All-Ireland SFC: Tyrone ‘can beat Kerry’ – Logan

Former Tyrone manager Feargal Logan feels the Red Hands “can beat Kerry” when they meet in Saturday’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final at Croke Park [18:15 BST].

The teams met at the semi-final stage last year with Kerry recording a six-point win before going on to collect their 39th title.

Jack O’Connor’s side suffered defeat by Donegal i n the opening round of this year’s championship, but recovered to score wins over Kildare and Armagh to reach the last eight.

There are signs the defending champions are starting to peak at the right time once again and while they will pose a significant challenge this week, Logan feels Tyrone have the capability of upsetting the odds.

“Kerry have looked bit off-beam [earlier in the season] and that’s a dangerous thing to say about the Kingdom, but I had a feeling earlier in the year, maybe too many dinner dances going on and we’ve all lived that, so I’m not saying it in a pious way,” Logan, who guided Tyrone to the 2021 All-Ireland title alongside Brian Dooher, told BBC Sport NI.

“They have clicked into gear now and have the boy wonder ‘Cliffy’ [David Clifford].

“It’s a big task for Tyrone, but it’s doable.”

While Clifford is a key figure for Kerry, Niall Morgan again proved his worth for Tyrone with the goalkeeper kicking a match-winning two-point free at the death against Mayo in Round 2A.

“I could give you a number of Tyrone men who have been crucial, but Niall has been central to Tyrone for 10-plus years and we see it week-in, week-out,” Logan said.

“He stays in shape and is committed to the cause, so it was brilliant he popped up with the two-pointer the last day.

“Niall also scored from over the halfway line the last time we beat Kerry [2021 All-Ireland semi-final].”

Doubts remain as to the fitness of forward Darragh Canavan.

The Errigal Ciaran suffered a hip flexor injury in Tyrone’s defeat by Armagh in the Ulster Championship and only made a late cameo appearance in the win over Mayo a fortnight ago.

His return to the starting line-up this week is unlikely, but Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke will have a decision to make whether to start Darren McCurry, who scored six points off the bench in the win over Mayo.

“The more headaches the better,” Logan said of that predicament.

“‘Dazzler’ was on fire, danced around them [Mayo defenders] and scored off right and left in an exhibition of point-taking.

“Does that mean you fire him in from the start for 70 minutes with the stop clock? I’m not sure. If it’s worked in the past, a manager’s tendency is to let it run again.”