Allianz Football League Division One

Tyrone 2-7 Kildare 0-12

By Orla Bannon at Healy Park

Depleted Tyrone battled their way to a first win of the Allianz Football League season with second-half goals from Conn Kilpatrick and Darren McCurry earning them two vital league points. 

Without four key players who were serving one-match bans after their straight red cards in the defeat by Armagh, Tyrone had their backs to the wall and produced a battling performance to ease their relegation fears. 

In arctic conditions in Healy Park, Kildare led 0-8 to 0-4 at half time with long-range points from Paul Cribbin, Paddy Woodgate, Daniel Flynn and Jimmy Hyland punishing Tyrone’s wastefulness. 

The home side carved out five or six good goal chances and hit the crossbar twice through McCurry and Darragh Canavan, the latter also having a curling shot saved by Mark Donnellan. 

Niall Morgan also saved Tyrone with a point-blank save from Darragh Kirwan three minutes from the end while a late Flynn strike blazed over the bar. 

The game was in the mix right until the end with all three results a definite possibility right until the end of an error-strewn game between two fully committed sides in difficult playing conditions. 

Tyrone’s two second-half goals were pivotal on a windy day when scoring was difficult. 

They rallied in the second half with Kilpatrick’s goal two minutes after the restart setting the tone for a second half when the All-Ireland champions had to show character to get a result. 

Conor McKenna picked up a loose ball, fed it to Canavan who found Kilpatrick at the far post. He cut inside to bury the ball past Donnellan. 

Flynn then hit the upright for Kildare and the game came to the boil in the final quarter. 

McCurry’s goal in the 58th minute, after a good run and pass from Conor Meyler, put Tyrone ahead for the first time since the opening minute of the game. 

Ritchie Donnelly hit an outstanding point from long range to stretch Tyrone’s lead but Kildare were always in the game. 

Goalkeeper Mark Donnellan missed a difficult free in the fifth minute of stoppage time to deny them a share of the spoils and leave Glenn Ryan’s side still searching for their first win in Division One. 

Scorers for Tyrone: Darren McCurry 1-3 (1f), Conn Kilpatrick 1-0, Paul Donaghy 0-2 (1f), Niall Morgan 0-1 (a ‘45’), Richard Donnelly 0-1 each 

Scorers for Kildare: Paddy Woodgate 0-3 (1f), Daniel Flynn 0-3, Paul Cribbin 0-2, Mark Donnellan 0-2 (1f, one ‘45’), Darragh Kirwan, Jimmy Hyland 0-1 each 

Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Munroe, Rory Brennan, Frank Burns; Niall Sludden, Johnny Munroe, Conor Meyler; Padraig McNulty, Conn Kilpatrick; Darragh Canavan, Conor McKenna, Nathan Donnelly; Darren McCurry, Brian Kennedy, Paul Donaghy. 

Subs: Richard Donnelly for McNulty (44), Cathal McShane for McKenna (54), Ben McDonnell for Donaghy (59), Liam Rafferty for Kilpatrick (70).

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Mick O’Grady, Shea Ryan, Ryan Houlihan; Tony Archbold, James Murray, Darragh Ryan; Aaron Masterson, Kevin Flynn; Con Kavanagh, Ben McCormack, Paul Cribbin; Paddy Woodgate, Daniel Flynn, Jimmy Hyland.

Subs: Alex Beirne for Kavanagh (49), Fergal Conway for Cribbin (55), Darragh Kirwan for McCormack (58), Jack Sargent for Ryan (62), David Hyland for Murray (62).

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).