'How Is That Happening?' – Malachy O'Rourke Frustrated By Crucial Calls In Kerry Defeat

Malachy O'Rourke admitted that Tyrone felt they were on the wrong end of several key decisions as Kerry edged a thrilling All-Ireland quarter-final in Croke Park on Saturday evening.

The defending champions eventually prevailed by 2-25 to 0-27, with a late Armin Heinrich goal putting gloss on the final scoreline after Tyrone had pushed Jack O'Connor's side all the way.

David Clifford starred for Kerry with 1-8, while Dylan Geaney contributed 0-8 and Paudie Clifford added 0-5 in an absorbing contest.

Tyrone, however, will leave Dublin feeling they could easily have been preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final.

Darren McCurry produced a stunning second-half cameo after being introduced after the break, finishing with 0-10, while Ethan Jordan scored 0-4 and Mattie Donnelly and Eoin McElholm contributed 0-3 apiece.

read more: Owen Mulligan Slates Tyrone Defender For Role In David Clifford's Wonder-Goal

After the game, Malachy O'Rourke was visibly frustrated by several decisions that he felt went against his side during the contest.

We felt some of the calls that went against us were really harsh.

Maybe it will look different on the video when we look at it. Marginal calls, they were really hard.

At one stage, the Kerry boys even stopped playing because it seemed so blatant to us.

It is really hard to take in such a tight game that it happened.

I'm not here to blame referees or anything else, but at the same time to us, we seemed to get a very hard deal.

Several incidents left the Tyrone management and supporters frustrated.

Kerry were awarded a 45 that appeared to have gone wide, with Paudie Clifford subsequently converting the chance. Conn Kilpatrick was also unhappy after not being awarded a kickout mark during the second half.

Malachy O'Rourke admitted that the feeling of decisions going against his side became increasingly difficult to ignore as the game wore on.

How is that happening?

Sometimes you have that in your mind before you come down, thinking we are not getting the rub of the green.

You just have to suck it up, but it certainly seemed harsh to me out there.

Despite the disappointment, Tyrone can take plenty of positives from their performance.

McCurry's impact from the bench almost transformed the contest, with the Edendork man repeatedly punishing the Kerry defence after his introduction.

The Ulster side repeatedly found a response whenever Kerry appeared to be pulling away, ensuring the reigning All-Ireland champions never enjoyed any real breathing room until Heinrich's injury-time goal.

Kerry's star forwards once again delivered when required.

David Clifford's 1-8 haul proved decisive, while Dylan Geaney enjoyed one of his most influential displays in green and gold, kicking eight points. Paudie Clifford also played a key role, contributing five points.

Ultimately, however, it was Heinrich's late goal that finally settled an enthralling contest and sent Kerry through to the last four.

For Tyrone, the frustration will centre on what might have been.

Having pushed the All-Ireland champions all the way, Malachy O'Rourke was left to reflect on a handful of moments that he felt swung the game away from his side.

And while he stopped short of directly criticising referee Paddy Neilan, his post-match comments made clear that Tyrone felt they did not receive the breaks required in such a finely balanced contest.