O'Rourke frustrated by 'really, really harsh calls'

Tyrone were heavy underdogs coming into the contest against the side aiming to defend their title.

However, the performance of his players did not come as a surprise to the Red Hands boss.

"It's probably not that much compensation at this stage as we always expect ourselves to come up and put in a big performance," he continued.

"I thought in fairness in the first half we were a bit off. They won too many kick outs and when you give Kerry possessions they'll usually end up in an attack and, more often than not, they'll score.

"So that was the thing that we had to be better on the second half and just in general I just felt all over the field we had to just show more urgency. We did that and it was just disappointing we didn't get anything out of it."

Tyrone were without the services of both Canavan brothers, Ruairi and Darragh, due to injury and, in a game of such fine margins, the impact of both or either player could have helped the Red Hands over the line.

"We weren't picking from a full panel and obviously someone like Darragh or Ruairi there coming in there to freshen up the forward line would be a massive bonus.

"They weren't fit to play. Long term injuries and major injuries so that was a hand we were dealt."