Kieran McGeeney: A deserved day for Armagh players

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney paid tributes to his players who overcame a series of emotional hits over the last three seasons to bring the county to just their fifth ever All-Ireland final after a thrilling extra-time win over Kerry.

In a scarcely believable run, the Orchard County lost back-to-back Ulster finals and back-to-back All-Ireland quarter-finals on penalty shoot-outs from 2022 to '24.

When their game with the Kingdom finished level after 70 minutes, those thoughts were surely in the mind of supporters again, but the Armagh players grasped the game from there to secure a 1-18 to 1-16 win.

McGeeney, who has confounded his many critics inside the county this season, turned his praise onto his squad.

"Every time you play Kerry you know what you're going to get. It’s quick, it’s fast, it’s aggressive," he told RTÉ Sport.

"Backwards and forwards, we missed a few goal chances first half, they missed a few in the second half.

"We missed a few easy scores, they got a few easy scores so it was one of those games that you’ll look back on and you’ll go s**t that’s a lot of mistakes. I suppose for the neutral that’s the type of game they like.

"To come out on top is great for the players. To get that semi-final into an All-Ireland final, like we still haven’t won anything but still it’s a great achievement for a team that’s been knocked back and knocked back and knocked back.

"I’m delighted for them, I hope they realise there’s a big thing in front of them.

An error from Shane Ryan and Barry McCambridge gratefully finds the net. One point in it!