BBC SPORT | BBC Pundits | Armagh goes football mad



By Jerome Quinn BBC Sport

Orange Christmas trees, orange sheep, orange and white painted limousines, murals of Joe Kernan and Paidi O Se, schools having an 'Armagh Day', CDs remixing the Armagh song - they've lost the run of themselves in the Orchard County!

And it worries me ahead of Sunday's Final.

Here's a touch of realism - Armagh have the best fans in the country, but do they have the best team?

Joe Kernan has tried to take his players away from the hype, which is worse than it was in the early nineties for Down, Donegal and Derry.

Armagh have trained in Dublin and Dundalk, but big Joe can only do so much to protect his players.

I would also be concerned about several one-to-one confrontations

Most of the players still work and live in the county, and although the colour and craic is all good fun, it also puts pressure on the team.

At 3.30 on Sunday afternoon, Kerry will hit Armagh like a ton of bricks.

They haven't won 32 All Irelands for nothing.

Remember the Semi-final replay a couple of years ago when Cathal O'Rourke was singled out for early 'treatment' by Kerry defenders?

I would also be concerned about several one-to-one confrontations - Justin McNulty on Dara O Cinneide, Francie Bellew on Russell, John Toal on either Daly or O Se, and Ronan Clarke on Moynihan.

McNulty will need to start better than he has in recent games while Andrew McCann may be an option if Russell gives Bellew the slip.

The sheep show their support for Armagh boss Joe Kernan
Even the sheep are backing Armagh

In addition, Toal has a massive job along with McGrane in stopping O Se from supplying the famed Kerry corner-forwards.

Young Clarke has been a revelation this summer, but he'll need to do to the Ireland captain what Peter Withnell did to Mick Lyons in the 1991 Final.

I'm not saying Armagh won't win - they have a great chance, but Kerry are a classy outfit and have to be favourites.

They play with fantastic skill and flamboyance, with forwards who can move easily onto either foot to take scores.

In the first-half against Cork, Kerry were simply a joy to watch.

Contrast this with Armagh labouring their way to draws and one-point wins.

I'd be happier if Jarlath hadn't promised/threatened to sing if Armagh win

It's dramatic and exciting, and it's been a marvellous roller-coaster ride, but I just don't know if their 'stickability' will be enough in the Final.

The Armagh players will die out on the pitch for the cause, but remember also the fact that Kerry are still smarting from last year's 15-point defeat by Meath.

The least this team has to do is to bring back Sam in order to repair some of the damage.

I read somewhere that Kerry have not had a song out for a Final since 1982 (having heard a few of the Armagh ones, that's not a bad idea) and you can be sure that the players have been preparing without distraction.

Maybe I would be more confident if one of the Ulster winners from 1991-94 had beaten a Kerry team in the Final.

Maybe I'd be happier if Jarlath hadn't promised/threatened to sing if Armagh win...

Kerry will go into the game as favourites
Some bookies are backing Armagh

One final point - Armagh have missed penalties in their previous two All Ireland Final appearances, and the modern-day team has not had a penalty since the 1999 Ulster Final against Down.

Imagine the drama if it all comes down to Oisin McConville vs Declan O'Keeffe in the closing minutes...

Finally....The winner of tickets for the final was Anne Marie Campbell from near Portadown.

She will be our guest on Sunday afternoon on the television coverage.

On the programme, we will have a special prize for a new competition to mark the special occasion - a painting commissed by Armagh artist Seamus Duffy, showing Armagh and Kerry players competing for a high ball.

More details on the telly...

Email me at: jerome.quinn@bbc.co.uk or text the programme on Sunday: 07764 355 202