Tyrone, who count a win over Donegal in Ballybofey and an All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Dublin in their 2025 highlights, had hoped to emulate their 2021 last-four success over Kerry.
But with Paudie Clifford reinstalled to the starting line-up alongside his in-form brother, this was always going to require a herculean effort from Tyrone.
They certainly give it a good go in the first half. Attacking Kerry keeper Shane Ryan’s kick-outs effectively through the towering midfield partnership of Conn Kilpatrick and Brian Kennedy, the Ulster side scored four unanswered points through Ciaran Daly (two), Darragh Canavan and Kieran McGeary after Seanie O’Shea’s early free.
Tyrone could have scored an early goal too, but Ryan was equal to Darren McCurry’s shot. O’Rourke’s side kept coming forward, and often profited, with youngster Eoin McElholm – a late inclusion prior to throw-in – scoring a lovely point from play before Seanie O’Donnell’s score.
But while Tyrone did well to keep O’Shea – who was outstanding against Armagh – and Paudie Clifford somewhat quiet in the opening half, they could not stop the younger Clifford sibling from lighting up a sun-baked Croke Park.
The five-time All-Star, who tormented old foe Padraig Hampsey throughout, delivered the biggest moment of the first half when he side-stepped Niall Morgan and rolled the ball into the net for his eighth championship goal of the year.
While Kerry consolidated that three-pointer with a Graham O’Sullivan score, they could have been out of sight by half-time had they taken two other goal chances.
But Morgan – later described by David Clifford as an “unbelievable goalie” – thwarted the Kingdom on both occasions, the first seeing him spring forward to intercept Seanie O’Shea’s attempted pass to Joe O’Connor and collide with team-mate Seanie O’Donnell in the process.
