The respective Ulster and Munster minor football champions, Tyrone and Cork, exited the All-Ireland championship at the quarter-final stage in Portlaoise on Saturday.
Kerry pipped Tyrone by 0-8 to 1-4, scoring only twice in the second half through half backs Eddie Healy after 37 minutes and Fionn Murphy’s 45-metre free three minutes from the end.
Cork had no answer to the power and skill of a fine Derry side, who advanced by 0-12 to 0-6 in a one-sided contest.
Tyrone opened the scoring with a Caolan Donnelly palmed goal after seven minutes, but Kerry settled to lead by 0-6 to 1-2 at the interval with captain Cormac Dillon contributing 0-3.
Your complete guide to all the festive sporting action including TV details
Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’
Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024
Pub staff struggled to keep up with giddy Shamrock Rovers fans who enjoyed every moment of Chelsea trip
The sides were level twice before Kerry full forward Donagh O’Sullivan edged his side in front with the closing score of the half.
Goalkeeper Shay O’Meara rescued the Kingdom with a superb save to deny Donnelly a second goal in the 40th minute before Kerry lost Niall Collins to a black card moments later.
They restricted Tyrone to just one score, a Ronan Molly point – their first from play – after 47 minutes and while Donnelly added a second in injury-time, Kerry hung on.
Derry were in full control, hitting the opening three points to lead by 0-5 to 0-2 at the break with Ciarán Chambers starring.
Captain Ruairí Forbes kicked a brilliant point within 10 seconds of the resumption as Derry eased to a semi-final against either Dublin or Galway while Kerry await either Mayo or Kildare.
