Kerry vs. Armagh, Sunday, Croke Park, 3.30 p.m.
At the outset of the championship trail, most people’s main contenders for headlining the September showpiece would have been the likes of Kerry, Galway and Meath. Kerry haven’t let us down, but in keeping with the summer of surprises, Armagh have arrived, and they are by no means just here to provide a supporting role.

In some ways, there would have been doubts about both these sides at the beginning of the year. Surprising, you may think, considering Kerry are involved but after last year’s mauling by Meath even the most ardent of those loyal followers of the Kingdom must have questioned where they were going.

Those lingering doubts became even more of a headache as they firstly unconvincingly saw off Limerick’s challenge before falling foul to what is almost viewed as a cardinal sin in Kerry when succumbing to their nemesis from the banks of the Lee.

It must have been a terrible blow to a people who have such pride in their football for them to see their side having to progress through the qualifiers, but I suspect they will be very glad the system exists now as they were able to blood players like Seán O’Sullivan and the “Boy Wonder” Colm Cooper. They now have a renewed pep in their step as their scintillating displays against Galway and Cork proved.

Armagh viewed the appointment of Joe Kernan as a blessing and he appears to have transferred the self-belief that he bred into Crossmaglen Rangers - that saw them become the standard bearers of club football - to a county side who were never short of stars or skill but seemed to lack self belief.

Unlike their opponents’ frequent flashes of genius, Kernan’s men have gone about their task slowly and methodically. In Kieran McGeeney they have a defensive giant and while Paul McGrane and John Toal will have their work cut out against an on fire and inspired Daire Ó Sé, they do possess lethal finishing power in the form of Oisín McConville, Steven McDonnell and their “New Kid on the Block” Ronan Clarke, though the latter has hardly been presented with a stiffer challenge than that which will be presented by the mighty Séamus Moynihan on Sunday.

Something has to give between the contrasting styles of these two on Sunday and the gut feeling is that the experience and drive of the marvellous Moynihan and their awesome captain Ó Sé may steer them right on a day when their opponents could be forgiven for being sidetracked by hype. However, if Armagh guard against the above, anything is possible.

Crystal Ball Verdict: Kerry’s experienced campaigners to guide the crown back to the Kingdom.

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