NFL Rd. 6 Kerry v Armagh, Athletic Grounds, March 20th @ 2pm

[peanuts]

Mar 21, 2022 22:20:11 GMT @asprilla said:

Mar 21, 2022 19:10:10 GMT mike70 said:

You have to take a league final, can’t beat competitive games in croke park, the funny thing we shared the last 2 leagues with dublin, but no final played due to covid, the last league final we played was against Mayo in 2019, where we lost a cracking game, we had a lot of young guys pkaying that day, it was an invaluable experience.

Mike we only shared 1 league with dublin and that was last year even though technically we finished ahead of them on scoring difference.

In 2020 we finished 1st 1 point ahead of dublin so we were clear winners that year.

Wasn’t the game against Tyrone last year a league SF and the final wasn’t played because it was too close to championship. How could scoring difference be relevant in that case.

[Deleted]

Mar 21, 2022 22:57:07 GMT peanuts said:

Mar 21, 2022 22:20:11 GMT @asprilla said:

Mike we only shared 1 league with dublin and that was last year even though technically we finished ahead of them on scoring difference.

In 2020 we finished 1st 1 point ahead of dublin so we were clear winners that year.

Wasn’t the game against Tyrone last year a league SF and the final wasn’t played because it was too close to championship. How could scoring difference be relevant in that case.

it was but we finished ahead of dublin on score difference in our group so technically we finished top of the league, hence we were the league champions.

[peanuts]

Mar 21, 2022 23:16:52 GMT @asprilla said:

Mar 21, 2022 22:57:07 GMT peanuts said:

Wasn’t the game against Tyrone last year a league SF and the final wasn’t played because it was too close to championship. How could scoring difference be relevant in that case.

it was but we finished ahead of dublin on score difference in our group so technically we finished top of the league, hence we were the league champions.

Sorry, but that makes no sense.

[royalkerryfan]

Mar 21, 2022 23:21:41 GMT peanuts said:

Mar 21, 2022 23:16:52 GMT @asprilla said:

it was but we finished ahead of dublin on score difference in our group so technically we finished top of the league, hence we were the league champions.

Sorry, but that makes no sense.

The league was made up of 2 groups.

We qualified along with Dublin from our group.

Tyrone and Donegal came out of their group.

The league final didn't go ahead due to the closeness of the championship.

Kingdomboy the league was shared with Dublin simple as that really.

[Deleted]

Mar 21, 2022 23:21:41 GMT peanuts said:

Mar 21, 2022 23:16:52 GMT @asprilla said:

it was but we finished ahead of dublin on score difference in our group so technically we finished top of the league, hence we were the league champions.

Sorry, but that makes no sense.

what doesn't make sense is league finals, if you finish top of the table then you should be the league champion,we finished top of the southern group on scoring difference ahead of dublin, dublin beat Donegal 1:18 to 1:14 and we hammered Tyrone.

If right was right we finished on 7 points a piece but we scored more, so we finished above dublin on scoring difference.

[mike70]

Mar 21, 2022 22:20:11 GMT @asprilla said:

Mar 21, 2022 19:10:10 GMT mike70 said:

You have to take a league final, can’t beat competitive games in croke park, the funny thing we shared the last 2 leagues with dublin, but no final played due to covid, the last league final we played was against Mayo in 2019, where we lost a cracking game, we had a lot of young guys pkaying that day, it was an invaluable experience.

Mike we only shared 1 league with dublin and that was last year even though technically we finished ahead of them on scoring difference.

In 2020 we finished 1st 1 point ahead of dublin so we were clear winners that year.

thanks for clarification , was not too sure, but the point I suppose it’s nice to get a final experience, as happened in 2019, so I think the players will enjoy the build up to the final , always a great experience in croke park

[Deleted]

Mar 22, 2022 0:04:46 GMT mike70 said:

Mar 21, 2022 22:20:11 GMT @asprilla said:

Mike we only shared 1 league with dublin and that was last year even though technically we finished ahead of them on scoring difference.

In 2020 we finished 1st 1 point ahead of dublin so we were clear winners that year.

thanks for clarification , was not too sure, but the point I suppose it’s nice to get a final experience, as happened in 2019, so I think the players will enjoy the build up to the final , always a great experience in croke park

not a bother Mike.

[dano]

I thought Jack Savage played very well apart from a missed tricky angle free.

[Mickmack]

A few observations after watching the recording of the game

At the very start, Paudie, Killian and Tony could have done with more composure and awareness with 3 chances.
Paudie rushed a kick with his weaker right foot in front of the posts and kicked it wide.
Killian rushed a kick with his weaker right foot and sent it wide when a goal chance was there if he has seen teammates in better position.
Tony kicked a wide with his weaker right foot from 40 yards when he had more time to settle himself

Jack kicked a good point from 40 yards on the 7th minute and Paudie followed up with a similar effort with the left
In the 8th minute DOC did a brilliant bit of defensive work to prevent a goal for Armagh
In the 13th minute DOC kicked a great point after a good period of link play. These are the type of scores that Kerry didnt get v Tyrone last year

In the 17th minute Bian oB found himself on the D in front of the pots but like Paudie. Killian and Tony at the very start he rushed it and kicked with his weaker left foot and it went wide
18th minute ...A great fetch from Jack Barry from a SR kickout out sent Stephen oB away for a point
SOB kicked wide in the 23rd minute from a kickable position

In the 34th minute Brian OB scored with the right foot and a good bit of link play which was encouraging
Jack S seems to be dragged back and he reacts by dragging his man who promptly falls to the ground and the linesman deems it a black card offence (which it isnt i feel)

In the 42nd minute a gorgeous footpass from SOB to DC and the goal..the keeper lost his footing it seemed
In the 48th minute Tony kicked wide after a period of about 3 minutes when Kerry played keepball. This is another sign of a bit of cuteness coming into Kerry as the clock needed to be ran down while JS was off.
In the 53rd minute we had a point....a 'DC special'
55th minute JS kicked a nice point in the 55th minute after a long kickout was won

For the next 10 minutes Kerry were all over the place but Armagh didnt have the ability to capitalise. A few clear chances were missed by Armagh. Long kickouts were lost or short ones were to a player who was easily pounced on.
Eventually Jack Savage showed for a kickout and it was worked out of the Kerry half. It was a momentum shifter.
On the 62nd minute we had another DC special for a point

At the very end Kerry had 3 chances to kill the game. Dc kicked wide and kicked another across the goal where Armagh won possession and launched an attack. Kerry tried to cretae a goal chance but Burns was slow to move towards the pass and the keeper dispossed him and it led to that high lobbing ball at the other end that Graham OSullivan won but it could have gone anywhere.

So if Kerry had been a bit more clinical at the very start and the very end they would have made life easier for themselves. Jack Savage offers Kerry more 'head up awareness' than others do which is important against a well organised defense. He will never be a 'defense splitting' runner that will draw fouls.

Of course the elephant in the room in the inability to retain possession from kickouts. JOC and Tally wont need us to tell them that.
This problem was the undoing of Kerry under EF.
Under PK Kerry had a well worked system for short kickouts. Yes it was energy sapping and the opposition defense had plenty of time to organise a phalanx of defenders by the time we got the ball to the half way line. But it was still better than now where we are now as we are not winning enough possession from long ones and the short ones are being pounced on too easily.
If that elephant can be solved then Kerry will be in a very good place. If it isnt solved then Kerry cant win the All ireland in my view.

Of course, the context in which these games are played differs for each team. Armagh meet Donegal in Ballybofey on 24.4.2022. Are they in heavy training for that. Are Kerry in heavy training now?
Galway are due to meeting Mayo on the same weekend i think in the Connaght championship so how is that consideration impacting Mayo.
Dublin looked very good v Donegal but maybe Donegal have one eye on the Ulster championship.

[Fado]

I wouldn't be too hard on the forwards the last day. Armagh set out to close down the space and especially limit the scoring chances of our inside line. Overall, this plan worked reasonably well. Whether it be corner back or corner forward, it doesn't really matter where our scores come from. You can't hold back the tide.

[dc84]

Mar 22, 2022 11:50:52 GMT Fado said:

I wouldn't be too hard on the forwards the last day. Armagh set out to close down the space and especially limit the scoring chances of our inside line. Overall, this plan worked reasonably well. Whether it be corner back or corner forward, it doesn't really matter where our scores come from. You can't hold back the tide.

I actually thought the two boys showed good discipline to stay inside and create space tbh very easy to have come out looking for ball and end up clogging the whole thing up

[Ballyfireside]

Mar 22, 2022 11:02:51 GMT Mickmack said:

A few observations after watching the recording of the game

At the very start, Paudie, Killian and Tony could have done with more composure and awareness with 3 chances.
Paudie rushed a kick with his weaker right foot in front of the posts and kicked it wide.
Killian rushed a kick with his weaker right foot and sent it wide when a goal chance was there if he has seen teammates in better position.
Tony kicked a wide with his weaker right foot from 40 yards when he had more time to settle himself

Jack kicked a good point from 40 yards on the 7th minute and Paudie followed up with a similar effort with the left
In the 8th minute DOC did a brilliant bit of defensive work to prevent a goal for Armagh
In the 13th minute DOC kicked a great point after a good period of link play. These are the type of scores that Kerry didnt get v Tyrone last year

In the 17th minute Bian oB found himself on the D in front of the pots but like Paudie. Killian and Tony at the very start he rushed it and kicked with his weaker left foot and it went wide
18th minute ...A great fetch from Jack Barry from a SR kickout out sent Stephen oB away for a point
SOB kicked wide in the 23rd minute from a kickable position

In the 34th minute Brian OB scored with the right foot and a good bit of link play which was encouraging
Jack S seems to be dragged back and he reacts by dragging his man who promptly falls to the ground and the linesman deems it a black card offence (which it isnt i feel)

In the 42nd minute a gorgeous footpass from SOB to DC and the goal..the keeper lost his footing it seemed
In the 48th minute Tony kicked wide after a period of about 3 minutes when Kerry played keepball. This is another sign of a bit of cuteness coming into Kerry as the clock needed to be ran down while JS was off.
In the 53rd minute we had a point....a 'DC special'
55th minute JS kicked a nice point in the 55th minute after a long kickout was won

For the next 10 minutes Kerry were all over the place but Armagh didnt have the ability to capitalise. A few clear chances were missed by Armagh. Long kickouts were lost or short ones were to a player who was easily pounced on.
Eventually Jack Savage showed for a kickout and it was worked out of the Kerry half. It was a momentum shifter.
On the 62nd minute we had another DC special for a point

At the very end Kerry had 3 chances to kill the game. Dc kicked wide and kicked another across the goal where Armagh won possession and launched an attack. Kerry tried to cretae a goal chance but Burns was slow to move towards the pass and the keeper dispossed him and it led to that high lobbing ball at the other end that Graham OSullivan won but it could have gone anywhere.

So if Kerry had been a bit more clinical at the very start and the very end they would have made life easier for themselves. Jack Savage offers Kerry more 'head up awareness' than others do which is important against a well organised defense. He will never be a 'defense splitting' runner that will draw fouls.

Of course the elephant in the room in the inability to retain possession from kickouts. JOC and Tally wont need us to tell them that.
This problem was the undoing of Kerry under EF.
Under PK Kerry had a well worked system for short kickouts. Yes it was energy sapping and the opposition defense had plenty of time to organise a phalanx of defenders by the time we got the ball to the half way line. But it was still better than now where we are now as we are not winning enough possession from long ones and the short ones are being pounced on too easily.
If that elephant can be solved then Kerry will be in a very good place. If it isnt solved then Kerry cant win the All ireland in my view.

Of course, the context in which these games are played differs for each team. Armagh meet Donegal in Ballybofey on 24.4.2022. Are they in heavy training for that. Are Kerry in heavy training now?
Galway are due to meeting Mayo on the same weekend i think in the Connaght championship so how is that consideration impacting Mayo.
Dublin looked very good v Donegal but maybe Donegal have one eye on the Ulster championship.

Great account there, and yes, Ulster teams have only one logical thing on their minds - still nobody wants to be in Div 2 so lots of tactics, I think Dgal were smart in picking their games, why burn up vs Kerry and Dublin with games the week after, so far it has worked as they took the Red Hands - vs Armagh now this weekend will be interesting, an amazing conclusion, one of the best leagues ever?

On reflection the whole country has two hot competitions, Ulster has 3, well 2 hot and one boiling - as the Chinaman says, may you live in interesting times and this is about as interesting as it gets! The fear now is of hot encounters clashing like this weekend though that is necessary so teams can't take chances with other results impacting their League Status.

[dc84]

Mar 22, 2022 16:43:04 GMT Ballyfireside said:

Mar 22, 2022 11:02:51 GMT Mickmack said:

A few observations after watching the recording of the game

At the very start, Paudie, Killian and Tony could have done with more composure and awareness with 3 chances.
Paudie rushed a kick with his weaker right foot in front of the posts and kicked it wide.
Killian rushed a kick with his weaker right foot and sent it wide when a goal chance was there if he has seen teammates in better position.
Tony kicked a wide with his weaker right foot from 40 yards when he had more time to settle himself

Jack kicked a good point from 40 yards on the 7th minute and Paudie followed up with a similar effort with the left
In the 8th minute DOC did a brilliant bit of defensive work to prevent a goal for Armagh
In the 13th minute DOC kicked a great point after a good period of link play. These are the type of scores that Kerry didnt get v Tyrone last year

In the 17th minute Bian oB found himself on the D in front of the pots but like Paudie. Killian and Tony at the very start he rushed it and kicked with his weaker left foot and it went wide
18th minute ...A great fetch from Jack Barry from a SR kickout out sent Stephen oB away for a point
SOB kicked wide in the 23rd minute from a kickable position

In the 34th minute Brian OB scored with the right foot and a good bit of link play which was encouraging
Jack S seems to be dragged back and he reacts by dragging his man who promptly falls to the ground and the linesman deems it a black card offence (which it isnt i feel)

In the 42nd minute a gorgeous footpass from SOB to DC and the goal..the keeper lost his footing it seemed
In the 48th minute Tony kicked wide after a period of about 3 minutes when Kerry played keepball. This is another sign of a bit of cuteness coming into Kerry as the clock needed to be ran down while JS was off.
In the 53rd minute we had a point....a 'DC special'
55th minute JS kicked a nice point in the 55th minute after a long kickout was won

For the next 10 minutes Kerry were all over the place but Armagh didnt have the ability to capitalise. A few clear chances were missed by Armagh. Long kickouts were lost or short ones were to a player who was easily pounced on.
Eventually Jack Savage showed for a kickout and it was worked out of the Kerry half. It was a momentum shifter.
On the 62nd minute we had another DC special for a point

At the very end Kerry had 3 chances to kill the game. Dc kicked wide and kicked another across the goal where Armagh won possession and launched an attack. Kerry tried to cretae a goal chance but Burns was slow to move towards the pass and the keeper dispossed him and it led to that high lobbing ball at the other end that Graham OSullivan won but it could have gone anywhere.

So if Kerry had been a bit more clinical at the very start and the very end they would have made life easier for themselves. Jack Savage offers Kerry more 'head up awareness' than others do which is important against a well organised defense. He will never be a 'defense splitting' runner that will draw fouls.

Of course the elephant in the room in the inability to retain possession from kickouts. JOC and Tally wont need us to tell them that.
This problem was the undoing of Kerry under EF.
Under PK Kerry had a well worked system for short kickouts. Yes it was energy sapping and the opposition defense had plenty of time to organise a phalanx of defenders by the time we got the ball to the half way line. But it was still better than now where we are now as we are not winning enough possession from long ones and the short ones are being pounced on too easily.
If that elephant can be solved then Kerry will be in a very good place. If it isnt solved then Kerry cant win the All ireland in my view.

Of course, the context in which these games are played differs for each team. Armagh meet Donegal in Ballybofey on 24.4.2022. Are they in heavy training for that. Are Kerry in heavy training now?
Galway are due to meeting Mayo on the same weekend i think in the Connaght championship so how is that consideration impacting Mayo.
Dublin looked very good v Donegal but maybe Donegal have one eye on the Ulster championship.

Great account there, and yes, Ulster teams have only one logical thing on their minds - still nobody wants to be in Div 2 so lots of tactics, I think Dgal were smart in picking their games, why burn up vs Kerry and Dublin with games the week after, so far it has worked as they took the Red Hands - vs Armagh now this weekend will be interesting, an amazing conclusion, one of the best leagues ever?

On reflection the whole country has two hot competitions, Ulster has 3, well 2 hot and one boiling - as the Chinaman says, may you live in interesting times and this is about as interesting as it gets! The fear now is of hot encounters clashing like this weekend though that is necessary so teams can't take chances with other results impacting their League Status.

I dunno bally I think you are living up there too long man , Donegal are pure muck and are a Michael Murphy away from a prolonged stay outside d1. Ulsters cycle is turning again and Donegal are receeding to their pre 2010 level which is lower d1/d2 with the odd scalp in the championship. Monaghan are also on a massive slide and will struggle to get out of d2 (assuming they lose ). To be replaced by armagh and maybe Derry although jury is out there they didn't pass either test this year and I am unsure if Gallagher is a long haul man tbh.

[Ballyfireside]

Mar 22, 2022 19:22:23 GMT dc84 said:

Mar 22, 2022 16:43:04 GMT Ballyfireside said:

Great account there, and yes, Ulster teams have only one logical thing on their minds - still nobody wants to be in Div 2 so lots of tactics, I think Dgal were smart in picking their games, why burn up vs Kerry and Dublin with games the week after, so far it has worked as they took the Red Hands - vs Armagh now this weekend will be interesting, an amazing conclusion, one of the best leagues ever?

On reflection the whole country has two hot competitions, Ulster has 3, well 2 hot and one boiling - as the Chinaman says, may you live in interesting times and this is about as interesting as it gets! The fear now is of hot encounters clashing like this weekend though that is necessary so teams can't take chances with other results impacting their League Status.

I dunno bally I think you are living up there too long man , Donegal are pure muck and are a Michael Murphy away from a prolonged stay outside d1. Ulsters cycle is turning again and Donegal are receeding to their pre 2010 level which is lower d1/d2 with the odd scalp in the championship. Monaghan are also on a massive slide and will struggle to get out of d2 (assuming they lose ). To be replaced by armagh and maybe Derry although jury is out there they didn't pass either test this year and I am unsure if Gallagher is a long haul man tbh.

That's a big statement of the sole competitive provincial championship and using 'muck' to describe any team is inappropriate. If Donegal stopped playing soccer they would have a lot of Sams, mind you if things weren't as they are in NK we'd have our share of intercountry players too.

'In the long term we are all dead' so no manager is there in the long haul, PK wasn't and Jacko'c isn't - who is?

The you foresee Monaghan only being relegated out of D2 if they get into it - sorry, why am I wasting my time?

The nub of the issue is benchmarking with other provinces and the D1 League Table tells the story as it is.

Your post is the poorest is unworthy of calling yourself a GAA supporter, let alone a Kerry one!

Take a bow!

[dc84]

Mar 22, 2022 23:40:32 GMT Ballyfireside said:

Mar 22, 2022 19:22:23 GMT dc84 said:

I dunno bally I think you are living up there too long man , Donegal are pure muck and are a Michael Murphy away from a prolonged stay outside d1. Ulsters cycle is turning again and Donegal are receeding to their pre 2010 level which is lower d1/d2 with the odd scalp in the championship. Monaghan are also on a massive slide and will struggle to get out of d2 (assuming they lose ). To be replaced by armagh and maybe Derry although jury is out there they didn't pass either test this year and I am unsure if Gallagher is a long haul man tbh.

That's a big statement of the sole competitive provincial championship and using 'muck' to describe any team is inappropriate. If Donegal stopped playing soccer they would have a lot of Sams, mind you if things weren't as they are in NK we'd have our share of intercountry players too.

'In the long term we are all dead' so no manager is there in the long haul, PK wasn't and Jacko'c isn't - who is?

The you foresee Monaghan only being relegated out of D2 if they get into it - sorry, why am I wasting my time?

The nub of the issue is benchmarking with other provinces and the D1 League Table tells the story as it is.

Your post is the poorest is unworthy of calling yourself a GAA supporter, let alone a Kerry one!

Take a bow!

Muck is a bit harsh alright they have slipped a good bit imo, on monaghan if mcmanus, the Hughes etc decide to hang up the boots then yes I could see them slipping lower. I think Gallagher is like Davy fitz will get a great bounce at first but it will taper then.

[Ballyfireside]

Mar 23, 2022 7:59:10 GMT dc84 said:

Mar 22, 2022 23:40:32 GMT Ballyfireside said:

That's a big statement of the sole competitive provincial championship and using 'muck' to describe any team is inappropriate. If Donegal stopped playing soccer they would have a lot of Sams, mind you if things weren't as they are in NK we'd have our share of intercountry players too.

'In the long term we are all dead' so no manager is there in the long haul, PK wasn't and Jacko'c isn't - who is?

The you foresee Monaghan only being relegated out of D2 if they get into it - sorry, why am I wasting my time?

The nub of the issue is benchmarking with other provinces and the D1 League Table tells the story as it is.

Your post is the poorest is unworthy of calling yourself a GAA supporter, let alone a Kerry one!

Take a bow!

Muck is a bit harsh alright they have slipped a good bit imo, on monaghan if mcmanus, the Hughes etc decide to hang up the boots then yes I could see them slipping lower. I think Gallagher is like Davy fitz will get a great bounce at first but it will taper then.

That's 2 teams of 9 - what I see in Ulster and not necessarily by living there, is that there is a leading pack of 5 teams of a standard who drive each other forward and this exists naturally, and which in turn boosts participation at grassroots level, both in terms of player and support interest.

Monaghan is a very small county population wise as is Fermanagh, while due to history you are often starting from 50%, South County Derry is where the GAA is while the city is soccer mad. There are many parishes in Donegal that don't even have a GAA Club, never had one, though rural depopulation in the other provinces is having a similar effect, though post Covid may stem the tide somewhat.

Comparing Ulster there are some interesting cultural differences across the cultures, some hilarious - e.g. A set of GAA goal posts getting 'dehorned' and I don't believe it was sectarian. I am telling you, the crack, pun not intended, can be, well good crack, and there is definitely a book in it though it might be of a broader perspective. I have had some wonderful experiences, at times they'd have you bursting your arse in laughter with the things they come out with - and with wan Joe Brolly you'll never be stuck for fireworks.

Some say the better ones play football (Soccer in our language) though many who go for the Gaelic (Football in our language) are often dual players. I think there is a rule that at some stage, maybe early teens, you have to decide though don't quote me on that as it may vary across clubs and counties.

I have had some great days at just ordinary encounters, you could meet the most unlikely client who would have a knowledge, maybe an angle on things, that would leave you awe-struck, and always in a positive way. Some of 'em might even take it a bit too serious and that can also be interesting, drop the guard, etc and that's often the price of passion, maybe obsession!

[dc84]

All I was saying bally was I think that Donegal are in decline from their greatest decade and monaghan also whom I have the utmost of respect what they have gotten out of such a small playing pool is absolutely incredible.
I had some craic above in armagh last Sunday and am looking forward to next years league lots of good footballing teams in it armagh,Galway mayo the dubs all we need now is a resurgent down and football will be in a good place!

[Mickmack]

Kerry are not at the required level yet as regards clinically converting enough scoring chances to scores. Getting the best scorers at the end of a move would help and also for players to show a bit more composure and kick with their stronger foot.

Kicking the ball dead at the end of the game is a better option that losing possession and allowing a counter attack. Armagh came on the counter attack twice from situations where Kerry had possession and in a position to close out the game.


I think there are a number of factors playing into not retaining possession from kickouts....lack of height in half forward line is a factor alright. But even going short doesnt seem to be working well now either as the recipient is pounced on before the necklace of passes can take place that gets the ball upfield.


All of these things will need to be better in July. They probably wont matter in the Munster championship

[dc84]

Kickouts were too slow on the short ones Sunday, if you are going short it has to be fast he ended up kicking the ball to lads on their 2nd or 3rd run it has to be first time if thats the plan.
Seanie at 11 will help but the hb line isnt the biggest either. I can't get away from it I think we will need David Moran back at some stage. Last few years we had tommy walsh coming on adding a viable option hard to see anyone else there currently

[Tadhgeen]

Mar 22, 2022 11:02:51 GMT Mickmack said:

A few observations after watching the recording of the game

At the very start, Paudie, Killian and Tony could have done with more composure and awareness with 3 chances.
Paudie rushed a kick with his weaker right foot in front of the posts and kicked it wide.
Killian rushed a kick with his weaker right foot and sent it wide when a goal chance was there if he has seen teammates in better position.
Tony kicked a wide with his weaker right foot from 40 yards when he had more time to settle himself

Jack kicked a good point from 40 yards on the 7th minute and Paudie followed up with a similar effort with the left
In the 8th minute DOC did a brilliant bit of defensive work to prevent a goal for Armagh
In the 13th minute DOC kicked a great point after a good period of link play. These are the type of scores that Kerry didnt get v Tyrone last year

In the 17th minute Bian oB found himself on the D in front of the pots but like Paudie. Killian and Tony at the very start he rushed it and kicked with his weaker left foot and it went wide
18th minute ...A great fetch from Jack Barry from a SR kickout out sent Stephen oB away for a point
SOB kicked wide in the 23rd minute from a kickable position

In the 34th minute Brian OB scored with the right foot and a good bit of link play which was encouraging
Jack S seems to be dragged back and he reacts by dragging his man who promptly falls to the ground and the linesman deems it a black card offence (which it isnt i feel)

In the 42nd minute a gorgeous footpass from SOB to DC and the goal..the keeper lost his footing it seemed
In the 48th minute Tony kicked wide after a period of about 3 minutes when Kerry played keepball. This is another sign of a bit of cuteness coming into Kerry as the clock needed to be ran down while JS was off.
In the 53rd minute we had a point....a 'DC special'
55th minute JS kicked a nice point in the 55th minute after a long kickout was won

For the next 10 minutes Kerry were all over the place but Armagh didnt have the ability to capitalise. A few clear chances were missed by Armagh. Long kickouts were lost or short ones were to a player who was easily pounced on.
Eventually Jack Savage showed for a kickout and it was worked out of the Kerry half. It was a momentum shifter.
On the 62nd minute we had another DC special for a point

At the very end Kerry had 3 chances to kill the game. Dc kicked wide and kicked another across the goal where Armagh won possession and launched an attack. Kerry tried to cretae a goal chance but Burns was slow to move towards the pass and the keeper dispossed him and it led to that high lobbing ball at the other end that Graham OSullivan won but it could have gone anywhere.

So if Kerry had been a bit more clinical at the very start and the very end they would have made life easier for themselves. Jack Savage offers Kerry more 'head up awareness' than others do which is important against a well organised defense. He will never be a 'defense splitting' runner that will draw fouls.

Of course the elephant in the room in the inability to retain possession from kickouts. JOC and Tally wont need us to tell them that.
This problem was the undoing of Kerry under EF.
Under PK Kerry had a well worked system for short kickouts. Yes it was energy sapping and the opposition defense had plenty of time to organise a phalanx of defenders by the time we got the ball to the half way line. But it was still better than now where we are now as we are not winning enough possession from long ones and the short ones are being pounced on too easily.
If that elephant can be solved then Kerry will be in a very good place. If it isnt solved then Kerry cant win the All ireland in my view.

Of course, the context in which these games are played differs for each team. Armagh meet Donegal in Ballybofey on 24.4.2022. Are they in heavy training for that. Are Kerry in heavy training now?
Galway are due to meeting Mayo on the same weekend i think in the Connaght championship so how is that consideration impacting Mayo.
Dublin looked very good v Donegal but maybe Donegal have one eye on the Ulster championship.

Excellent post…