A game of two very different halves at Croke Park this evening, as Dublin extended their unbeaten run in the Allianz League and Championship to 31 games.
The Boys in Blue cut it close, but came away from their Allianz League clash against Tyrone at GAA HQ with a draw, thanks to a late late Dean Rock free.
It was a dramatic second half, after a fairly drab opening 35 minutes- the conditions not helping matters, with the heavy rain and blustery wind leading to kicking and passing mistakes from both sides.
Defending deep and counter-attacking, Tyrone raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the 12th minute, but then they suffered a blow, when Tiernan McCann was black carded, for a cynical foul on James McCarthy.
However, playing with the wind in the first half, the Ulstermen more than matched Dublin, and led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.
That could have been a bigger lead for Mickey Harte's men, had it not been for eight first half wides.
©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
The second half was a far more dramatic affair, with the game bursting into life after 39 minutes, when Paul Mannion was hauled down in the square.
However, Dean Rock's resulting penalty was well saved by Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan.
Tyrone hit the net not long after- Aidan McCrory toe-poking the ball past Stephen Cluxton.
Tyrone were reduced to 14-men on 50 minutes, when Mark Bradley was red-carded after a clash with Jonny Cooper.
That sparked the Croker crowd into life- and it got Dublin going as well.
They trailed by 1-6 to 0-4 at that 50 minute mark, but went on to kick 6 of the next 7 points- including 5 points without reply in the last 10 minutes to level the game.
Ciaran Kilkenny and Brian Fenton kicked two stunning scores in that closing period, while Dean Rock kicked the other three points, including the equaliser deep into injury time- his 6th point of the game.
That late free drew the game level, as Dublin continued their 31-game League and Championship unbeaten run, stretching back to March 2015.
There was some worry over James McCarthy, who hobbled off late on with a serious looking injury, however Jim Gavin confirmed afterwards that it was just a "contact injury" and felt it wasn't too serious.
Next up, Dublin make the trip to Donegal in two weeks.
