‘I'd ask people who are knocking the group ‘What have you contributed to Kerry football off the field?'' – Jack O'Connor
Six minutes into the second half of the last of the weekend's All-Ireland quarter-finals, Paudie Clifford, into the action since the break, nipped in to steal a low-flying Armagh kick-out and send play spinning back towards Ethan Rafferty's goal.
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The Irish Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘A Kerry team written off in Croke Park are dangerous' – Jack O'Connor reacts to statement win against Armagh
ON A day when pundits who labelled Kerry a one-man band were given cause to change their tune, Armagh were the ones left to face the music. The Kingdom hit all the right notes during a blistering second half that saw them rack up 0-19 to 2 The 64 year-old was delighted to silence his critics in style 2 Seán O'Shea starred as the Kingdom won 0-32 to 1-21 With their team in the ascendancy at the interval, Armagh fans may have hoped that their 1-11 to 0-13 interval advantage was a good omen. That was the final score last July when Kieran McGeeney led his county to the Sam Maguire for just the second time in their history. Rían O'Neill and Oisín Conaty led the way as the holders pushed their advantage out to five points after the change of ends. However, they failed to score again for more than 15 minutes. All the while, Kerry turned the screw and devoured Armagh's kickout during the most phenomenal of purple patches. Read more on GAA With David Clifford and man of the match Seán O'Shea — who shared 0-17 from play — to the fore, Kerry hit an unanswered 0-14 and Armagh never recovered. 'Geezer' groaned: 'It was just the 15-minute period where Kerry were devastating and we couldn't get our hands on the ball. 'We probably made life difficult for ourselves on top of that, but that's sport. You have to take your hat off when somebody is scoring like that. 'It was just one of those days. You make mistakes and you get punished for them. It's 15 minutes you'd like to forget. We've done it ourselves to other teams. You have to take it on the chin and move on.' Most read in GAA Football It was sweet revenge for Kerry following last year's semi-final defeat. But more importantly for boss Jack O'Connor, it was a display that laughed in the face of the criticism his men have faced since the defeat by Meath a fortnight earlier. O'Connor said: 'A Kerry team written off in Croke Park are dangerous because it just takes a bit of the heat off. 'Lots of fight' - RTE GAA pundits react to Sean O'Shea's 'very interesting' interview after Kerry dethrone Armagh 'It allows them to play with a kind of freedom and abandon. That's what you saw there. "Our mantra this morning was we have to flip the script. The script has been written that Armagh have this game won and we have to flip that script. 'Every breaking ball you win, every turnover you win, every score is a chip off the block and it's a way of flipping that script. We did it block by block.' Despite dealing with an extensive injury list, Kerry stormed into an All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone on the weekend of July 12-13. INJURY 'CRISIS' No part was played at Croker by Paul Geaney, Mike Breen, Tadhg Morley, Diarmuid O'Connor, Tony Brosnan or Barry Dan O'Sullivan. Tom O'Sullivan limped off in the first half and Paudie Clifford was only fit enough to be subbed on at the break. Still, O'Connor acknowledged that his introduction 'gave everybody a lift' and the Fossa man had a big impact as the Munster champions seized control. SILENCING CRITICS In his post-match press briefing, the Kerry gaffer also referenced a mention of Clifford's younger brother David in an article penned by Joe Brolly. He said: 'One of the great motivators in life is trying to prove people wrong. We were being portrayed as a one-man team. 'I saw somebody writing this morning that said the only Kerry player worthy of being called a Kerry player was David Clifford. Now, David is a great player but David will tell you that there was a fair supporting cast there today.' While it was Joe McElroy's point after the hooter that sent Armagh into the break with the most slender of advantages, Kerry were the architects of their own undoing when the pivotal moment of the first half occurred in the 29th minute. THE KINGDOM'S KEEPER Throughout an otherwise excellent performance, Shane Ryan showed his class as he foiled Armagh goal attempts from Tiernan Kelly, Cian McConville and Barry McCambridge. However, the Kerry keeper was punished for a weak kickout by seeing his net rattled by Rory Grugan. As Dylan Casey waited for Ryan's restart to clear the arc, Kelly stole in and fed Grugan to finish emphatically. The score that put Armagh into the lead for the first time in the game was a shot in the arm for a team whose efficiency let them down early on. Among the tally of five wides they hit in the first quarter were a botched goal chance for Darragh McMullan and two-point efforts by O'Neill and Ethan Rafferty. UNEXPECTED HERO Much of the pre-match analysis hinted that Kerry's hopes of dethroning Armagh rested on the shoulders of David Clifford. Yet no man inflicted more damage than O'Shea. The Kenmare man had eight points by the change of ends. The only placed ball in that tally left Kerry leading by 0-7 to 0-3 by the 15th minute. He carried the fight again after the game's only goal, hitting a single and a two-pointer that ensured Armagh's 1-8 to 0-9 lead expired after little over a minute. Thanks to McElroy and a Rafferty two-point free, Armagh were back in front at half-time. And things briefly looked ominous for Kerry as the Ulster men made a promising start to the second half. But as Kerry pressed up, a tidal wave of attacks saw them dismantle an Armagh side who were suddenly in disarray. THE TURNAROUND From 0-14 to 1-16 behind in the 41st minute, Kerry were 0-28 to 1-16 in front by the 56th. Game over. O'Connor explained: 'We just got to grips with the Armagh kickout. That's where we got the stranglehold and we drove on from there. Whatever the boys said to themselves at half-time, they were fierce determined. 'We felt we played well in the first half but gave away a very bad goal that brought Armagh back into it. But we were getting pockets of space to kick scores.' NOT A ONE MAN TEAM On the performance of O'Shea, O'Connor added: 'When that was a game in the first half and halfway through the second half, that man put in some display. "He's just such a genuine young fella and it's just the way he speaks and the way he commands the dressing room. David is a one-off and he's just a massive talent. But Seánie is just a very mature young fella who commands the room and commands the group. 'We missed him more than anyone in the Meath game when he wasn't there. Not alone does he play well himself, he just commands the boys around him. He's the leader on the field. 'Taking nothing away from any of the rest of them, Gavin White or anything, Gavin was fantastic today, but Seánie is on a different level as regards leadership. He's the spiritual leader of that group.' KERRY: S Ryan; D Casey, J Foley, P Murphy; B Ó Beaglaoich 0-2, G White 0-2, T O'Sullivan; S O'Brien, M O'Shea; J O'Connor 0-2, S O'Shea 0-12, 3tp, 2f, G O'Sullivan 0-2, D Clifford 0-7, 2tp, C Geaney, D Geaney 0-1. Subs: E Looney for T O'Sullivan 24 mins, P Clifford 0-2 for C Geaney h-t, M Burns 0-2 for M O'Shea 49, D Moynihan for Burns b-s 55-57, K Spillane for D Geaney 63, T Kennedy for G O'Sullivan 69, TL O'Sullivan for Casey b-s 69-70. ARMAGH: E Rafferty 0-2, 1tpf; P Burns, P McGrane, B McCambridge; R McQuillan, T Kelly 0-1, J Óg Burns 0-2, 1tp; N Grimley, B Crealey; R Grugan 1-0, J McElroy 0-2, O Conaty 0-6, 1tp; D McMullan 0-1, A Murnin, R O'Neill 0-6, 1tpf, 1'45. Subs: J Duffy for J Óg Burns b-s 37-47 mins, Duffy for Grimley 50, C Turbitt for McQuillan 50, A Forker for Kelly 53, C McConville 0-1 for Crealey 56, S McPartlan for Grugan 66, C O'Neill for Murnin b-s 66-70. REFEREE: B Cawley (Kildare).
The 42
43 minutes ago
- The 42
Dessie departs with legacy assured yet Dublin's football future looks stacked with challenges
THE THEME OF personnel departures has been a recurring one in Dessie Farrell's post-match statements throughout 2025. The tone was set in late January after they played Mayo in Croke Park, Farrell sharing the news that it would be 'unlikely' Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey would be involved this season. The following week in Ballybofey, Farrell had another player availability bulletin to deliver, this time revealing that Michael Fitzsimons would not feature. In mid-March, Farrell spoke about John Small being the latest player to move on, although his later u-turn would help soften the blow of the exodus of legends that had begun last November when midfield titans Brian Fenton and James McCarthy retired. There was a symmetry then to the post-match events on Saturday night, Farrell's last press conference of the year contained fresh news of another Dublin figure bowing out. A line was being drawn, not only under Dublin's 2025 campaign, but Farrell's own spell in the managerial hotseat. 'It's just come to a natural end. The overriding feeling for me now is that I will miss the people. Some of the relationships are really important to me. Advertisement 'Some of those lads have been like kids to me, watching them grow up. They're a special group and I'm very, very grateful for them and for all they've given.' After six seasons as senior boss, Farrell stepping down in the wake of the loss to Tyrone was unsurprising. His term was scheduled to run out once Dublin's interest in the championship was over, he had already informed county board chiefs earlier in the year that this would be his last. The emotion in his voice and the warmth in his tone when talking about the Dublin players was also understandable. The relationship stretches back further than when he took the senior post in December 2019, back to the underage development teams he took charge of after his Dublin playing days ended in 2005, to the county minor and U21 teams that he regularly steered to All-Ireland finals. Two decades of involvement forged a deep connection and helped cement Farrell's Dublin legacy. He leaves with five All-Ireland triumphs as a manager – minor (2012), U21 (2014 and 2017), and senior (2020 and 2023). His senior reign may be criticised for not adding more success, but the comparisons with the previous glittering era were always going to look unfavourable. The margins in their semi-final defeats of 2021 and 2022 were wafer-thin. Managing the transition from the trophy-laden Jim Gavin days was going to be difficult for whoever inherited the role of Dublin boss. And managing the shift to the next era after Farrell's departure is another major challenge. It occurs at a time when Dublin's slippage is undeniable. Saturday night was their third championship defeat of the summer, Tyrone joining Meath and Armagh in the list of conquerors. Galway knocked them out at this stage 12 months ago. Throw in the Mayo and Kerry last four victories, and Dublin have been defeated by six different counties in championship over the past five seasons. That's in stark contrast to the run from 2013-19 when Donegal's famous result in 2014 was the only interruption to their dominance. The drain of players has obviously contributed to Dublin's regression, a roll call of some of the greatest players within the county and nationally, who have shifted into retirement. Filling those sizeable voids is not straightforward. Throw in injuries like the one that wrecked Con O'Callaghan's season, at a time when his importance to the Dublin team has never been more pronounced, and the task became harder. Saturday night graphically illustrated Dublin's difficulties and the scale of the challenge facing the next manager. The game was there waiting for them to take a firm grip of it, but they never did. Goal chances were not converted. Cormac Costello was denied by a Niall Morgan save and he sent another shot skidding across the goal. Niall Morgan got another critical touch to tip away a Luke Breathnach pass that was headed for a Dublin team-mate lurking at the back post, waiting to palm to the net By keeping a clean sheet and denying Dublin the oxygen of a goal, the type of moment that has ignited the blue support in Croke Park in the past, Tyrone had taken a significant step to victory. Dublin got two points from their substitutes, but Tyrone doubled that with a four-point tally in the finale. The bench press is no longer there to get Dublin over the line. The patient and methodical attacking play that underpinned Dublin's success for several years does not work to the same extent since the FRC ushered in a new set of rules to transform the game. Two-pointers construct the shape of a game. Tyrone's first three scores on Saturday night saw orange flags raised. They finished with five two-pointers, Dublin had none. They have been consistently outscored in that facet of the game all summer. Look at the some of the weekend's big winners, Donegal fired over three of them on Saturday night, while Kerry got five from their O'Shea-Clifford double act yesterday afternoon. The game has changed and Dublin have not changed at the pace required to match it. Who will take over? Declan Darcy, the right-hand man during Gavin's stewardship, and Ger Brennan, who guided Louth to Leinster glory in memorable fashion last month, are two early contenders that have been suggested. It will be a fascinating appointment. The next manager takes charge at a time when Dublin's production line appears to have slowed. Their last All-Ireland minor title was under Farrell's guidance in 2012, their last U20-21 success also under his watch in 2017. This year Dublin didn't collect either of the provincial underage crowns on offer. Farrell enjoyed brilliant success during his range of roles with Dublin teams. His legacy is assured in that regard. The future for his replacement is stacked with challenges. *****
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kerry v Armagh player ratings as 'different level' leadership hailed
Jack O'Connor hailed Sean O'Shea's "different level" leadership after the Kenmare star kicked Kerry past Armagh and into an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Tyrone in a fortnight. O'Shea hit 12 points at Croke Park in Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final as the Kingdom emphatically avenged last year's defeat in the final four by Kieran McGeeney's men. A stunning 10 of those 12 points came from play, with O'Shea nailing three two pointers - all from play - and not having a single miss from nine shots. Astonishing figures. Beyond a statistician's wildest dreams. What the stats don't show is O'Shea's response after Rory Grugan crashed to the Kerry net on 28 minutes to put Armagh ahead for the first time, after Dylan Casey erred in backed off a Shane Ryan short kickout, which was dribbling out of the arc. Ryan immediately put the ball down and seconds later, up at the other end, O'Shea kicked for one point. Soon afterwards, he launched over a two pointer, meaning he'd effectively wiped out the goal in less than three minutes. Armagh gave O'Shea far too much space, probably preoccupied with closing off David Clifford's goal threat, and he took full advantage, shooting the lights out, while goalkeeper Ryan was superb, making an incredible fingertip save from Tiernan Kelly in the first half. "He's (O'Shea) just such a genuine young fella,' said O'Connor. 'Just the way he speaks and the way he commands the dressing room. David (Clifford) is a one-off and he's just a massive talent. "But Seánie is just a very mature young fella who commands the room and commands the group. 'We missed him more than anyone in the Meath game when he wasn't there. Not alone does he play well himself, he just commands the boys around him. "He's the leader on the field. Taking nothing away from any of the rest of them, Gavin White (Kerry captain) or anything, Gavin was fantastic today, but Seánie is on a different level as regards leadership. He's the spiritual leader of that group. "The game Seán O'Shea had there, when that was a game in the first half and halfway through the second half, that man put in some display.' Paudie Clifford didn't start, but his introduction at half-time was a game changer as he shot two points and handled an amount of ball. Joe O'Connor was immense after moving to midfield after Mark O'Shea went off, and the man who replaced O'Shea, Micheal Burns, was also instrumental in the win. O'Connor and Burns kicked two points from play apiece in the second half, with O'Connor also fielding ball and making big turnovers. At one stage Kerry didn't miss with 11 shots on the bounce. It looked like they might levitate, they were in such a state of flow. And David Clifford, who had been held to one point from play in the first half by Barry McCambridge suddenly came alive after missing a two point effort, to launch over six points - including two two pointers from play - to finish with seven points. It's probably no coincidence that David Clifford started to tick with his older brother on the field. Gavin White was immense too, showing for short kickouts, an area Kerry were far better in than Armagh when it came to the pressure points in the second half. White hit two points from play and his half back colleague, Brian Ó Beaglaoich hit two more Jack O'Connor could hardly have anticipated they would win nine of 10 Armagh kickouts at one point, to set the platform for their flowing attacking play as Ethan Rafferty and his regular targets struggled to gain a foothold in the game. 'David was really good again,' said O'Connor. 'Paudie coming in at half-time. He's a high-calibre player and it just gave everybody a lift. 'Once he got the ball in his hands, you knew he was going to do something with it. It's funny the way things happen. "But we were fairly sure leaving the hotel this morning that we were going to give this a real rattle. 'We just need to steady up now and get our feet back on the ground. It's a big performance and a big Kerry support came up and backed the team, which is great. We love seeing that because a lot of people had us written off during the week. "But obviously the supporters felt there was another kick in the team. They've seen it happen before. 'They saw it happen in 2006. They saw it happen in 2009. Kerry is a proud county and we weren't going to fizzle out of the Championship without a hell of a fight. We saw that fight out there today. "We were fairly sure that the performance above in Tullamore (loss to Meath) was not us. We were missing some key players that day and things just went awry on us and the game slipped away. "Plus, Meath are a good team. They showed that out there (against Galway). I think it was a combination of us not being up to scratch and Meath playing very well and showing the calibre of a team they are. "But we were fairly sure that wasn't the real Kerry. Maybe we were trying to lull ye all into a false sense of whatever. It worked anyway." "I don't think too many people outside the camp saw that performance there. But we were very, very determined. 'There was ferocious determination in the camp that we weren't going to let the season fizzle out after the Meath game. "It may have been difficult for Armagh not to listen to the outside noise where we were being written off and they were being written up." And Kerry did it without Diarmuid O'Connor, Paul Geaney, Mike Breen, Tadhg Morley and Tony Brosnan, while they also lost Tom O'Sullivan after 24 minutes. Armagh never fired, bar the superb Oisin Conaty, who carried the fight with six points from play and might well land an All Star for his heroics this summer. Jarlath Óg Burns was next best and his 10 minutes on the sideline with a blood injury coincided with Kerry's spell of utter dominance. We wondered what Kerry would be like in the open spaces of Croke Park with the new rules in a knockout championship game where they were written off. The answer was emphatic. They already have the League title and the Munster Championship. They'll fancy themselves to add the big one to their already impressive 2025 haul. Ethan RAFFERTY 0-2 (2pf) 6 Paddy BURNS 6 Barry MCCAMBRIDGE 6 Peter MCGRANE 6 Ross MCQUILLAN 5 Tiernan KELLY 0-1 6 Jarlath Og BURNS 0-2 (tp) 7 Niall GRIMLEY 5 Ben CREALEY 5 Darragh MCMULLAN 0-1 6 Rory GRUGAN 1-0 5 Joe MCELROY 0-2 7 Oisin CONATY 0-6 (1tp) 8 Andrew MURNIN 6 Rian O'NEILL 0-6 (1tpf, 1 45) 7 SUBS: Jason Duffy 6 for Grimley 50mins, Conor Turbitt 6 for McQuillan 50mins, Aidan Forker 6 for Kelly 53mins, Cian McConville 6 for Crealey 56mins, Shane McPartlan for Grugan 66mins. Shane RYAN 8 Paul MURPHY 7 Jason FOLEY 7 Dylan CASEY 5 Brian Ó BEAGLAOICH 0-2 8 Gavin WHITE 0-2 8 Tom O'SULLIVAN 6 Seán O'BRIEN 6 Mark O'SHEA 6 Joe O'CONNOR 0-2 8 Seán O'SHEA 0-12 (3tp, 2fs) 9 Graham O'SULLIVAN 0-2 7 David CLIFFORD 0-7 (2tp) 8 Conor GEANEY 5 Dylan GEANEY 0-1 7 SUBS: Evan Looney 6 for T O'Sullivan (inj) 24mins, Paudie Clifford (0-2) 8 for C Geaney ht, Micheál Burns (0-2) 8 for O'Shea 50mins, Killian Spillane for D Geaney 62mins, Tomás Kennedy for G O'Sullivan 69mins.
