Kerry end Armagh’s stint as champions with storming second half performance

All-Ireland quarter-final

Kerry 0-32 (0-5-22) Armagh 1-21 (1-4-13)

By Michael McMullan
in Croke Park

ARMAGH lost their hold on the Sam Maguire after losing to Kerry on Sunday in Croke Park.

The champions led by a pointd at half time pushed five up before Kerry took over in every sector to power into a commanding lead and out the gap well before Brendan Cawley’s final whistle.

Darragh McMullen pulled a half goal chance wide early on before Seán O’Shea kicked Kerry three ahead in a lively opening spell.

Grugan, very lively in the first half, and Conaty replied for Armagh as they settled into the pattern of the game.

Armagh cut Kerry open again when Tiernan Kelly blazed over with men either side in support to finish a certain goal.

Kerry again took a hold and went four ahead before a Jarly Óg Burns two-pointer, followed by a Rian O’Neill score had the Armagh fans find their voices again.

A 24th minute goal from Grugan shot Armagh ahead for the first time, 1-8 to 0-9. Tiernan Kelly intercepted a Ryan kick-out short inside the 40-metre arc.

Kerry’s response was instant with 0-5 before a Rafferty two point free a second McElroy nosed Armagh into a 1-11 to 0-13 interval lead.

Kerry brought in playmaker Paudie Clifford at half-time but it was McMullen who fisted over to double the Armagh lead.

Kerry nearly had the ball over the bar at the other end when Joe O’Connor hit the top of the crossbar.

Rian O’Neill kicked Armagh into a 1-16 to 0-14 lead after a fruitful five-minute spell but an O’Shea two-pointer, with scores from Paudie Clifford had Kerry back in the game.

David Clifford then landed a two-pointer and the Kingdom were back in front, 0-20 to 1-16, after 45 minutes.

That’s where it started for Kerry and ended for the champions. Joe O’Connor and Kerry’s midfield took over and the men up front did the rest.

Rian O’Neill and Oisin Conaty hit late scores for Armagh but David Clifford and man of the match Sean O’Shea’s combined 1-19 shot Kerry over the finish line with plenty to spare.

The Kingdom now join Donegal, Tyrone and Meath as the search for Sam heads into the final two weeks of action.

Scorers for Kerry: Sean O’Shea 0-12 (3tp, 2f), David Clifford 0-7 (2tp), Gavin White 0-2, Graham O’Sullivan, Joe O’Connor, Micheál Burns, Paudie Clifford, Brian Ó Beaglaoich 0-2 each and Dylan Geaney 0-1

Scorers for Armagh: Rian O’Neill 0-6 (2tp), Oisin Conaty 0-5 (1tp), Rory Grugan 1-1, Ethan Rafferty 0-2tpf, Jarly Óg Burns 0-2tp, Joe McElroy 0-2, Tiernan Kelly, Darragh McMullen and Cian McConville 0-1 each

Kerry: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Gavin White, Tom O’Sullivan; Seán O’Brien, Joe O’Connor; Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Shea, Graham O’Sullivan; David Clifford, Conor Geaney, Dylan Geaney

Subs: Evan Looney for T O’Sullivan (24), Paudie Clifford for C Geaney (HT), Micheál Burns for M O’Shea (50), Dara Moynihan for Burns (temporary sub 56, reversed 57), Killian Spillane for D Geaney (63), Tomás Kennedy for G O’Sullivan (69), Tom Leo O’Sullivan for Casey (temporary sub 69)

Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Óg Burns; Niall Grimley, Ben Crealey; Darragh McMullen, Rory Grugan, Joe McElroy; Oisin Conaty, Andrew Murnin, Rian O’Neill
Subs: Jason Duffy for J Burns (temporary sub 37, reversed 47), Jason Duffy for Grimley (50), Conor Turbitt for McQuillan (50), Aidan Forker for Kelly (53), Cian McConville for Crealey (56), Shane McPartlan for Grugan (66), Callum O’Neill for Murnin (temporary sub 66),

Attendance: 70, 530

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)