GAA All-Ireland SFC 2025: Armagh 1-21 Kerry 0-32 – Superb Kingdom surge into last four at holders’ expense

Unquestionably the most eye-catching fixture of the weekend, Armagh travelled to Croke Park hoping to knock Kerry out again and take a significant step in their quest to defend their crown.

Revenge was uppermost in Kerry’s minds and they made the faster start, with O’Shea setting the tone for his lights-out display with a one and two-pointer.

And while Armagh got up and running through a couple of Oisin Conaty scores, the Orchard players had goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty to thank after he brilliantly saved Conor Geaney’s goalbound shot with his legs.

Armagh could have had a goal of their own when, after Kerry failed to gather their own kick-out, Tiernan Kelly robbed Dylan Geaney, shrugged off Dylan Casey and forced Shane Ryan to tip over the bar.

From there, a trio of unanswered Kerry scores – including a beautiful solo effort from David Clifford – put the Kingdom 0-7 to 0-3 ahead before Jarly Og Burns’ two-pointer and a Rian O’Neill effort from play hauled the Ulster side back into it.

Already hindered by injuries to key players, the Kingdom were forced into a change when Tom O’Sullivan hobbled off to be replaced by the inexperienced Evan Looney after 25 minutes.

And while O’Shea and Graham Sullivan scores extended Kerry’s lead to 0-9 to 0-6, Conaty and Joe McElroy scored reduced the arrears to a point before the Armagh goal, which was delivered emphatically by Grugan after Kelly caught Dylan Casey napping to steal Ryan’s short kick-out.

Kerry’s response, however, was swift and assertive as O’Shea raised white and orange flags before Dylan Geaney put the Munster kingpins 0-13 to 1-8 up.

Armagh finished the half with a flourish, though, and went in with their noses in front and chests puffed out after Ethan Rafferty’s two-point free was followed by a post-hooter McElroy score.