Allianz FL D2: Tyrone and Kildare divide spoils

Allianz Football League Division Two

Tyrone 2-16 Kildare 1-19

By Francis Mooney at O'Neill's Healy Park

Newly promoted Kildare returned to Division Two in impressive fashion as they fought back with just 14 men to take a point from their league opener at O’Neills Healy Park.

The dismissal of midfielder Brendan Gibbons 10 minutes into the second half threatened to spell Lilywhite demise, but they displayed character and togetherness to close a four points gap in the closing stages.

Brian McLoughlin was the hero with a late two-point leveller, taking his tally to 0-9 for the evening, but the man of the match award went to Tyrone debutant Ethan Jordan, who finished with a 1-9 haul.

First priority for the 2026 season is to regain the Division One status that Tyrone relinquished last year, but this dropped point at home must be seen as an early setback.

Jordan’s league debut got off to a strong start as he claimed 0-5 in the opening quarter, easing the Red Hands two ahead with a two-point free after five minutes.

But Kildare newcomer Eoin Cully was causing problems with his pace, darting through for his second score to keep his side very much in touch.

Jordan’s second orange flag had the home side 0-7 to 0-3 ahead by the end of the opening quarter, with Ciaran Bogue, an All-Ireland Club JFC finalist with Clogher, also on target.

Callum Bolton and Brendan Gibbons asserted themselves in the battle for possession around the middle as the Leinster men closed the gap through Brian McLoughlin.

They took advantage of a wasteful spell by Tyrone to reel off four points, with playmaker Alex Beirne growing into the game.

Beirne (2), McLoughlin and Kevin Feely were all on target as they drew level on 29 minutes.

They took the lead for the first time in first half stoppage time, Darragh Swords finishing to the net from close range following a goalmouth scramble to send the Lilywhites in with a 1-8 to 0-8 lead.

Tyrone wasted no time in trimming the deficit through Jordan and substitute Eoin McElholm, but a trademark Callum Bolton two-pointer restored the three points cushion.

The Red Hands were increasingly effective on the counter-attack, and raided for Cathal Donaghy to send Joe Oguz for a goal, planted clinically in the bottom corner of Cian Burke’s net in the 44^th minute as they eased back in front.

Moments later the Lilywhites suffered a further blow, reduced to 14 men when midfielder Brendan Gibbons received a second yellow card.

Jordan’s evening took another positive turn as he fired over his third two-pointer, but again Kildare were able to find a response, Beirne also raising an orange flag from a long range free.

Kildare continued to hold their own in the middle third, but the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

Darragh Canavan came off the bench to slot over a couple of scores for a four points margin, the almost inevitable precursor to another Lily surge, as McLoughlin grabbed 0-3, bringing them level with a two-pointer with five minutes to play.

But Jordan capped a dream debut by crashing home a goal straight from the kick-out. However it was not enough, with McLoughlin claiming 0-3 down the straight, including a brilliant two-pointer right at the death.

Scorers for Tyrone: E Jordan 1-9 (2 tpf, 1f, 1tp), J Oguz 1-0, D Canavan 0-2, M Conroy (f), C Bogue, R Cassidy, E McElholm 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: D Swords 1-0, B McLoughlin 0-9 (3f, 2 tp), A Beirne 0-5 (1f, 1 tpf) C Bolton (tp), E Cully 0-2 each, K Feely 0-1.

Tyrone: N Morgan; C Quinn, A Clarke, J Clarke; B Cullen, M McKernan, R Cassidy; J Oguz, C Kilpatrick; C Donaghy, C Bogue, C Daly; M Conroy, M Donnelly, E Jordan.

Subs: B Kennedy for Bogue (HT), E McElholm for Conroy (HT), D Canavan for Donaghy (51), F Burns for Cassidy (67).

Kildare: C Burke; L Kelly, P Spillane, R Burke; J Harris, E Lawlor, B Byrne; C Bolton, B Gibbons; B McLoughlin, A Beirne, D Swords; B Loakman, K Feely, E Cully.

Subs: R Sinkey for Swords (HT), C Moran for Harris (65), S Doran for Cully (68).

Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh).