​Kingdom too hot to handle for Armagh in the Killarney sun

​For the second straight year, Kerry were too strong for Armagh, ending their season with a double-digit win on Saturday.

The two sides were closely matched throughout the first half, but a mishap at the back from Armagh allowed Kerry’s Paul Geaney to finish into the back of an empty net with the last kick of the opening period.

That put six between the sides, and Kerry took command of the game from there, dominating the third quarter and never allowing the Orchard County back into the game.

The argument for David Clifford to be declared the ‘Greatest Gaelic Footballer of All-Time’ grows every year, and he was at his dazzling best this past weekend, finishing with 1-10. It seemed as though ever time he got his hands on the ball, he was making his mark on the scoreboard.

He was far from alone in terms of Kerry players who performed at a high level. His corner forward counterpart Dylan Geaney hit 0-5 and picked Clifford out with a clever pass for his first goal.

Mark O’Shea, Sean O’Brien and Joe O’Connor were imperious in the middle, and goalkeeper Shane Murphy pulled off two excellent saves in the second half to thwart any hopes of a comeback.

A dazzling display from the hosts

Armagh started brightly, and hit four of the opening five points, with Ross McQuillan, Jason Duffy, Oisin Conaty and Cian McConville (free) hitting the target after Paul Geaney opened the scoring.

David Clifford made his mark on 12 minutes though, rounding Ethan Rafferty and finishing into the net after a low ball in from Dylan Geaney.

Armagh responded well however, and after Clifford pointed, they retook the lead with scores from Cullyhanna men McQuillan and Jason Duffy.

Kerry rattled off 0-4 with Clifford raising another white flag, before Dylan Geaney hit a one-pointer and a two-pointer. But Armagh continued to stay the course and were only one behind following a Turbitt free and another Conaty point.

The finish to the first half left them with a mountain to climb however, as Clifford nailed a two-point free, before Paul Geaney found the net on the brink of the short whistle to put six between the sides.

Geaney’s goal would have been a particular gut punch for Armagh, as it came on the counter attack after they had brought goalkeeper Rafferty up the field. With the net unguarded, Geaney tried his luck from 45 metres out and found the target.

Kerry picked up from where they left off, with Dylan Geaney pointing before Clifford landed two frees. Turbitt scored at the other end, but when O’Connor rattled the roof of the net to make it 3-11 to 0-9 with 45 minutes gone, it was virtually game over.

Armagh continued to fight, and did land three two-pointers via Rafferty (free), Andrew Murnin and Conaty, but Kerry always kept them at arms’ length, with David Clifford’s two-pointer on 50 minutes the score of the day.

A fourth goal from substitute Keith Evans in the last minute put the icing on the cake for a dominant win.

​MATCH STATS

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley (0-1), Dylan Casey; Brian O Beaglaoich, Mike Breen, Graham O’Sullivan (0-1); Mark O’Shea, Sean O’Brien; Joe O’Connor (1-0), Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O’Sullivan; David Clifford (1-10, 2f, 1tpf, 1tp), Paul Geaney (1-1), Dylan Geaney (0-5, 1tp).

Subs: Gavin White for O Beaglaoich (52), Sean O’Shea for P Geaney (53), Keith Evans (1-0) for O’Brien (56), Tony Brosnan for M O’Shea (61), Armin Heinrich for Casey (65).

Armagh: Ethan Rafferty (0-2, 1tpf); Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Gareth Murphy; Paddy Burns, Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Og Burns; Andrew Murnin (0-2, 1tp), Joe McElroy; Cian McConville (0-1, 1f), Darragh McMullen, Ross McQuillan (0-3); Conor Turbitt (0-2, 1f), Jason Duffy (0-2), Oisin Conaty (0-4, 1tp).

Subs: Oisin O’Neill for J Burns (47), Tomas McCormack for McElroy (47), Callum O’Neill for McConville (52), Rory Grugan for McKay (61), Greg McCabe for Turbitt (65).

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).