Rival counties nail colours to everything

IN Armagh even the republicans are turning orange, while in Kerry the sheep have been painted green and gold.

Kerry supporters proved they were dyed in the wool yesterday as sheep were daubed in the Kingdom colours ahead of tomorrow's All-Ireland final with Armagh.

Even the traditional black Kerry cow has changed colours, with Daisy the cow taking centre place, painted green and gold, in the

border village of Rathmore.

Daisy is attracting many admirers at her pitch outside O'Keeffe's hardware store and, with three local players on the Kerry panel

Declan O'Keeffe, Tom O'Sullivan and Michael D Cahill football is the only topic of conversation in the village.

Marie Rahilly who works in the hardware store said: "People are nearly falling out of cars when they see it as they pass by. It's unbelievable. Excitement has been building up here all week and the real hullabaloo is starting now."

More than 10,000 Kerry fans have begun the exodus to Dublin, while in Armagh a quiet confidence has somehow seeped into the psyche. It's a confidence that has helped fuel the incredible hype sweeping across the Orchard County.

Paddy Short, a publican from Joe Kernan's heartland in Crossmaglen and who was in Croke Park for

Armagh's only other final appearances in 1953 and 1977, said: "Two years ago Armagh played Kerry and we drew before losing by a point in the replay. Kerry are not as good as is made out."

Paddy said Armagh was awash with colour: "I never, ever saw so much hype."

There's the 20ft orange coloured Christmas tree in the border village of Camlough and across the county the colours blanket housing estates and villages.

"Kilwilkie Backs the Orangemen," the banner reads in the strongly republican enclave in

Lurgan. As does the local Ulster Unionist MP, the First Minister David Trimble, who has sent his best wishes but won't make it down.

There's the usual array of painted cars leaving the Kingdom for Croke Park today. Denis Moynihan of Rathmore has painted his trusty High Nelly in Kerry favours and given it a drop of the ever reliable three-in-one in case it's needed for the 200-mile journey.

"I might have to go by bike yet. It's very hard to get a train ticket, you know," he joked.