Peter Canavan grabbed the only goal of the game, and after building up a six points half-time lead, the Red Hands defended superbly in the face of Kerry's inevitable fightback.

Stephen O'Neill celebrated his comeback from injury with six points, four of them from frees, while Cormac McAnallen also came through his first full game of the season with no ill-effects.

Over-elaboration cost Tyrone scores in the opening 20 minutes, during which they managed just one point, from Stephen O'Neill, despite enjoying the lion's share of possession.

By the 16th minute Kerry had opened up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead through Declan Quill, Colm Cooper and Eoin Brosnan.

The Red Hands, with Cormac McAnallen, Brian Dooher and Brian McGuigan combining well in the central area, always looked menacing when driving forward in quick-passing packs.

And but for goalkeeper Declan O'Keefe, with brilliant saves from Owen Mulligan and McGuigan, Kerry would have been in deep trouble.

Peter Canavan's 27th minute goal was somewhat inevitable, it owed much to good fortune.

McAnallen's long range shot came off a post, and the predatory Canavan gathered possession.

His shot was partially blocked, but spun against the crossbar before dropping inside the goal line.

Cavanagh and O'Neill tagged on points for a 1-7 to 0-4 interval lead, but the introduction of Dara Ó Cinneide applied a cutting edge to the Kerry attack.

He knocked over three excellent points, and there were scores from corner backs Mossy Lyons and Marc Ó Se as the home side began to look menacing.

But Brian Dooher's energy never waned, and he was instrumental in turning the tide just when Kerry were gathering momentum.

Conor Gormley, Philip Jordan and Colin Holmes defended solidly, and Sean Cavanagh powered through from distance to fist a point, while Stephen O'Neill steered over three frees.

Canavan, who was well contained by Tomas Ó Se, drifted outfield to shoot a long range point, but with Dara Ó Se fielding majestically, the game swung back in Kerry's favour.

John Crowley, Declan Quill and Seamus Scanlon all hit the target, but this was to be a triumph for teamwork, and Tyrone deservedly held out.

Kerry: D O'Keefe, M O Se (0-1), T O Se, M Lyons (0-1), T O' Sullivan, R MacGearailt, J Sheehan, D O Se, D Daly, L Hassett, E Brosnan (0-2), P Galvin, D Quill (0-3), D O'Sullivan (0-1), C Cooper (0-1). Subs: S Scanlon (0-1) for MacGearailt, D O Cinneide (0-3) for Hassett, A MacGearailt for Daly, J

Crowley (0-1) for Cooper.

Tyrone: P McConnell, R Mc Menamin, C Holmes, M McGee, C Gormley, G Devlin, P Jordan, C McAnallen (0-1), S Cavanagh (0-2), S Mulgrew, B McGuigan, S O'Neill (0-6), B Dooher (0-1), P Canavan (1-2), O Mulligan (0-1). Subs: C Gourley for McGee, E McGinley for Mulgrew, K Hughes for McGuigan.

Referee: P Russell (Tipperary)