Kerry survive the numbers game in Omagh finale

Tyrone 0-17 Kerry 1-14: One was the magic number in Omagh yesterday.

Had Kerry scored one point more, they would today be preparing for a Division 1 semi-final because of the draw in Castlebar. One point less, and they would have suffered the indignity of relegation for the first time since 2002.

The fringes were that flimsy but boiled down, they were mere ifs and buts. Kerry survived with a draw that sent Tyrone down, but they were just as close to dropping through the trap door at the hands of a Harte-less sideline and with a goalkeeper who came out of retirement for this encounter.