Armagh ready for Kingdom come

ONLY Kerry stand in Armagh's way of making the All-Ireland Final.

Going into the game as underdogs will matter as much to Armagh as the favourites tag will mean to the Kingdom in what will be the Orchards biggest test this season.

It will be physical, not that either side will run into contact but Kerry know how to hurt teams and not only on the scoreboard but one thing this Armagh team won't do is roll over and get their belly tickled.

Derry ran Kerry close before they ran out of steam and the Kingdom can't be as poor again, unless of course Armagh don't let them play. If Kieran McGeeney's men can still be in the contest after Kerry have their first purple patch then they have a great chance on being in the mix in the final quarter, of course Armagh will have to take their chances when their purple patch arrives.

There are still injury problems with Ciaran Mackin and Conor O’Neill both out. On the plus side Oisin 0’Neill, Ethan Rafferty, Paddy Burns, Niall Grimley,Barry McCambridge, Andrew Murnin, Greg McCabe, Tiernan Kelly and Shane McPartlan are all back. The panel is the strongest in quite some time, so strong that the likes of Jarly Og Burns, Stefan Campbell and Cullyhanna’s All-Ireland Intermediate club winners Aidan Nugent, Ross McQuillan and Jason Duffy are unable to nail down a starting place which makes way for a formidable bench that has Armagh the envy of many teams in this respect at the moment.

It seems Armagh are coming good at the right time. Defensively they are sound having only conceded four goals this season, two in the league (Cork)and two in the Ulster championship (Down).

Keeper Blaine Hughes has been excellent and full-back Aaron McKay keeps proving to be a real general. The midfield, so often the weakness has improved significantly with the return of Niall Grimley and the forwards speak for themselves, among the best, if not the best around. Indeed this Armagh team is blessed to have so many scorers from the keeper out.

And their energy and pace allied to their knack of forcing turnovers means attacking football pays handsome difference.

A close audit of their recent championship record makes heartening reading. Out of their last 18 championship games they have lost just one in regulated time, a two-point reverse at the hands of Tyrone last year having played the majority of the game with 14 men. So while the horrible shootout statistic that has wrecked the past couple of seasons for them with regard to the lack of silverware, they’ve at least proven themselves so very difficult to beat.

Kerry has won more All-Ireland’s than the rest put together and many believe that if Armagh can keep the Clifford’s David and Paudie and Sean O’Shea quiet then the job’s half done. But Kerry have plenty of talent thorought the field.

It should be an intriguing battle. Kerry will start favourites which should suit Armagh who have become known as a second half team. It’s imperative, nevertheless, that they don’t leave themselves with too much to do. It’s a game they are more than capable of winning providing they are operating on all cylinders.

Kerry will try and keep Rian O'Neill, Oisin Conaty and Conor Turbitt quiet but Croke Park should suit Armagh's attacking style and Croke Park is where Rian can shine.

Much has been made of Armagh's impact substitutes and in Oisin O'Neill, Aidan Nugent, Jason Duffy, Shane McPartlan, Jarly Og Burns they have match-winners.

There is plenty of Kerry interest in Armagh, Kieran McGeeney's wife Maura is from Kerry, the Kingdom has Tullysaran man Jason McGahan looking after strength and conditioning, while of course Kieran Donaghy has been key to Armagh's journey in recent seasons.

The game will be preceded by the Tailteann Cup Final between Down and Justin McNulty's Laois.

Saturday (July 13) at 5.30pm

All-Ireland Championship semi-final

At Croke Park: Armagh v Kerry.