Probably the most serious pressure he faced this season in the last ten minutes. And did the Dr Crokes No 1 come through it. Hard running receivers made his job easier, but Murphy never fluffed his lines, even under the most intense duress. Made one key second half block from Eoin McElholm. With Shane Ryan again absent, Kerry need Murphy.

Paul Murphy - 6.5 

The moment Darren McCurry was introduced by Tyrone the Rathmore man was deputed to pick him up but he found the Edendork man hot to handle – then again so did every member of Kerry’s inside defensive line. Will benefit again getting Croke Park minutes into the system. 6 Jason Foley: Loves the hard running duels, invariably comes up trumps with his pace over short and medium distance, also had a go at picking up McCurry in the final ten minutes, without any more success than Murphy, it should be said. Won a key kickout late on too.  

Dylan Casey - 7 

Picked up Mattie Donnelly, and also had a trickly evening in Croke Park. Not that the Stacks man was beaten in many one v ones, but conceding 27 scores isn’t something the Kerry backs will review with any relish. Good outlet in the closing stages for the out ball from his keeper.

Graham O’Sullivan - 7 

Some engine and some effort from the Dromid man. Eventually booked as he ran out of puff, but put his body through the mill in the middle third for the cause, even contesting Tyrone kickouts. Picked up a yellow on the hour.  

Mike Breen - 7

Eventually gave way with a knock but the ball-playing Beaufort man continues to grow into the six jersey, was a standout pillar in the closing stages, and almost effected one brilliant steal, despite being (unfairly) called for a foul. 7 

Gavin White - 7.5

What a thoroughbred. Only pick after a lengthy time out and he was borderline man of the match, with an incredible engine and an innate sense of when to drive hard at the Tyrone defence and when to play keep ball. Smart call to start him.

Mark O’Shea - 6.5

Part of an epic midfield struggle with Conn Kilpatrick, scrapped for his life, got on the wrong side of the referee on a few calls, but did his county some service again. Like so many of his colleagues, will benefit from the two week break after three on the bounce. 

Sean O’Brien - 7

Pulled down some big wins in midfield – one in particular at a stage when his side was taking on water. Had a few really good moments in the top half of the field though didn’t end up putting his name on the scoreboard. 

Joe O’Connor - 7 

A surprise to look at post match notes and see that the Stacks man ended scoreless. Was in advanced and advantageous situations more than once in the second half, failing to capitalise. Did his best work with the ball in the opening period, clear that Tyrone had him tagged.  

Paudie Clifford - 7.5

A marked improvement from the Fossa man. Not only did he claim 0-5, including an opening two-point free, but converted a crucial late 45, controversially awarded it should be said. Also when the fat was in the fire, combined effectively with his brother. 

Diarmuid O’Connor - 5.5

In truth, one the Na Gaeil man will want to put behind him in a hurry. Kicked a point after missing a simple one before, but was careless in possession in key moments, and delayed a goal chance by turning onto his side, when he should have hit with his left. 

David Clifford - 9

Just the 1-8, but even that doesn’t tell the story. This was The Man being the man, down the stretch, fisting over two steadying points when Kerry were tottering on the brink. Also iced the final play by teeing up Armin Heinrich for the goal. Just a blessing. 

Paul Geaney - 7

Has always, will always live and die by the sword. Goes for some stuff that he shouldn’t and they didn’t all come off on Saturday, but got on a lot of ball, kicked three points. If that’s a so-so day… 7 

Dylan Geaney - 9

We have moved from All Star to player of the year territory for the Dingle man with the golden boot. Eight wonderful points, a couple of two point boomers being stellar in execution and critical in their timing. Only replaced by Killian Spillane to get fresh legs in. The form player. 9 

Subs: Sean O’Shea might well be key for Kerry in a fortnight but he badly needed this game time, as his rustiness indicated (6). Still wanted the ball, but it’s not there for the Kenmare man – yet. Evan Looney (6) came in for Paul Murphy but was part of a defence under siege from McCurry. Armin Heinrich (7) popped out of nowhere to slide home the last second goal, Tadhg Morley came in for Mike Breen, Keith Evans came in for Sean O’Brien

Tony Leen

TYRONE

Niall Morgan - 7 

He was involved in some borderline comical scrambles off his line, especially in the first half when he conceded a 45 and took a push from Dylan Geaney. Morgan missed a second-half 45, retained 68% of his kickouts. 2026 was the season the number one returned to form.

Cormac Quinn - 6 

Put yourself in the position of an opposition manager. What would you be happy for David Clifford to score? Is it six points? More?

Consider the game’s opening goal. Gavin White was just able to get his handpass away. Quinn dived for it, but Clifford’s paw was able to knock the ball down first. He took a bounce once he gathered possession and buried a goal in the top corner. He swapped over to Paul Geaney and did well.

Peter Teague - 7 

The shuffle in their full-back line saw the number the number three come out to the half-forward line. He went toe-to-toe with Joe O’Connor.

Joey Clarke - 6 

Started well and it was a big blow to Malachy O’Rourke’s outfit when he had to jog off to get treatment. Michael Rafferty came in and Dylan Geaney thundered into the tie. He was on fire by the time Clarke returned, shaking him off for an awesome two early in the second half.

Michael McKernan - 6 

Plenty good, some bad. He was sent after Paudie Clifford. His first kick to Mattie Donnelly was over-cooked and he conceded a cheap two-point free for a foul on Clifford that the number 11 converted off the deck.

McKernan dropped a shot short soon after but made up for it with a terrific turnover that led to Donnelly’s first-half score. Added a point later on.

Niall Devlin - 7 

A smart defender who executed a brilliant block when David Clifford went for two. That ball dropped short for the Fossa star's first missed shot. He took over as the man-marker from then. Some of his footwork in that left corner was brilliant.

Kieran McGeary - 7 

Hell of a tackle on Paul Geaney when Niall Morgan’s short kickout went wayward. He floated up a lovely two-point score. His running power is terrific. Replaced by Frank Burns on the hour mark.

Brian Kennedy - 6 

At the centre of a heavyweight battle with Mark O’Shea. One bad wide; struggled to get to grips with Kerry’s kickout.

Conn Kilpatrick – 9 

He did so much right in attack. A two-pointer, followed by creating points for Ethan Jordan and Eoin McElholm. One blot on the copy book with the concession of a 50m advancement and cheap two-point free. The Edendork club man took some serious punishment and kept coming back for more.

Seanie O’Donnell - 7 

His running on kickouts was relentless. One point and one wide.

Ronan Cassidy – 6 

Shane Murphy had to race off his line to deny the centre-forward a second-half goal when there were just three points in it.

Ciaran Daly – 6 

He missed an early two-point effort as Tyrone invested heavily in shots from outside the arc. Under the Cusack Stand, he executed a fantastic tackle on Joe O’Connor to force him to overcarry. Taken off for Darren McCurry after 44 minutes.

Eoin McElholm – 7 

Three points, but one could and perhaps should have been a goal. Instead, it clipped the crossbar and just went over.

Mattie Donnelly – 8 

A stalwart. Jason Foley was marking the experienced full-forward. He kicked three points from four shots and kept showing until the end.

Ethan Jordan – 6 

He landed a two-pointer, a free and a regular point. Missed a 45, a two-point free and one other wide.

Subs - 9 

Darren McCurry came on and immediately kicked a two-point into Hill 16. His display from that moment on was magnificent. Ten points is some impact. He alone deserves a 10/10. What more could he do? Ciaran Bogue was lively too.

Maurice Brosnan