Canavan class key as Tyrone edge out Kerry in U20 semi

A couple of weeks on from his Ulster final heroics, Ruairi Canavan delivered again for Tyrone with a thrilling display to secure their EirGrid All-Ireland U-20 football final place.

Canavan, son of Red Hands legend Peter and brother of senior All-Ireland winner Darragh, hit Cavan for seven points in the provincial decider and went one better with eight classy scores in Portlaoise to break Kerry's resolve.

Canavan walked away with the Man of the Match award though Ciaran Bogue will go down as the gamebreaker, his 58th minute goal putting Tyrone ahead for the first time and into a lead that Paul Devlin's side didn't relinquish.

Canavan, typically, had a hand in that score too, striking the post with an attempt for a point and looking on as substitute Gavin Potter gobbled up the rebound and fed Bogue to crash the ball home.

There were huge displays too from Eoin Corry and Conor Cush as Tyrone, who have claimed three of the last four Ulster U-20 titles, progressed through to next weekend's final against 2018 champions Kildare at a venue yet to be decided.

Kerry had six points to spare when the counties met at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage of the 2019 minor championship though there was never more than four points between them this time.

It was tight and tense but hugely enjoyable as two classy sides duked it out in perfect conditions, trading blows and points in a riveting back and forth that yielded two black cards; one for Tyrone full-back Brian Conway in the sixth minute and a second for Kerry full-back Alan Dineen in the 41st minute.

Kerry, managed by former county star Declan O'Sullivan, raced three points clear initially thanks to scores from Dylan Geaney, who finished with 1-04, and Kevin Goulding but scores in