Clifford hits three goals as Kerry comeback stuns Tyrone

Kerry star David Clifford scored three goals either side of picking up a black card to beat Tyrone in a vital Division One league clash

Kerry came from five points down with 13 players to claim a vital 3-13 to 2-13 win over Tyrone in Sunday's Division One Allianz Football League clash in Pomeroy.

Their returning star forward David Clifford was the Kerry matchwinner with three goals, one in the first half and two either side of picking up a black card in an eventful second half.

With both teams in relegation trouble, Tyrone looked on course to earn a precious win when they led 2-13 to 2-8 with 20 minutes to play.

Darragh Canavan, on as a sub for his first Tyrone appearance of 2025, and Mark Bradley scored goals in the third quarter as the Red Hands stretched their 0-11 to 1-5 interval lead out to five points.

Joe O'Connor picked up a black card for hauling down Canavan as Kerry conceded a penalty, which Bradley kicked into the net at the second attempt.

It was soon followed by a Clifford black card but he came back on to complete his hat-trick with another left-footed shot to beat Niall Morgan.

That drew Kerry level with four minutes to play and with the visitors pressing up on Tyrone's kickouts and the home side unable to get any supply to their dangerous forwards, Kerry controlled the closing stages and tapped over the insurance points.

Tyrone remain second from bottom in Division One with just two points from four games and difficult away games to come against Galway and Donegal.

Just as they did against Derry, Kerry staged a late rally to pick up the points on the road.

Despite losing both homes games so far to Donegal and Dublin, they move into mid-table with four points.

Tyrone could not handle David Clifford in top form in Sunday's league clash in Pomeroy

After such a poor display in Castlebar a week earlier, this was a much-improved performance by Tyrone, at least until the critical final quarter when Kerry took over.

Yet the outcome was still the same and it may turn out to be a damaging defeat in terms of Tyrone's hopes of staying in Division One.

Malachy O'Rourke didn't score in the opening 13 minutes and quickly found themselves four points down with David and Paudie Clifford, Brian O Beaglaoich and Dylan Geaney on target and Eoin McElholm sin-binned for Tyrone.

With a swirling breeze making it difficult to kick into both goals, Michael McKernan and Conn Kilpatrick making light of the elements kicking three two-pointers from play between them.

Darragh Canavan then nailed a two-pointer free to put Tyrone 0-11 to 0-5 ahead before the first of Clifford's goals right on the stroke of half time.

After the interval Niall Morgan made a good save from Clifford, who then struck the crossbar.

Tyrone then broke up the field with Bradley finding Darragh Canavan who drilled the ball high into the net, Tyrone now 1-12 to 1-6 up.

But Clifford was in irresistible form, collecting Paul Geaney delayed pass and drilling home his second.

The black cards for Joe O'Connor and Clifford were far from fatal blows and despite playing against a side with 13 players, Tyrone failed to manage the situation and it was all Kerry in the closing stages with Clifford drilling home a third goal to swing the game decisively their way.