Clifford-led Kerry beat Tyrone to reach All-Ireland final

Tyrone's hopes of landing an All-Ireland title in Malachy O'Rourke's first year in charge were ended by Kerry, who comfortably won Saturday's semi-final 1-20 to 0-17 in the Croke Park heat.

In the latest chapter of an intense and storied rivalry that has delivered numerous classics down the years, David Clifford's 1-9 helped the Kingdom see off the Red Hands and push the Munster heavyweights closer to their 39th Sam Maguire.

Darragh Canavan (0-7) shone for Tyrone, but overcoming Jack O'Connor's side proved too big an ask for the four-time champions, who trailed 1-9 to 0-9 at half-time before fading after the break.

It was another impressive display from Kerry, however, who again dominated the third quarter, hitting nine points without reply after an uninterrupted 14-point sequence to blow away Armagh in the quarter-final a fortnight ago.

"We had a very good second half against Armagh but it was important to back it up," said Clifford.

"We knew we didn't have to get to the heights of the second half against Armagh, but it had to be solid and it was very solid I thought. We have loads to work on, but were delighted to be back in an All-Ireland final."

Kerry, who last won the title in 2022, will face the winners of Sunday's semi-final between Donegal and Meath (16:00 BST) in the showpiece game on 27 July.

Clifford shines in first half

Darragh Caravan (left) offered glimpses of quality for Tyrone, but David Clifford was the star of the show again

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 a left-footed shot from Darren McCurry, who did not register a score before being replaced by Mark Bradley early in the second half.

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 picked up Mike Breen's pass, slipped in between a couple of defenders, side-stepped Niall Morgan and slotted home 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.

Tyrone fade away

Strangely, given the quality of their finishers, Kerry continued to miss goal chances in the second half.

The first came when Paudie Clifford was swarmed by the Tyrone defence, while he again failed to find the net when put through as he fired over.

Then, in quick succession, Joe O'Connor and Dylan Geaney both failed to raise a green flag, with the latter firing the ball across the face of the goal.

It ultimately didn't matter. Despite Darragh Canavan's brilliant start to the second half - a two-pointer and a couple of one-pointers - which brought Tyrone to within one of Kerry, the Ulster side were unable to kick on as Kerry hit nine unanswered points to race off into the distance.

That burst included two from Killian Spillane, who impressed off the bench, and two from Joe O'Connor, who was outstanding in midfield for O'Connor's side.

Tyrone ended the game with the last three scores - including a two-pointer from substitute Ruairi Canavan - but by then their race was run.

And while Tyrone can reflect on an encouraging first year under O'Rourke's watch, Kerry appear to peaking at the right time and will take great confidence from the manner in which they wore down another strong opponent in a big knockout game at Croke Park.

Kerry scorers: D Clifford 1-9 (1 2pt, 4f), S O'Shea 0-3 (2f), J O'Connor, P Clifford, K Spillane (0-2 each), D Geaney, G O'Sullivan (0-1 each)

Tyrone scorers: D Canavan 0-7 (1 2pt, 2f), C Daly, M Donnelly, S O'Donnell, R Canavan (1 2pt) (0-2 each), K McGeary, E McElholm (0-1 each).

Line-ups

Kerry: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Brian O Beaglaioch, Mike Breen, Gavin White (capt); Sean O'Brien, Joe O'Connor; Mark O'Shea, Sean O'Shea, Graham O'Sullivan; David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Killian Spillane for D Geaney (48), Evan Looney for D Casey (58), Tadhg Morley for M Breen (62), Micheal Burns for S O'Brien (63), Tony Brosnan for P Clifford (65).

Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Padraig Hampsey, Niall Devlin; Peter Teague, Ben McDonnell, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy (capt), Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Eoin McElholm, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, Darragh Canavan.

Subs: Michael McKernan for B McDonnell, Mark Bradley for D McCurry (both 48), Peter Harte for C Daly (52), Ruairi Canavan for E McElholm (57), Michael O'Neill for S O'Donnell (67).

isin O'Kane, Aidan Clarke, Michael Rafferty, Frank Burns, Michael McKernan, Ben McDonnell, Michael O'Neill, Conor Meyler, Eoin McElholm, Mark Bradley, Ruairi Canavan.

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)