Kerry...............0-9

Tyrone..........0-9

By Alan Rodgers

ALL doubts being cast on Tyrone's ability recently were clearly addressed at Tralee on Saturday night with a display brimming with commitment which has laid down a marker for their future prospects.

Forecasts of a complete collapse at the hands of the All-Ireland Champions never materialised because of a vastly improved display from the visitors. This was more like the Tyrone needed to make a sustained bid for Sam Maguire Cup glory again this year.

Colm Cavanagh's equalising point earned them a share of the spoils. And, there was drama right to the end of an intriguing tussle as Colm McCullagh received a straight red card just as Tyrone were launching a last gasp attack.

But the eventual result wasn't the main talking point for the couple of hundreds fans who made the long trek south. Instead, it was the level of effort produced throughout the seventy minutes that was in stark contrast to the faults of recent rounds in the competition.

Far greater movement from Tyrone saw them begin in a far more positive mood than has been evident. Right from the start they took the game to Kerry with the type of speed and control sadly missing in the defeats to Cork, Donegal and against Limerick.

Changes to the starting lineup saw Ciaran Gourley, Joe McMahon, Raymond Mulgrew and, most notably, Owen Mulligan come into the team. But all over the field the visitors intended to make their mark and were soon storming forward with purpose.

Team captain, Brian Dooher, worked effectively just in front of a defence in which Justin McMahon, Davy Harte and Conor Gormley impressed, while Ryan Mellon and Joe McMahon held their own at midfield during the opening stages. Up front Niall Gormley, Owen Mulligan and Martin Penrose each showed glimpses of their true ability.

Niall Gormley got them going with a well taken left footed point in the second minute.Moments later Declan Quill came close with a rasping shot that hit the crossbar to further set the scene for an intriguing opening period. From then on the game was played at a feverish pace that saw both teams produce a free-flowing and competitive tussle.

Time and again Justin McMahon, Brian Dooher and Davy Harte raced forward. This speedy attacking was matched by the running of Owen Mulligan, Niall Gormley and Martin Penrose. A point from Colm McCullagh put them two up, although it could have been more.

A partisan attendance of some 10,000 was on hand to cheer on the Kerry men, who also wasted no time in hitting back after that initial Tyrone onslaught. It was tough and uncompromising as Marc, Tomas and Darragh O Se, Bryan Sheehan and Aidan O' Mahony attempted to upset Tyrone's speed.

The threat posed by them was highlighted by several forays forward, one of which resulted in Declan Quill fisting over after receiving a pass from Mike Frank Russell. Indeed, the fact that they were getting in behind the Tyrone defence was causing some worry approaching the end of the first quarter.

There was no let-up in the pace of the match either and Tyrone's desire was emphasised by some great teamwork. Justin McMahon, Owen Mulligan and Martin Penrose were all involved in setting up Raymond Mulgrew to leave them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead by the thirteenth minute.

More importantly, Peter Donnelly, Ryan McMenamin and Conor Gormley were coping admirably with Kerry's physical presence. And, while swapped points between Bryan Sheehan and Joe McMahon kept the issue very much on the boil, it was clear that Mickey Harte had left his players in no doubt about the need to raise the tempo considerably.

It was certainly required as they were caught napping when Seamus Scanlon and Bryan Sheehan brought the sides level. Almost as quickly, though, Niall Gormley latched onto a pass from Mulgrew to edge Tyrone ahead again.

Ryan Mellon and Joe McMahon held their own at midfield, where the breaking balls were quickly gathered up by Brian Dooher, Raymond Mulgrew and Martin Penrose. This in turn created the space for the forwards to utilise and things were looking good as the interval break neared.

Points courtesy of Martin Penrose, Owen Mulligan and Colm McCullagh saw them enter a healthy 0-8 to 0-5 lead. And, they came agonisingly close to extending it still further when Niall Gormley broke free only to see his drive well saved by Diarmuid Murphy in the Kingdom goals.

The Kerry captain, Sheehan, responded to reduce the deficit down to two again as the teams retreated to the dressing-room following an opening period played at a blistering pace. More importantly, the key questions centred on whether Tyrone could maintain this high level on the resumption or if the home team would take control.

The introduction of Paul Galvin at half-time signalled Kerry's desire as things degenerated at the start of the second half. Perhaps it was inevitable that too many stoppages, niggly fouls off the ball and some hard-hitting exchanges would spoil the spectacle.

Nevertheless, few in the attendance were complaining that the tussle remained enthralling despite the problems. While the first half had been free-flowing, the second period saw both teams become engaged in a fierce battle of wits.

The continued good defending of Conor Gormley, Davy Harte and Peter Donnelly was needed to thwart Kerry's advances. And, the ability of players like Martin Penrose, Raymond Mulgrew and Niall Gormley to hold their own in the physical stakes was also notable.

It took twenty minutes before the deadlock at 0-8 to 0-6 was finally broken in that second half. By then the excitement was rising and two points from Declan Quill brought Kerry level and set the scene for a big finish. And, Kerry were in the driving seat for the last five minutes when Tomas O Se raced forward to edge them ahead for the first time at 0-9 to 0-8.

But there were still a few twists and turns in store. Substitute Colm Cavanagh fired over a fine long range effort to bring them level and the closing stages produced numerous opportunities for both teams to get the winner, most notably from Declan Quill for Kerry and Brian Dooher for Tyrone.

And, there was consternation right at the end when Tyrone swept forward only to be called back by the decision to dismiss Colm McCullagh. He became involved in an altercation with Bryan Sheehan around midfield just as a winning point looked possible.

It was the last action in an incident-packed clash which got Tyrone back on track as well as whetting the appetite for more of the same should the sides meet again in high summer with the far higher stakes of All-Ireland glory on their minds.