Kingdom challenge a step too far for Armagh

By Niall McCoy

HAVING so obviously been weighed down with emotional baggage in their All-Ireland quarter-final win over Roscommon, Armagh’s load should be so much lighter when they come up against Kerry in Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park.

The Orchard County were far from impressive in their 2-12 to 0-12 win over the Rossies, the tag of favourites adding lead to their boots to go along with the weight added by the disappointment of defeats to Galway and Monaghan at the same stage over the last two seasons.

Handling, admittedly on a wet day, was poor and few attacking ventures were knitted together with any real class against opposition that was very limited on the day, clearly tired from exertions over the previous weeks.

Still though they won thanks to goals from Clann Eireann pair Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt and a very good season now has a chance to become excellent if they manage to turn over their formidable opponents this weekend.

To do that though, they will need a massive lift in performance from not only Roscommon, but their previous outing against Galway when they were presented with a way back into the game rather than forcing it themselves.

Two of their key forwards, Rian O’Neill and Rory Grugan, have been playing well in moments rather than across games, and given their undoubted quality, Kieran McGeeney will need those two to hit form quickly this weekend. Andrew Murnin has been playing well, but hasn’t been able to influence recent games as much as he tends to.

The Armagh midfield has looked excellent at times – as Derry found out to their cost – but there’s still an inconsistency there that will be exposed by the partnership of Joe O’Connor and Diarmuid O’Connor who have really started to gel as the season has progressed.

Then there is also the fear that they don’t have an outstanding man-marker at the back, and Kerry are a side that require three potent threats to be shut down – the Clifford brothers and Sean O’Shea.

Much of the focus, of course, will be on what Armagh do to soften the threat of David Clifford in particular.

McCambridge will be handed that job and will be given extra help by Aaron McKay – surely on his way to an All-Star – and between them they’ll try and limit the Fossa man’s threat, given that shutting it down altogether may prove impossible.

Kerry weren’t at their best against Derry last time out, needing the last quarter to finally see out a 0-15 to 0-10 win. It was a stinker of a contest and it’s hard to see Jack O’Connor’s side being as lifeless again.

If that all sounds glum for Armagh, then fear not – there’s plenty of reason to be hopeful.

Chief amongst that is undoubtedly their bench options. Against Roscommon, Stefan Campbell, Oisin O’Neill, Ross McQuillan (blood), Aidan Nugent, Connaire Mackin and Jason Duffy came in at various points during the game. Armagh do not have the best first 15 in Ireland – not even close – but they have a real genuine claim at having the best squad around.

They also have a superb defensive shape in operation this season.

In the league and championship, only Cork – in a dead-rubber – and Down – two fortunate strikes – have managed goals against them. Another shut-out against Kerry and they should be right in the game. Easier said than done, mind you.

That also will depend on how they approach the game.

The general consensus amongst supporters is ‘they may as well give it a go’ but it’s a simplistic notion that ignores that they have been playing a particular brand all season and are unlikely to deviate too far from it.

It’s is often cited as slow and ponderous when it’s more a counter-attacking set-up – and no other team will leave the spaces that Derry did – but with the likes of Tom O’Sullivan and Brian Ó Beaglaioch given license to roam forward, there will be gaps at the back. Their exploitation of such space has to be much sharper compared to the Roscommon game.

What Armagh want here is to be in the game with 15 minutes to go. By that stage, Stefan Campbell and Oisin O’Neill should be on the field with the Cullyhanna trio of Aidan Nugent, Jason Duffy and Ross McQuillan loitering.

If with 55 minutes on the clock and the gap is a few points either way, then Armagh have a huge opportunity to reach a first All-Ireland final since 2003.

The more likely scenario though is that Kerry will just be that bit better throughout and should be relatively comfortable, even if their winning margin doesn’t end up being huge.