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Rate The Tyrone Players
Tyrone helped their case to be remembered as Team of the Decade as they finished strongly to run out four-point winners over a Kerry side who had no answer to the Red Hands hunger, grit and determination. We run the rule over Mickey Harte's men and you can too. Click here to rate the Kerry players.
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1 Pascal McConnell
The death of John Devine's father was hardly the way the Newtonstewart man would have wished to earn his starting spot. However, he did his team-mate proud with his performance. Made a point-blank save from Tommy Walsh in the first half and used his feet to deny Declan O'Sullivan at a crucial stage near the end.
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2 Ryan McMenamin
Love him or hate him, there's no denying he embodies the spirit and never-say-die attitude of this Tyrone side. Didn't get forward as much as he has in previous games, but still played his part in another excellent team performance from the Red Hands. No surprise that he was booked towards the end.
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3 Justin McMahon
There were concerns that he would not be able to cope with Kieran Donaghy's height, but at 6' 4" himself, the Omagh man was never going to be a slouch in the aerial stakes. Showed excellent maturity for a 22-year-old and could cement the number three jersey for many years to come.
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25 Ryan Mellon
A late replacement for Ciaran Gourley, Mellon added his body to a packed midfield. Wasn't a prominent figure on the park but pitched in with a point before making way for Owen Mulligan with 13 minutes left.
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5 Davy Harte
Harte may be a wing-back, but he plays more like a wing-forward such is his propensity to wander up the field. He also managed to angle over a beautiful point in the 11th minute. Picked up a yellow card for a tangle with Bryan Sheehan.
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6 Conor Gormley
Chosen as the man to put the shackles on Colm Cooper. Had a shaky start but restricted the Kerry ace to just three points from play. He played like a man possessed in the closings stages, in a style described as 'manic' in RTÉ commentary.
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7 Philip Jordan
Another wing-back who excels in the opposition's half. No points for the Moy clubman this time, but did his part to keep the Kerry half-forward line looking in the wrong direction.
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8 Collie Holmes
Was taken off at half-time as the ruthless Mickey Harte brought on Kevin Hughes to curb the influence of Darragh Ó Sé under the high ball. Worked hard while he was on and broke up a lot of Kerry play.
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9 Enda McGinley
Has been a pillar of consistency in a Tyrone midfield that has gone from much-maligned to among the very best in the country. Missed an excellent chance to open up a two-point lead with five minutes remaining, but kept his head up and landed a crucial one with a minute left on the clock.
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10 Brian Dooher
By his extremely high standards, 'Superdooher' had a quiet enough game. But the Clan na nGael clubman still came up with the goods when it mattered, scoring two superb points and continuing to work his socks off despite visibly tiring near the end.
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29 Martin Penrose
Started the game at centre-forward ahead of Brian McGuigan, and did just about enough to justify his inclusion. It could be argued, however, that he should have gone for goal instead of taking his point in the 27th minute. Made way for the aforementioned McGuigan in the 51st minute.
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12 Joe McMahon
Tyrone's pre-match changes saw McMahon drop back beside his brother in the full-back line, but the 25-year-old slotted in seamlessly. For some unknown reason, however, his head acted as a lightning rod for high challenges, with both Kieran Donaghy and Tommy Griffin leaving their mark.
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13 Tommy McGuigan
It may not have been pretty, but McGuigan got the crucial finishing touch to score the scrappiest goal seen scored in an All-Ireland final since Dublin's Charlie Redmond slid the ball home in the 1995 decider against Tyrone. The 2001 All-Ireland minor winner missed a routine free before half-time, but that will fade from memory in the wake of this momentous win. Replaced by Colm Cavanagh late on.
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14 Sean Cavanagh
Is full-forward his best position? It's been a source of debate all summer, but it will hardly be discussed widely now that Tyrone are back on top of the pile. Was kept relatively quiet by Tom O'Sullivan, but had much more success when moved out on Aidan O'Mahony and ended up with five brilliant points from play to his credit. One of the main contenders to claim the Player of the Year award.
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15 Colm McCullagh
Has been one of Tyrone's leading lights all season, but had his day cut short with injury in the 25th minute. Managed to convert a free before going off and being replaced by Stephen O'Neill.
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31 Stephen O'Neill
Mickey Harte had more than likley intended to introduce O'Neill late on when his side and their supporters needed a lift, but the early injury sustained by Colm McCullagh forced his hand. In truth, O'Neill never got to the pace of the game but a perfectly-weighted handpass put Kevin Hughes through in the lead-up to the crucial goal.
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21 Kevin Hughes
Came on at half-time to help wrestle midfield dominance away from Kerry and his introduction certainly helped. Indeed, his very first involvement ended with Tommy McGuigan finding the net. Hit a couple of very poor wides but atoned for them with a point in the frantic finish.
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11 Brian McGuigan
Omitted from the starting line-up, McGuigan only ended up getting 20 minutes of action. But that's 20 more minutes than he ever thought he'd get in an All-Ireland final again when he was attempting to overcome an eye injury last year. His bravery for returning to the game at all deserves a medal.
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27 Owen Mulligan
Made an immediate impact off the bench by setting Cavanagh up for one of his points. Showed the less attractive side of his game by diving to try and win a penalty in the closing minutes when it would have been easier for him to handpass a point.
Updated: 21 Sep 2008 22:57
