Kerry’s deficiencies went far beyond one handling error from their goalkeeper, and too many six-out-of-ten performances pockmarked their collective display
Kerry manager Jack O’Connor and David Clifford walk down the tunnel after Kerry’s defeat in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Armagh at Croke Park. Photo by Sportsfile
© Kerryman
As orange smoked floated down from Hill 16 at the end of this tumultuous All-Ireland semi-final, one could imagine a bare-chested Kieran McGeeney standing among the Armagh players, dropping to one knee and telling them that he loves the smell of napalm in the morning. Then pausing, breathing it in, before adding “…it smells like victory.”
Armagh didn’t carpet-bomb Kerry in Croke Park on Saturday evening, and while they have won this battle of a semi-final, it will be all for nothing if they don’t go and beat Donegal or Armagh in the final in a fortnight. Kerry folk will wish them well in that finale, as much for Kieran Donaghy’s involvement on the Orchard’s sideline as anything, but Saturday’s 1-18 to 1-16 loss sends the Kingdom into a winter of introspection and discontent.
