Cavanagh, C Kilpatrick; K McGeary, N Sludden, D McCurry (0-06, 3f, 1 s/l, 1 mark); D Kerr, F Burns, C Meyler (0-01, mark).

Subs: C McShane (0-01, f) for Kerr (40), K Coney for Kelly (47), B McDonnell for Kilpatrick (60), HP McGeary for Burns (68), M Cassidy for McCann (74)

Kerry: S Ryan; J Foley, T Morley, G O’Sullivan; P Murphy, G Crowley, G White; L Kearney, J Barry; M Burns (0-01), S O’Shea (0-06, 5f), S O’Brien; K Spillane, D Clifford (0-06, 2f, 1 mark), P Geaney.

Subs: D Moynihan for O’Brien (42), T O’Sullivan for Spillane (45), D O’Connor for Burns (53), T Walsh for Kearney (67), T Brosnan for White (72)