TYRONE excited and frustrated their supporters in equal measure before mid-fielder Ciaran Corr deservedly salvaged the equalising point almost four-minutes into added time at Dungannon yesterday.
If possession and not scores decided matches, Tyrone would have taken the National Football League Division One points with consummate ease.
Tyrone were masterly at putting moves together but, more often than not, they over-elaborated, making Kerry's task in averting the danger all that easier.
A one-point lead for Tyrone at half-time, after they had the benefit of a downfield wind, was scant reward for their endeavours throughout the field. "We found it difficult to get the ball into a desired scoring area," said Peter Canavan. He agreed that Tyrone have won matches while not playing as well through the field.
An opportunist Kerry goal by Dara O Cinneide in the 24th minute had an unsettling effect on Tyrone, who were ahead by 0-5 to 0-1 after 22 minutes. O, Cinneide literally came out of the blue and rose head and shoulders above all challengers to knock a high cross from late call-up Jack Ferriter to the net.
Kerry, despite sound midfield work by Seamus Moynihan were struggling desperately to find coordination between defence and attack throughout that first half and a rout seemed in prospect.
But Tyrone failed to hammer home their superiority and missed several chances. Gerard Cavlan was one of their chief culprits. Shortly before half-time with substitute Adrian Cush and Corr outside him available for the pass, he opted to blast the ball from close range at Kerry goalkeeper Dan O'Keeffe. O'Keeffe made a great save but he should have been given no chance.
Moments later Cavlan was sent clear, but from close range he hooked his shot over the bar.
Meanwhile, Kerry's Maurice Fitzgerald was demonstrating the problems a player, even of his potential, can encounter after a long lay-off. He muffed a close free from 25 yards and also kicked a second untypical wide.
Tyrone, who had depended on Peter Canavan - he kicked four points from frees - to bolster their tally, went in at half-time leading by just 0-6 to 1-2.
It was important for Tyrone that the brilliance of centre back Seamus McCallan, corner back Ronan McGarrity and wing backs Paul Donnelly and Brendan Mallon was sustained in the second half.
The Kerry midfield of Dara O Se and Moynihan became more consistent and Kerry half forwards, Bingo Driscoll, Bill O'Shea and O Cinneide, were not obliged to do as much foraging back into defence. In their unselfish efforts, they had too often been caught between defence and attack in the first half. Adrian Cush made an encouraging return when called in to replace Damien Gormley in the first half and Martin Quinn, a substitute for Stephen Lawn, was also involved, in Tyrone's best moves.
Kerry manager Paudi O Se said Tyrone played better football against the wind in the second half but Tyrone's joint manager Art McRory criticised his team for over-use of the pass. "It became so crowded for our forwards and more often than not it was of our own making," he said.
However, everyone had to admire the brilliant attacking skills of Brian Dooher in only his third game for Tyrone.
Kerry substitute James O'Shea had the satisfaction of landing a Kerry equaliser in the last quarter but, again, Fitzgerald squandered the chance of a vital lead point with a free from 30 yards. Fittingly, it was O Cinneide who ultimately put it up to Tyrone to find the equaliser.
