Tyrone midfielder Conn Kilpatrick acknowledged that the 2-25 to 0-27 loss against Kerry in Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final will be difficult to process. While Tyrone performed well, Jack O’Connor’s squad secured their place in the semi-finals, continuing their championship defense.
Kilpatrick expressed frustration with officiating, mirroring the sentiments of manager Malachy O’Rourke, who labeled several calls as excessively harsh. Speaking to BBC Sport NI, Kilpatrick noted that despite their solid performance and belief in their ability to win, certain decisions did not favor his team.
Tyrone’s pursuit of another Sam Maguire trophy is now postponed, leaving Monaghan as the remaining Ulster side in the competition. Reflecting on a challenging season that began with an early Ulster Championship exit to Armagh, Kilpatrick emphasized that his squad remained resilient despite being overlooked by critics. He congratulated Kerry on their victory, expressed disappointment in the narrow margins of the game, and stated his intention to return with the team next year.
