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Joe O'Connor and Ben Crealy contest for possession. Leah Scholes/INPHO

As it happened: Kerry v Armagh, All-Ireland SFC semi-final

The first spot in the 2024 All-Ireland final was up for grabs today.

It’s All-Ireland semi-final weekend in the football championship and the first spot in the final is up for grabs today as Kerry and Armagh collide in Croke Park.

Kerry are last year’s finalists while Kieran McGeeney’s side are aiming to return to the title decider for the first time since 2003 when McGeeney was a player on the team.

We’ll have team line-ups for you in the next few moments as we edge towards the 5.30pm throw-in.

Here’s how Armagh have been named to line out:

1. Blaine Hughes (Carrickcruppen)

2. Paddy Burns (Carrickcruppen), 3. Aaron McKay (Dromintee), 4. Peter McGrane (Ballyhegan)

5. Barry McCambridge (Clann Éireann), 6. Tiernan Kelly (Clann Eireann) 7. Aidan Forker (Maghery – capt)

8. Niall Grimley (Madden) 9. Ben Grealey (Maghery)

10. Oisín Conaty (Tir na nÓg), 11. Rian O’Neill (Crossmaglen Rangers), 12. Joe McElroy (Armagh Harps)

13. Rory Grugan (Ballymacnab) 14. Andrew Murnin (St Paul’s) 15. Conor Turbitt (Clann Eireann)

Armagh substitutes:

  • 16. Ethan Rafferty (Grange)
  • 17. Connaire Mackin (Shane O’Neills) 
  • 18. Jason Duffy (St Patrick’s Cullyhanna) 
  • 19. Greg McCabe (Shane O’Neills) 
  • 20. Aidan Nugent (St Patrick’s Cullyhanna)
  • 21. Oisin O’Neill (Crossmaglen)
  • 22. Stefan Campbell (Clan na Gael)
  • 23. Shane McPartland (Clan na Gael)
  • 24. Ross McQuillan (St Patrick’s Cullyhanna)
  • 25. Jarly Óg Burns (Silverbridge)
  • 26. Darragh McMullan (Madden)

Kerry

1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

2. Paul Murphy (Rathmore) 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue) 4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)

5. Brian ÓBeaglaíoch (An Ghaeltacht) 6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe) 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

8. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil) 9. Joe O’Connor (Austin Stacks)

10. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes) 11. Paudie Clifford (Fossa – capt) 12. Dara Moynihan (Spa)

13. David Clifford (Fossa) 14. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare) 15. Paul Geaney (Dingle)

Kerry substitutes: 

  • 16. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
  • 17. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
  • 18. Cillian Burke (Milltown Castlemaine) 
  • 19. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
  • 20. Seán O’Brien (Beaufort)
  • 21. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe)
  • 22. Barry Dan O’Sullivan (Dingle)
  • 23. Killian Spillane (Templenoe)
  • 24. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare Shamrocks)
  • 25. Dylan Geaney (Dingle)
  • 26. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)
  • 27. Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks)
  • 28. Darragh Roche (Glenflesk)

Down have just defeated Laois to become Tailteann Cup champions. Laois summoned a late rally after a brilliant goal from Mark Barry but they ran out of time as Down held on to avenge last year’s defeat in the final.

We’ll have the match report by Paul Keane coming up shortly.

It’s Amhrán na bhfiann time in Croker. Not long to go now!

Throw-In! Kerry v Armagh

1 min: Kerry 0-1 Armagh 0-0

And with just 13 seconds on the clock, Seán O’Shea puts Kerry on the board.

2 mins: Kerry 0-1 Armagh 0-1

Corner-back Peter McGrane levels up the tie as Kerry’s Paul Geaney fouls Aaron McKay while trying to contest a long ball in. Geaney receives a yellow card for the tackle.

3 mins: Kerry 0-1 Armagh 0-1

Well already, this is looking like a much more open game of football. Brian ÓBeaglaíoch tries to break through after some build-up play but Armagh get bodies back to halt him and referee David Gough awards a free out for charging.

4 mins: Kerry 0-1 Armagh 0-1

Rian O’Neill takes an ambitious shot at the posts but it drifts away to give us the first wide of the day. 

David Clifford then gives us the second with one of his trademark booming efforts.

6 mins: Kerry 0-2 Armagh 0-2

Paudie Clifford clips the ball over off his left boot to push Kerry into the lead. Armagh then get a free for a foul doff the ball while Rory Grugan was trying to hold up the ball to allow reinforcements to come in and provide support. 

Conor Turbitt taps it over to tie the game for the second time.

8 mins: Kerry 0-3 Armagh 0-2

Super shot from Tony Brosnan to edge Kerry back in front after receiving a fine pass from Ó Beaglaíoch.

Some lovely football that will please the traditionalists so far. Meanwhile, Aidan Forker forced to overcarry and Kerry win a turnover free.

9 mins: Kerry 0-4 Armagh 0-2

Dara Moynihan slips a pass to Joe O’Connor after some patient play. The ball comes back to Moynihan who swings the ball inside the post.

12 mins: Kerry 0-4 Armagh 0-2

O’Shea kicks Kerry’s second wide of the game. The Kingdom have a slight advantage in the possession stakes in these early stages.

Interestingly, it looks like Kerry manager Jack O’Connor is observing the game from the stand for a different view of the game. Armagh kick the ball into the keeper’s hands and Kerry have another free for a body check on Brosnan.

14 mins: Kerry 0-5 Armagh 0-2

It’s not an easy angle, even if it favours the left-footed kicker, but Clifford manages to split the posts and push Kerry into a three-point lead.

Rian O’Neill is then punished for overcarrying after trying to take on the Kerry defence. Armagh just not getting the breaks yet.

15 mins: Kerry 0-6 Armagh 0-2

Clifford and O’Shea combine with quick hands, and O’Shea kicks the point to extend Kerry’s advantage. It’s almost 10 minutes since Armagh scored. They need something just to settled things again.

17 mins: Kerry 0-6 Armagh 0-3

Oisín Conaty takes a shot at the posts but it goes wayward and a scramble ensues. Conaty gets another go and gets blocked down. The ball spills into the hands of Niall Grimley who gets a much-needed point.

18 mins: Kerry 0-6 Armagh 0-3

Rory Grugan back in the Armagh defence where he turns over the ball. Armagh work a wove which ends in Grugan feeding the ball to Conor Turbitt but his kick comes back off the post.

19 mins: Kerry 0-6 Armagh 0-4

Free for Armagh for a foul on O’Neill. Much better from Armagh to work their way back into the game. They take it short as Grimley powers through to pop the ball over. Two between them now.

21 mins: Kerry 0-6 Armagh 0-5

Rare mistake from Clifford while in possession as Barry McCambridge lunges to steal the ball. A swift Armagh counter-attack ends in a point for O’Neill and that’s three on the bounce for Armagh. 

Back to a one-point game.

23 mins: Kerry 0-7 Armagh 0-5

Paddy Burns commits the foul to give Kerry a free shot at the posts and Clifford makes no mistake. Good response from that phase of good play for Armagh.

23 mins: Kerry 0-7 Armagh 0-5

Conaty is blocked down again as Kerry send the ball into the arms of Clifford who claims the mark. It’s a wayward effort of his right and the umpires are unsure so we’re going to HawkEye.

25 mins: Kerry 0-8 Armagh 0-5

It’s a Tá so Kerry go three points clear. Over to Armagh for a reply.

26 mins: Kerry 0-8 Armagh 0-5

Grugan releases a clever pass to Conaty who concedes possession briefly but Armagh regain control and start some lateral play to try and slow the game down.

28 mins: Kerry 0-8 Armagh 0-6

Another free awarded to Armagh for off the ball action and Turbitt chips it over to put two between them again.

29 mins: Kerry 0-9 Armagh 0-6

Kerry happy to move the ball about on the ’45. Geaney gets caught in two minds and almost loses possession but he kicks it along the ground to Diarmuid O’Connor who launches a big shot at the goals which drops between the posts.

15 points already in this game.

31 mins: Kerry 0-9 Armagh 0-6

SAVE!

Super goalkeeping from Shane Ryan to make his body big and block out a shot from Andrew Murnin. Massive moment there but Armagh have earned two turnovers out the field. They’re still coming at Kerry.

32 mins: Kerry 0-9 Armagh 0-6

Conaty kicks a wide and that’s a bad miss after all that work out the field. They really don’t want to see this gap get much wider as half-time approaches.

33 mins: Kerry 0-9 Armagh 0-6

O’Neill spots the run of Paddy Burns who sets up a shot for Ben Grealey but it’s another wide for Armagh. They need to take these chances.

35 mins: Kerry 0-10 Armagh 0-6

Heavy collision in front of the Armagh posts as Paul Murphy handpasses the ball across to Paul Geaney. He collides with Peter McGrane and both require treatment but they look ok to continue.

Yellow card for McGrane and O’Shea converts the free. Two minutes of added time announced.

37 mins: Kerry 0-10 Armagh 0-6

Good work from Kerry to win a free after an incisive attack from Armagh. O’Neill is penalised for running into Tony Brosnan and that’s another scoring opportunity gone.

Half-Time! Kerry 0-10 Armagh 0-6

Kerry 0-10 Armagh 0-6

So it’s advantage to the Kingdom at the break. That Shane Ryan was certainly crucial but Armagh are still looking to gain a real foothold in this game. Attacks are dwindling out, and their shot selection is poor so far.

They need a strong start in the second half to ensure Kerry don’t stride out of sight.

Interestingly, both sides have just three wides each but Armagh have converted just six scoring opportunities from a possible 15. Kerry have 10 points from 12 efforts.

Second-Half: Kerry 0-10 Armagh 0-6

37 mins: Kerry 0-10 Armagh 0-6

Armagh have made one change for the second half as Stefan Campbell comes in to replace Peter McGrane.

Geaney kicks a wide for Kerry at the other end.

38 mins: Kerry 0-10 Armagh 0-7

Ó Beaglaíoch supplies Kerry’s fifth wide of the game after a lot of build-up play. Armagh then comes up to get the first score of the second half through Aidan Forker.

40 mins: Kerry 0-11 Armagh 0-7

Big goal chance for Kerry there but Tom O’Sullivan decides not to pull the trigger. Instead, he slips the ball back to David Clifford to restore their four-point lead.

42 mins: Kerry 0-11 Armagh 0-7

Another goal chance for Tom O’Sullivan. This time he kicks it wide. It started with a Paudie Clifford block and a brilliant pass down to O’Shea who grabs the ball on the turn and provides the assist for O’Sullivan. That one definitely should have been put in the net.

44 mins: Kerry 0-11 Armagh 0-8

Tiernan Kelly is surrounded and Kerry earn the turnover. But Gough awards a free to Armagh for a pick up off the ground by Paul Murphy.

Grugan scores to keep Armagh breathing down Kerry’s throat.

44 mins: Kerry 0-11 Armagh 0-9

Second point for Forker after Armagh win the Kerry kickout. That could be crucial in turning this game around.

GOAL! Kerry 1-11 Armagh 0-9 (Murphy ’46)

49 mins: Kerry 1-11 Armagh 0-10

That might be the turning point the game. An attempted David Clifford point is punched back into play where Paul Murphy gets a palm to it and the ball bounces into the net.

There’s a brief check to make sure he didn’t accidentally throw it in the net, and the score stands. Turbitt then scores a free.

51 mins: Kerry 1-11 Armagh 0-11

Beautiful shot form O’Neill as he wills the Armagh crowd to get behind them for the final 20 minutes. Murnin did well in that attack to get the pass off to O’Neill and there’s three between them now.

53 mins: Kerry 1-12 Armagh 0-11

Brosnan hits a wide but a ’45 is awarded for a touch off an Armagh hand after the kick is taken. There’s a chorus of boos, but it does nothing to deter O’Shea and Kerry are four in front.

GOAL! Kerry 1-12 Armagh 1-11 (McCambridge ’54)

56 mins: Kerry 1-12 Armagh 1-11

Game on!

Brilliant from McCambridge, who is developing a reputation for getting important goals for Armagh. He responds brilliantly to the ball spilling out of Shane Ryan’s hands from a long ball in. McCambridge gets the vital touch to put it into the net.

59 mins: Kerry 1-12 Armagh 1-11

Ball into Andrew Murnin but he loses his footing under ferocious pressure from Gavin White. There’s a free for Kerry as O’Neill receives a yellow card.

The benches are being emptied now as we head for the final 10 minutes.

61 mins: Kerry 1-13 Armagh 1-11

Kerry work the ball around the Armagh defence. Very composed as Armagh wait patiently. O’Shea gives the ball to Paudie Clifford for the strike and there’s two between them.

62 mins: Kerry 1-13 Armagh 1-12

Stefan Campbell reduces the difference to one. 

64 mins: Kerry 1-13 Armagh 1-12

Paul Murphy sends the ball wide after another lengthy attack. Now it’s Armagh’s turn to hold possession and see what they can create.

65 mins: Kerry 1-13 Armagh 1-13

LEVEL!!

Campbell shoots on sight to get his second point of the game, and crucially, the equaliser.

66 mins: Kerry 1-13 Armagh 1-14

Armagh lead!!

O’Neill from way down town with a monstrous kick. It came from a hop ball and now it’s Kerry who are on the back foot. What a comeback from Kieran McGeeney’s team.

67 mins: Kerry 1-13 Armagh 1-14

Brilliant from Armagh sub Jason Duffy to intercept the ball. They start the counter quickly but it’s a bad wide at the end of it from Oisín O’Neill.

On we go with a Kerry attack.

68 mins: Kerry 1-13 Armagh 1-14

Armagh turn the ball over for the second time in-a-row in their own defence and they’re playing keep ball. The amount of added time could be huge here.

70 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14

LEVEL AGAIN!

Dylan Geaney steps up with the score Kerry desperately needed.

Four minutes of added time begin.

71 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14

Armagh are working laterally to plan their move. Goalkeeper Blaine Hughes is up helping out with the play.

72 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14

Kerry win the ball back!

Now they’re going to play Armagh at their own game as we head for the final minute.

73 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14

And it’s a wide by Dylan Geaney. Are we heading for extra-time?

Full-Time: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14 (Extra-Time Required)

70 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14

And away we go for the first period of extra-time!

70 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14

Aidan Nugent takes a mark for Armagh but he fails to give Armagh the lead.

71 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-14

Kerry respond with a wide from full-back Jason Foley. And he looks like he’s struggling a bit, most likely with cramp.

72 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

Jarlath Óg Burns has his radar on to put Armagh in front with a brilliant score. Meanwhile, Tom O’Sullivan is getting some treatment.

73 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

O’Sullivan looks like it’s a head injury and he’s coming off with the medical staff. Dylan Casey comes on in his place.

75 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

Bad wide from O’Shea. He tried a slice shot off the outside of the boot but he just didn’t catch it right with the execution.

Blaine Hughes appears to be venturing out of the Armagh goal a bit more in this game now. Campbell wins a free – what an impact he has had since coming on!

76 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

Possible goal chance there for Armagh but they spoil it with too many handpasses and Kerry retrieve the ball.

78 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

Tom O’Sullivan is back on as Foley makes way.

80 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

Dylan Casey tries to handpass the ball over the bar but it falls short into the net, which of course, won’t count.

80 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

Two minutes of added time to come.

81 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-15

Niall Grimley intercepts the ball and Armagh look to finish strong with a superb curling effort from Oisín O’Neill but HawkEye rules it out as a wide. The difference stays at one.

83 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-16

Great point from Conor Turbitt. And this time it’s straight and true. Armagh lead by two.

Half-Time of Extra-Time: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-16

Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-16

Lots of rubs being administered as cramp starts to take hold. Have Kerry any more juice to give? Or will Armagh finish this out?

Second Half of Extra-Time: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-16

80 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-16

David Clifford tries a speculative effort but it doesn’t have anywhere near enough distance or accuracy. Armagh win the break, but Kerry turn it over and come hunting again.

83 mins: Kerry 1-14 Armagh 1-17

Paudie Clifford then tries to engineer a shot at goal. It’s a good drive through but he kicks the ball under pressure and falls into the hands of the keeper.

Armagh work it up and Ross McQuillan finds the target. They lead by three.

84 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-17

Cillian Burke and Paudie Clifford kick two quick points, the second coming from a hop ball.

84 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-17

Super catch from Turbitt to gather the Armagh kickout. The ball finds Campbell but he hits it wide.

86 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-17

Hughes finds Jarly Óg Burns with a well placed kickout. He claims the mark and Armagh will look to build.

87 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-17

Burns gets on the end of the move and tries to boot it over but it’s a poor effort and that’s a bad wide for Armagh.

The next Kerry attack ends in a wide for Burke.

88 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-17

Referee decides to throw in the ball after a ruck forms following a heavy challenge on Campbell. Kerry win possession.

89 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-17

Kerry need to work a score here.

90 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-18

The shot falls short. Armagh come back down the field and Turbitt palms it over the bar.

Is this Armagh’s day?

91 mins: Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-18

One minute of added time

Full-Time! Kerry 1-16 Armagh 1-18

Armagh 1-18 Kerry 1-16

What a result for Armagh!

Unbelievable stuff as they return to the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2003. 21 long years, and they had a mountain to climb after falling four points behind at half-time.

Armagh 1-18 Kerry 1-16

Rian O’Neill, who made a match-winning catch on the Armagh goal-line at the death, is addressing the nation on RTÉ now.

Armagh 1-18 Kerry 1-16

So, now we know the identity of one of this year’s All-Ireland finalists. Either Donegal or Galway, who meet tomorrow, will join them.

Well that’s all from us, folks. We hope you enjoyed the coverage today. We look forward to having you with us again soon.

Good luck!

Author
Sinead Farrell
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