Armagh out as 'dangerous animal' Tyrone eye Kerry semi-final

Being the hunted has often led to misery in Gaelic football's new era, but few could have predicted the astonishing manner in which Kerry flipped the script on Armagh in Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park.

Twenty four hours after Monaghan squandered a seven-point lead to lose by six to Donegal, Kerry turned a five-point deficit into a nine-point cushion during a second-half spell of unchecked power that prised Sam Maguire from Armagh's grip.

The key to Kerry triggering Armagh's capitulation was the Orchardmen's kick-out, which many thought would be an integral platform for the holders.

But during the third quarter, Kerry destroyed Armagh in the middle of the field.

Time after time, Ethan Rafferty - whose kicking prowess has been a big weapon for Armagh this year - failed to find his team-mates, leading to a green and gold wave and score.

Galvanised by Paudie Clifford's half-time introduction, Kerry scored 14 unanswered points - including a couple of two-pointers - to effectively kill the contest with 15 minutes to spare.

By the end, Kerry lost just six of their 27 kick-outs, while Armagh only won 20 of their 33. It opened the door for Kerry to score 30 points from play.

In terms of shot conversion, Kerry scored 27 times (32 points in total) from 36 shots, while Armagh scored 18 (24 points in total) from 34 efforts.

Inspired by the irrepressible Seanie O'Shea, who struck 0-12, Kerry showcased a clinical edge while Armagh were left to reflect on chances not taken.

Speaking on The GAA Social, Armagh legend Oisin McConville admitted Kerry's kick-out domination and superior scoring efficiency was central to the Ulster county's unravelling.

"They were very well-coached," the 2002 All-Ireland winner said of Kerry.

"The press on the Armagh kick-out was excellent. If you had asked me before the game what way it would go, I'd have said we would obliterate Kerry's kick-out and they won't make a trick of ours and it worked in reverse.

"That's why they kicked 32 points."

He added: "Ethan was spooked slightly, it was a heavy press, and if you're kicking it to certain places and not winning it, then you're in serious bother. Momentum is a serious thing in this game."

Kerry's win also underscored two more truths about this competition: the Kingdom should never be written off and retaining the Sam Maguire remains a rarity (only Kerry and Dublin have done it in the 21st century).

For Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney, it was a hugely deflating way to conclude his 11th season in charge. And while he was coy about his future - admitting he may be "addicted" to the game - McConville is certain he will remain in for the 2026 campaign.

"He's the best man to be there. He knows these players and has built this whole environment," said McConville, who played alongside McGeeney in the '02 team.

"He's continuously freshened it up and I've no doubt he'll continue to do that personnel-wise. It'll 100% be his call and he'll be there next year, I've no doubt about that."

While Donegal and Meath will square off for a place in the final, there will be much focus on Kerry and Tyrone renewing knockout championship hostilities.

The counties have previously met in the All-Ireland semi-finals four times. They have two wins apiece (Tyrone in 2003 and 2021 and Kerry in 2015 and 2019).

Their last meeting in knockout All-Ireland football was two years ago, in a quarter-final Kerry won 2-18 to 0-12.

And while Jack O'Connor's side will lick their lips at another chance to put an Ulster county to the sword, the Red Hands will not fear another Croke Park tussle with the Kingdom after ending Dublin's involvement in the championship for another year.

"They're a dangerous animal now," McConville said of Tyrone, who are chasing an All-Ireland title in Malachy O'Rourke's first season at the helm.

"The reason being I didn't think they played particularly well at the weekend and still found a way to win and looked as though if that game had kept going, they would have won a lot more convincingly."

Were Tyrone to beat Kerry, it could lead to an all-Ulster All-Ireland final against Donegal.

Jim McGuinness' side will welcome a two-week break after a gruelling period that has seen them play nine times in 12 weeks, with trips to Roscommon and Dublin in two of the past three.

And having started sluggishly against Monaghan, the Ulster champions - like Kerry - moved through the gears in the second half and issued their own statement of intent.

"Donegal tweaked a few things and changed the personnel. If you look at the personnel they brought on, apart from [Jason] McGee in the middle, it was all pace," observed McConville.

"When they started to run at Monaghan, Monaghan had serious problems."

Having fallen to Galway in last year's semi-finals, Donegal will be desperate to atone when they face Meath in two weeks' time.

Donegal may well start the game as favourites, but Meath have been a breath of a fresh air in this year's championship in their first year under Robbie Brennan, who has an All-Ireland Club title with Kilmacud Crokes on his CV.

Their thrilling 2-16 to 2-15 defeat of Galway returns them to the last four for the first time since 2009, and having also claimed the scalps of Dublin and Kerry this year, they cannot be discounted.