Three key matchups in Kerry v Tyrone's All-Ireland SFC semi-final

With Tom O'Sullivan unavailable for Kerry due to injury, it looks likely that Paul Murphy will pick up Darragh Canavan. 

Pádraig Hampsey stayed as close as possible to David Clifford in the 2023 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Niall Morgan vs the press 

In Tyrone’s review of Kerry’s All-Ireland quarter-final demolition of Armagh, one figure will jump off the screen. An astonishing 0-14 of Kerry’s 0-32 came directly from Ethan Rafferty’s kickouts. Kerry squeezed high and turned the screw with it.

Niall Morgan is a different type of goalkeeper. 

Part of the 2024 All-Ireland champions' downfall was persisting with mid-range restarts when the moment demanded bypassing the press and driving the ball long, as far from danger as possible. In Tyrone’s quarter-final, Morgan sent eight kickouts into Dublin’s half. 

Expect similar here.

Tyrone won’t win them all. But what matters is that when they do lose one, they don’t get punished for it.

David Clifford vs Padraig Hampsey 

The last time David Clifford took on Tyrone in the championship, he had a remarkable eight shots and only scored one. 

Pádraig Hampsey stayed as close as possible and made sure each effort was fired under suffocating pressure. That volume of output has become routine in the new rules.

Despite his inaccuracy, Clifford still produced a jaw-dropping pass prior to Sean O’Shea’s goal in that 2023 clash and created another two points. Such is the scale of his talent that if Tyrone can restrict him to similar numbers this time, it would be considered a massive success.

Darragh Canavan and the Kerry defence 

Over the last number of seasons, Tom O’Sullivan has been far more than an attacking corner-back. He’s been Kerry’s go-to man-marker. His absence will be keenly felt with Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, and Darragh Canavan coming down the tracks.

Jason Foley has already been thrown into a couple of showdowns with McCurry, while Dylan Casey looks likely to pick up Donnelly. That leaves two-time All-Ireland winner Paul Murphy for Darragh Canavan.

The Errigal Ciarán star has yet to hit the heights of 2024, but his form is steadily building. Kerry’s analysts will have clocked that Canavan has only scored two points off his left this season and that he is a master at sitting defenders on their heels with that lightning-fast solo. 

Knowing what’s coming is one thing. Stopping it is another.