Kerry manager Jack O’Connor. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Jack O’Connor has named an unchanged Kerry team from the side that saw off Derry for this weekend’s All-Ireland semi-final clash with Armagh at Croke Park.
In an underwhelming game, the Kingdom pulled away down the home stretch to reach the last four and O’Connor, who is looking to lead Kerry into an All-Ireland final for the eighth team, has stuck with the same starting side.
Jason Foley and Tadhg Morley take their usual positions in the heart of the Kerry defence with Morley flanked by Gavin White and Brian Ó Beaglaoich in the half-back line. Joe O’Connor and Diarmuid O’Connor continue their midfield partnership, while Tony Brosnan retains his place in the team and is named in the number ten shirt. David Clifford, Seán O’Shea and Paul Geaney make up the full-forward line.
The likes of Cillian Burke, introduced to good effect against Derry, is held in reserve, along with Adrian and Killian Spillane and the experienced Stephen O’Brien.
This will be the seventh championship meeting between the sides, with Kerry winning four games. Armagh’s only win came in the 2002 All-Ireland final and there was a draw in the 2000 All-Ireland semi-final.
The sides last met in championship in 2006 when Kerry won by 3-15 to 1-13.
Kerry (All-Ireland SFC v Armagh): S Ryan; P Murphy, J Foley, T O’Sullivan; B O Beaglaoich, T Morley, G White; D O’Connor, J O’Connor; T Brosnan, P Clifford, D Moynihan; D Clifford, S O’Shea, P Geaney.
