All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Final

Kerry 0-32 Armagh 1-21

Adam Moynihan reports from Croke Park, Dublin

The haters were out in force all week, giddily writing Kerry off.

A busted flush. A spent force. A one-man team.

Afraid of Ulster. Shy of talent. Lacking nous.

No midfield.

No bottle.

No fans.

No chance.

Kerry were the underdogs in this game (perhaps for the first time since 2019) but on this showing it might be a while before they get that billing again.

Jack O'Connor's men roared to a fully deserved eight-point victory against the reigning champions Armagh in Croke Park today, and the heavily scrutinised Kerry crowd roared with them.

Seánie O’Shea blessed all in attendance with a performance for the ages but it would be foolish to focus on any one individual. This was a heroic team performance from 1 to 15 and beyond, one that opens up a world of possibilities for this revitalised group of players.

The signs were there early on that Kerry were out to prove a point, although as promising as they were in certain aspects of their game, they were coughing up far too many goal chances and easy scores.

O’Shea was swinging over beauties to beat the band – he had 0-8 in the first half – but some of his side’s good work was undone in the 29th minute when a poor error from a short kickout allowed Rory Grugan to steal in and bury the ball past Shane Ryan.

That gave Armagh their first lead of the game but O’Shea responded like the leader he is with a brilliant solo effort and a wonderful two-pointer to edge Kerry back out in front.

Dylan Geaney popped over Kerry’s 13th point after some patient build-up play, but Armagh finished the half in the ascendancy with a two-point free from Ethan Rafferty and a score after the hooter by Joe McElroy.

Half-time: Kerry 0-13 Armagh 1-11.

The Orchard County bagged four of the first five scores of the second period – including one two-point free by Rian O’Neill – and the tipsters who backed Armagh to be too strong for a wounded, injury-hit Kerry outfit looked to be on the money.

Few could have sensed what came next. Despite effectively fielding a second-string midfield in Seán O’Brien and Mark O’Shea, the Kingdom completely dismantled Armagh’s kickout, scoring 14 points in 15 devastating minutes. It was vintage stuff from the underdogs as O’Brien and O’Shea came to the fore, complemented by the ever-industrious Joe O’Connor.

Spectacular two-pointers by O’Shea and the human highlight reel David Clifford got the crowd on their feet. This was Kerry football at its electrifying best.

The Munster champions went from five down in the 41st minute to nine up in the 56th. The run ended with Graham O’Sullivan justifying his selection in the forwards by dropping over his second of the day.

When Andrew Murnin’s low goal attempt was deflected narrowly wide by Jason Foley, it really felt like it was going to be Kerry’s day.

The boys in green and gold managed the game cleverly and in a composed fashion from there on, running down the clock with long periods of possession, interrupted only by points by the hugely influential impact sub Micheál Burns and, fittingly, Man of the Match O’Shea.

A royal flush. A coming force. A proper team.

Afraid of no one. Abundant talent. Ample nous.

Strong midfield.

Serious bottle.

Adoring fans.

Every chance.

Who knows what comes next. Another challenge awaits in the All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone. But one thing is clear: the haters don't know ball.

KERRY: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Brian Ó Beaglaoich 0-2, Gavin White 0-2, Tom O’Sullivan; Seán O’Brien, Mark O’Shea; Joe O’Connor 0-2, Seánie O’Shea 0-12 (3 x 2pt, 2f), Graham O’Sullivan 0-2; David Clifford 0-7 (2 x 2pt), Conor Geaney, Dylan Geaney 0-1.

Subs: Evan Looney for Tom O’Sullivan, Paudie Clifford 0-2 for Conor Geaney, Micheál Burns 0-2 for Mark O’Shea, Dara Moynihan for Burns (temp), Killian Spillane for Dylan Geaney, Tomás Kennedy for Graham O’Sullivan, Tom Leo O’Sullivan for Casey (temp).

ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty 0-2 (1 x 2ptf); Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly, Jarlath Óg Burns 0-2 (1 x 2pt); Niall Grimley, Ben Crealey; Darragh McMullan, Rory Grugan 1-0, Joe McElroy 0-2; Oisín Conaty 0-6 (1 x 2pt),  Andrew Murnin, Rian O’Neill 0-6 (1 x 2ptf, 1f).

Subs: Conor Turbitt for Burns (temp), Jason Duffy for Grimley, Turbitt for McQuillan, Aidan Forker for Kelly, Cian McConville for Crealey, Shane McPartlan for Grugan, Callum O’Neill for Murnin.