Armagh v Kerry

[Armagh18]

Francie Bellew, a once in a generation player?
Would anyone else pick him in a top 3 players of that generation?
Marsden, J McEntee, McGeeney and Clarke would be ahead of him imo.

A cult hero. McConville and McDonnell better than any of the boys you mentioned bar Geezer too

[SouthDublinBro]

From the belfast telegraph

Armagh fans should realise just how lucky they are to have Kieran McGeeney

This article is a bit of a stretch. Who have Armagh actually beaten outside of Ulster in the championship so far? Beating Roscommon in Croker isn't impressive in the slightest. If Kerry put them to the sword, the knives will rightly be out for McGeeney again.

[statto]

From the belfast telegraph

Armagh fans should realise just how lucky they are to have Kieran McGeeney

This article is a bit of a stretch. Who have Armagh actually beaten outside of Ulster in the championship so far? Beating Roscommon in Croker isn't impressive in the slightest. If Kerry put them to the sword, the knives will rightly be out for McGeeney again.

They have only played Galway and Roscommon outside of Ulster in the championship which can't be helped and unbeaten in those games.mcgeeney gets very little credit for what he does right and alot of criticism for what he does wrong.in the Roscommon game he got his matchups right shutting down their key men and putting murtagh on the back foot resulting in mc Cambridge kicked 1-2.Conaty on McHugh was another really good matchup which limited mchughs effectiveness.The decision in Celtic Park to play Grimley, o Neill, Crealey round middle and really go after kickout  set platform for the win.  He has also lost a key man in Mackin at 6 and repositioned Kelly there who has more than justified his place in team for me. 

[Rossfan]

Is it true that Armagh have won or drawn 21 of their last 22 Championship games (both Ulster and AI) in playing time,as opposed to shoot outs?

[APM]

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.

I make it 11 wins, 5 draws (4 AET) and one loss in normal time since the ballybofey defeat in the 2022 USFC. Tyrone in the group stages being the only loss.

Is there any team has played in as many drawn games?

[Armagh18]

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.

I make it 11 wins, 5 draws (4 AET) and one loss in normal time since the ballybofey defeat in the 2022 USFC. Tyrone in the group stages being the only loss.

Is there any team has played in as many drawn games?

Think our biggest defeat in league and championship in that time is 3 points as well. We're clearly not a million miles away.

[An Watcher]

I would say mcgeeney tactically is not at the level to take armagh to the next level.  He'll do so much but when the game is in the melting pot I wouldn't be backing him.  So many penalty shoot out defeats is not bad luck, it's poor decision making on the line, in games they should have won.  Different if they're losing penalty shoot outs to dublin or kerry

[Armagh18]

I would say mcgeeney tactically is not at the level to take armagh to the next level.  He'll do so much but when the game is in the melting pot I wouldn't be backing him.  So many penalty shoot out defeats is not bad luck, it's poor decision making on the line, in games they should have won.  Different if they're losing penalty shoot outs to dublin or kerry

Think most of them games were lost by individual mistakes. Galway and Derry game there were chsnces for boys to win the game with a goal but they took the easy option of a handy point. Derry and Donegal games Grugan and TK and others missed handy enough chances you'r expect them to score.

Agree on Monaghan, honestly wanted him gone after that felt we set up cowardly against a very beatable side and allowed them to drag it to a shitty tight game which suited them.

Think between Geezer and the calibre of help he has there should be enough know how to set up tactically. Gilligan seems to be shrewd enough.

[armaghniac]

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.

I make it 11 wins, 5 draws (4 AET) and one loss in normal time since the ballybofey defeat in the 2022 USFC. Tyrone in the group stages being the only loss.

Is there any team has played in as many drawn games?

Think our biggest defeat in league and championship in that time is 3 points as well. We're clearly not a million miles away.

In recent years,Armagh has become relatively consistent, that 2002 Donegal debacle aside. Even when we we lost there wasn't much in it. That holds out the hope of remaining close to Kerry and in such a game you might get a bit of good fortune to get you over the line. 

[Armagh18]

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.

I make it 11 wins, 5 draws (4 AET) and one loss in normal time since the ballybofey defeat in the 2022 USFC. Tyrone in the group stages being the only loss.

Is there any team has played in as many drawn games?

Think our biggest defeat in league and championship in that time is 3 points as well. We're clearly not a million miles away.

In recent years,Armagh has become relatively consistent, that 2002 Donegal debacle aside. Even when we we lost there wasn't much in it. That holds out the hope of remaining close to Kerry and in such a game you might get a bit of good fortune to get you over the line. 

And with our forwards and their defence you would have every chance of nicking a late goal.

[Blowitupref]

From the belfast telegraph

Armagh fans should realise just how lucky they are to have Kieran McGeeney

This article is a bit of a stretch. Who have Armagh actually beaten outside of Ulster in the championship so far? Beating Roscommon in Croker isn't impressive in the slightest. If Kerry put them to the sword, the knives will rightly be out for McGeeney again.

Don't think it's a stretch at all. They are into the last four and got there by topping their group (arguably the hardest group to top) and beat Roscommon who took out Tyrone in Omagh the week before. They only missed out on the last four the last two years on a penalty shootouts. Next year Armagh will play in Div 1 for the 4th time in 5 years. The point of the article is McGeeney from the position where he took on this job he has greatly improved them, they are now competitive top eight side who are well organised and difficult to beat as seen with just one defeat in 70 minutes in the championship since May 2022.

This upcoming semi final will tell us if All Ireland semi final is the ceiling for this Armagh side or can they break through that glass ceiling by overcoming Kerry.

[trueblue1234]

Surely if MH is a busted flush for not beating a Dublin, Kerry in years would we not need to attach the same criteria to KMcG? Until he beats one of the big teams there'll always be questions about how much he really brings to the table.
A beating by Kerry, and I'd still be of the opinion he's lacking to get Armagh over the line,

[Captain Obvious]

Seeking progress was the name of the game for Armagh in this 2024 championship season.  Last weekend was opportunity to see where Armagh was in that regard as last year also topped the group they weren't expected to top.  Monaghan and Roscommon are around the same level and lessons was learnt from last year and progress made.  McGeeney deserves credit for that regardless how the next weekend's All Ireland semi final goes.

[armaghniac]

Surely if MH is a busted flush for not beating a Dublin, Kerry in years would we not need to attach the same criteria to KMcG? Until he beats one of the big teams there'll always be questions about how much he really brings to the table.
A beating by Kerry, and I'd still be of the opinion he's lacking to get Armagh over the line,

There are beatings and beatings. Being beaten by point where otherwise good players had bad wides or silly dispossessions is not really the fault of the manager.

[Armagh18]

Surely if MH is a busted flush for not beating a Dublin, Kerry in years would we not need to attach the same criteria to KMcG? Until he beats one of the big teams there'll always be questions about how much he really brings to the table.
A beating by Kerry, and I'd still be of the opinion he's lacking to get Armagh over the line,

There are beatings and beatings. Being beaten by point where otherwise good players had bad wides or silly dispossessions is not really the fault of the manager.

Only one I'd fault him for set up was Monaghan.