All-Ireland SFC Round 3: Kerry overwhelm Armagh
David Clifford of Kerry celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 3 match between Kerry and Armagh at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.
All-Ireland SFC Round 3
Kerry 4-18 Armagh 0-17
By Steve Malone
Deadly Kerry put Armagh to the sword with ease sending a warning to anyone watching that they are ready to defend their All-Ireland title.
It was a 13-point mauling over this year’s Ulster champions where the Kingdom were gifted a goal only a split second before the break before totally owning the second half, with Man of Match David Clifford registering 1-10 and further goals coming from Paul Geaney, Joe O’Connor and substitute Keith Evans.
Armagh’s season is over; they looked lost at sea long before the final whistle and whether this is the end of road or not for any of their players they will have their Ulster medals to keep.
Goals from David Clifford and Paul Geaney was all that separated the teams at half-time, with Armagh pulling their hair out after conceding another goal, seconds before the hooter.
It was a game of contrasting styles, as Kerry went for the jugular moving the ball at pace with slick kick-passing whereas Armagh were more laboured with their approach and failed to turn first half possession into scores and then they never recovered from that sucker-punch second goal as the Kingdom hammered home their authority.
David Clifford’s goal on 12 minutes cancelled out Armagh’s lead and while Jason Duffy, Oisin Conaty, Cian McConville (free) and Conor Turbitt hit back with points, Kerry had the answers with Dylan Geaney and David Clifford on fire. The Orchard were trailing 1-08 to 0-08 but aiming to grab the last score before the half-time hooter sounded, instead, they coughed up possession, Jason Foley floated a pass forward and with keeper Ethan Rafferty in no-man’s land up the pitch, Paul Geeney eased his shot into the net.
That six point lead turned to seven only seconds into the second half and it seemed as if Armagh stayed in the changing room. Marc O’Shea lorded the middle of park winning both kickouts and when Joe O’Connor rifled home Kerry’s third goal on 44 minutes the game was up.
Kerry led 3-13 to 0-09 and there looked no way back for Armagh as the Kingdom crowd cheered for the return of Sean O’Shea from the bench. David Clifford missed his usual tango with Armagh’s usual marker Barry McCambridge (injured) and enjoyed whatever space was afforded him with a scintillating display.
James Foley, Graham O’Sullivan and David Clifford kept the Kerry scoreboard ticking over while keeper Shane Murphy denied Oisin Conaty and Oisin O’Neill certain consolation goals. And at the other end, the Kingdom capped off their dominance with substitute Kieth Evans lashing confidently into the top corner of Rafferty’s goal.
For the second year in a row, Kerry have used Armagh as the touchpaper to light their flame. Can anyone stop them?
Monday’s draw in Silverbridge is unmissable.
Kerry scorers: David Clifford (1-10, 2tp, 1tpf 0-1f), Dylan Geaney (0-05, 1tp), Paul Geaney (1-01), Joe O’Connor (1-00), Keith Evans (1-00), Jason Foley (0-01), Graham O’Sullivan (0-01).
Armagh scorers: Oisin Conaty (0-04, 1tp),Ross McQuillan (0-04), Conor Turbitt (0-02, 0-1f), Jason Duffy (0-02), Andrew Murnin (0-02, 1tpf), Ethan Rafferty (0-02, 1tpf), Cian McConville (0-01, 0-1f).
KERRY: Shane Muphy, Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey, Brian O’Beaglaoigh, Mike Breen, Graham O’Sullivan, Mark O’Shea, Sean O’Brien, Joe O’Connor, Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O’Connor, David Clifford Paul Geaney, Dylan Geaney. Subs: Gavin White for Beaglaioch (51’), Sean O’Shea for P Geaney (53’), Keith Evans for S O’Brien (54’), Evan Looney for P Murphy (60’), Tony Brosnan for M O’Shea (60’), Armin Heinrich for Dylan Casey (64’).
ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty , Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Gareth Murphy, Paddy Burns, Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Og Burns (Oisin O’Neill 46’), Andrew Murnin, Joe McElroy (Tomas McCormack 46’), Cian McConville, Darragh McMullen, Ross McQuillan, Conor Turbitt, Jason Duffy, Oisin Conaty. Subs: Oisin O’Neill for J Burns (46’), Tomas McCormack for McElroy (46’), Callum O’Neill for McConville (52’), Rory Grugan for A McKay (60’), Greg McCabe for Turbitt (64
Referee: David McColdrick (Meath).