Kerry's All-Ireland win was delivered with a total footballing display, enabled by a tactical masterclass and underpinned by workrate.

Donegal's zonal defensive setup has worked so far, getting them to an All-Ireland final and winning Ulster. I have long felt it won’t win Sam.

As I have aged I have a much better appreciation of the fantastic journey I was personally on at the time, and by extension my family with me

Donegal's workrate is extraordinary, their discipline so impressive. Meath were off it, but not many teams will survive the Ulster champions' sheer relentlessness

Since that win against Armagh there has been a volte-face in an entire county's mood, flipping from pessimism to elation. Dangerously so. 

Every Kerry player was excellent against Armagh, but Seán O’Shea stood head and shoulders above everyone

If Kerry are to unseat the All-Ireland champions in Croke Park, they will have to make Armagh uncomfortable. Push out, get in their faces. Play with the anger that has to be in their bellies

Every county still standing has lost at least once. Armagh, Tyrone and Dublin have lost twice. Teams have come into and fallen out of form on a remarkably regular basis

Our chief football analyst knows only too well what sort of mood the Kerry camp will be in this week after their nine-point hammering by Meath

Derry and Mayo gone. Meath are flying. Cork survive. A Con O’Callaghan-powered Dublin ominously move forward. Meanwhile an injury-stricken and flat Kerry face three weeks on the bounce to make an All-Ireland semi-final.