Tyrone defender Michael McKernan is unlikely to be fit to face Kerry in Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final, but there’s more positive news on the injury front with regard to defenders Peter Teague and Rory Brennan.
McKernan is back in training, but not yet in full contact, following a shoulder injury sustained in the early stages of the final group game against Cavan at Brewster Park.
Up until that unfortunate incident, he had been the Red Hands’ most consistent performer in 2025, but the knock could be season-ending unless the Ulster men shock an in-form Kingdom side at Croke Park.
“Michael McKernan would be in a rush against time at this stage.
“He got a fairly serious shoulder injury against Cavan and time is running out for Michael,” said coach Colm McCullagh during a media briefing at Garvaghey on Tuesday.
“He’s doing a bit of non-contact stuff. He’s doing a bit of running and stuff but no contact work up to now. He’d be very doubtful.
“He was going really well, Michael. He really was carrying the game to teams and was driving us forward and chipping in with scores and doing well in his defensive duties as well. It’d be a major loss but again, it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step up and we’re going to need that.”
Half back pair Brennan and Teague were forced off in the latter stages of the quarter-final victory over Dublin, but both will be ready for the clash with Jack O’Connor’s men, the first championship meeting of the counties since Kerry’s 2-18 to 0-12 quarter-final win in 2023.
“Those two boys that came off, Peter and Rory, they were minor injuries so they were training shortly after that again.”
Attacker Mark Bradley, who has missed the last two games, is also understood to be fit again and ready to go.
McCullagh, an All-Ireland medallist in 2005 and 2008, insisted that Kerry, who crushed defending champions Armagh to set up this weekend’s clash of fierce rivals, are going in as firm favourites.
“Kerry would be favourites on merit, they’d have shown more than what Tyrone might have shown.
“So that’s the position they’re in, but look here, the bookies don’t always get it right.”
With the U20 and Minor titles already in the bag, Tyrone are going for an All-Ireland treble, a feat only previously achieved by Kerr, but the Dromore St Dympna’s clubman doesn’t believe the success of the under-age sides will place any added pressure on Malachy O’Rourke’s men.
“The boys are really experienced now and focused and looking after their own ship.
“What’s happened previously in Minors and Twenties is great, but I don’t think there’s really much of a relevance in terms of how the seniors are preparing for the semi-final.
“The more successful in the county the better it is for everyone, it creates that wee bit of extra buzz and stuff.
“It was great to see the minors get over the line on Sunday, they really dug themselves out of it when they were four points down. So that’s a great boost for the county in general.”
