Armagh v Kerry

yellowcard · July 14, 2024, 09:52:53 AM

Great performance by Armagh and a lot of men stood up yesterday and came of age. McCambridge who has been great all season changed the course of the game with that goal and his performance on Clifford. Rian showed great leadership throughout and Soupy again produced some magic from the bench.

Once we realised that Kerry aren't that great, we were much the better side from mid way through the second half. This side have showed some character to keep coming back and I hope we can take the final step now in 2 weeks time.

An Watcher · July 14, 2024, 10:41:37 AM

Congratulations to armagh on a fantastic performance. Very similar to Tyrone a few years back.

I don't buy into armagh not having any luck when you look at the provincial draws they've got in recent years.

On yesterday's game I thought Grimley was very good at midfield but haven't heard him mentioned at all? The armagh keeper as well, didn't put a foot wrong all day. Was he injured last year or has he just appeared this year?

David McKeown · July 14, 2024, 10:45:50 AM

A man who I don't think gets enough credit I'd Blaine Hughes who has been excellent all year. Obviously a very different type of player to Ethan and doesn't offer as much in an attacking sense but his distribution, shot stopping and calmness under the high ball have been excellent all year. Even yesterday when Kerry were really pushed up he was able to lead Armagh players into space in the way you would see a QB do in the NFL. Must be a real contender for an All Star this year and for me a big contributor to Armagh's slight improvement this season.

David McKeown · July 14, 2024, 10:47:53 AM

Quote from: An Watcher on July 14, 2024, 10:41:37 AMCongratulations to armagh on a fantastic performance. Very similar to Tyrone a few years back.

I don't buy into armagh not having any luck when you look at the provincial draws they've got in recent years.

On yesterday's game I thought Grimley was very good at midfield but haven't heard him mentioned at all? The armagh keeper as well, didn't put a foot wrong all day. Was he injured last year or has he just appeared this year?

Our posts crossed there. He had opted off the panel following Ethan's emergence and given his personal commitments but was persuaded to come back this year and has been very good

Rossfan · July 14, 2024, 10:48:24 AM

Blaine Hughes was there in 2020 when Armagh folks here were moaning that they had the worst 1 to 4 in the Country🙄

imtommygunn · July 14, 2024, 10:48:50 AM

I would agree on hughes. Last year when Kerry put the squeeze on Derry's kick outs they had no answer and the same for Dublin against Monaghan. Yesterday hughes had an answer to that (yes so did outfield players but he had to go long and find them).

Agreed on grimley too. Maybe kept Armagh in it a bit in the first half.

Armagh18 · July 14, 2024, 10:53:03 AM

Quote from: David McKeown on July 14, 2024, 10:45:50 AMA man who I don't think gets enough credit I'd Blaine Hughes who has been excellent all year. Obviously a very different type of player to Ethan and doesn't offer as much in an attacking sense but his distribution, shot stopping and calmness under the high ball have been excellent all year. Even yesterday when Kerry were really pushed up he was able to lead Armagh players into space in the way you would see a QB do in the NFL. Must be a real contender for an All Star this year and for me a big contributor to Armagh's slight improvement this season.

Blaine, Aaron, Rian, Barry, Turbo all definite all stars for me.

OakLeaf · July 14, 2024, 10:54:15 AM

Well done Armagh. Full of heart.

Mourne Red · July 14, 2024, 10:56:13 AM

Thought Burns was brilliant when he came on yesterday.. Nugent deservedly hooked despite being brought on as a sub, wasn't up to the pace of the game from he came on

Captain Scarlet · July 14, 2024, 11:05:11 AM

It was brilliant being there as a neutral and to see the actual joy in Croke Park. Like eff Kerry, they've won enough and their fans were outnumbered massively.

All the dirty ball won by Armagh too. The worry I had was that Armagh had a lot of big scores and still weren't pulling away, so I thought Kerry would come back at it.

In extra time I looked down and the size of Armagh in the middle third with men who can all move was serious. It really allowed them to push up. Burns looked great coming on and Rian O'Neill was awesome all day in fairness.

Great craic in and around the city afterwards too and Kerry fans seemed to accept time is up.

David McKeown · July 14, 2024, 11:09:32 AM

Quote from: Armagh18 on July 14, 2024, 10:53:03 AM
Quote from: David McKeown on July 14, 2024, 10:45:50 AMA man who I don't think gets enough credit I'd Blaine Hughes who has been excellent all year. Obviously a very different type of player to Ethan and doesn't offer as much in an attacking sense but his distribution, shot stopping and calmness under the high ball have been excellent all year. Even yesterday when Kerry were really pushed up he was able to lead Armagh players into space in the way you would see a QB do in the NFL. Must be a real contender for an All Star this year and for me a big contributor to Armagh's slight improvement this season.
Blaine, Aaron, Rian, Barry, Turbo all definite all stars for me.

I still think Rory Grugan is Armaghs most important player but probably not in the all star conversation. Not sure that Aaron or Rían are definite all stars. Think both have been a little inconsistent this year to be considered shoo ins. Was reading yesterday before the game that nearly all Turbo's scores from play this year have come since the Ulster final. Not a bad time to come into form.

Captain Scarlet · July 14, 2024, 11:34:59 AM

Grugan was amazing linking up and even controlling the pace of the game at times. He covered some anount of ground. Kinda stuff you don't see on TV, selfless runs and making space, etc.

J70 · July 14, 2024, 11:35:39 AM

Rian came up with a couple of massive plays at both ends of the field late in the game. A good final performance and that is what gets All Stars. Turbitt has been outstanding and is nailed on.

Armagh18 · July 14, 2024, 11:51:37 AM

Quote from: David McKeown on July 14, 2024, 11:09:32 AM
Quote from: Armagh18 on July 14, 2024, 10:53:03 AM
Quote from: David McKeown on July 14, 2024, 10:45:50 AMA man who I don't think gets enough credit I'd Blaine Hughes who has been excellent all year. Obviously a very different type of player to Ethan and doesn't offer as much in an attacking sense but his distribution, shot stopping and calmness under the high ball have been excellent all year. Even yesterday when Kerry were really pushed up he was able to lead Armagh players into space in the way you would see a QB do in the NFL. Must be a real contender for an All Star this year and for me a big contributor to Armagh's slight improvement this season.
Blaine, Aaron, Rian, Barry, Turbo all definite all stars for me.

I still think Rory Grugan is Armaghs most important player but probably not in the all star conversation. Not sure that Aaron or Rían are definite all stars. Think both have been a little inconsistent this year to be considered shoo ins. Was reading yesterday before the game that nearly all Turbo's scores from play this year have come since the Ulster final. Not a bad time to come into form.

Yeah Grugan is like a conductor, great player. Funny I think Aaron has been so consistent and underrated for a long time, rewatching bbc earlier and McConville said the same. Rian was super yesterday and against Galway and Derry so he's every chance.

Ghost · July 14, 2024, 11:54:27 AM

Didn't expect Armagh to win yesterday, thought Kerry would shade it but fairplay to Armagh. They played with serious heart throughout.

Kerry looked ragged after the Armagh goal and didn't really have the answers. Thought it interesting that in the 2nd half of normal time (I think) Kerry turned down 2 marks. Both of them were difficult enough chances but you'd have expected Clifford and Sean O'Shea to get them. Both had maybe kept playing before they realised it could be called.