While it was not a huge surprise to see Armagh overcome Kerry in last week’s All-Ireland semi-final, the manner in which Jack O’Connor’s side completely capitulated in the game did come as a shock.
Kerry were in a fantastic position to win the game, leading at halftime and looking like the better side in the second half. However, they were unable to make that count as Kieran McGeeney’s side got a few late scores to send the contest to extra-time. Once we reached that point, there looked like there would only be one winner.
The Munster champions had not really hit their groove for much of the championship, although there was an expectation that they would do so once they reached the latter stages of the All-Ireland.
Unfortunately, that was not the case.
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Philly McMahon Calls For Provincial Change After Kerry Vs Armagh
There was a suggestion that Kerry were pacing themselves throughout this year’s championship, easily overcoming a number of inferior opponents without being all that impressive.
In saying that, they failed to kick into gear on the first occasion that they faced quality opposition. They largely strolled through Munster, before benefitting from a very kind All-Ireland round robin stage draw.
Looking at their performance last weekend, they seemed like a team who were not battle-hardened. That paled in comparison to Armagh, who have faced a number of tough challenges in this year’s championship.
Writing in the Irish Independent, Philly McMahon said that this game was an example of why the provincial system needs a major overhaul.
The notion that Kerry, and Dublin for that matter, get an easy ride to the business stages of the All-Ireland because of the low difficulty level they have in Munster and Leinster is a complete misread.
If anything, it’s holding them back…
There are many, many reasons to get rid of the provincials and this is just the most recent. For the good of the championship, we need to see Kerry and Dublin under pressure far earlier in the season.
The provincial championships certainly look like an increasingly difficult thing to accommodate in the football calendar, with their presence muddying what could otherwise be a streamlined league to championship system.
You get the sense that Kerry would not mind the more level playing field removing them from the schedule would provide.
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