Shaping up for a summer spectacular

THEY haven’t gone away, you know.

They won yesterday's Allianz League final as they wanted, in truth.

Once they had doused Wexford's enthusiastic early fire, they suffocated the occasion with a ruthless exhibition of efficiency. At half back, Kernan and McKeever danced around Kieran McGeeney; their midfield destroyed Wexford and up front? That was the frightening part.

The full-forward trio contributed 16 points between them, but Clarke and Mallon were the support acts to the imperious Steven McDonnell. The former footballer of the year ended with 10 points, but left a longer-lasting impression of a panther back on the prowl.

Not that he has done anything wrong in the past two seasons, but yesterday, there was an edge to his execution that better defences than Wexford will fail to curb. Manager Joe Kernan has drafted in some promising Under 21's to freshen up his pack, but he must be praying that his most prized asset, McDonnell, can sustain his present form through the summer.

Though their opening Championship joust is only two weeks away, the prospect of a first National League title was too tantalising for Kernan to shuffle his pack. The manager sets the tone, and Armagh has lost none of the organisation or tunnel vision commitment that brought them their first All-Ireland three seasons ago.

With Toal, McGrane and McEntee on patrol, they won't lose too many midfield battles; Paul Hearty produced the saves when required and Francie Bellew as Eoin Mulligan once said show me the man who's got the better of him.

Interestingly, Division 1B was regarded as the weaker of the two top sections but produced both finalists. For Wexford, yesterday's final was a novel experience, and one they will surely use to their benefit. They struggled badly at midfield only Pat Roe will know whether it was one of the days. If not, they may need to re-evaluate the sector before their Leinster Championship clash with Carlow.

Much like Monaghan, the key for Roe is to take Wexford's League form and lessons into the summer. Somehow I fear for them in the Leinster hot-pot. Meath, Offaly, Dublin and Laois are all waiting in line to take Westmeath's title. Wexford may have to get in line.

As an indicator of things to come, we didn't need any League games to tell us that Kerry and Tyrone will be sniffing for September. Galway impressed me in the League and the progress of their Under 21's to an All-Ireland final won't do Peter Ford any harm.

Though Wexford saw off Tyrone in the League semi final, it was a day for dogs and ducks, and won't worry Micky Harte in the slightest. He may end up thanking the gods that he didn't play Armagh in a League final. Similarly, there was no way Kerry could have gone League, Championship, League, Championship is successive seasons. They're not just the team to beat they'll be the freshest team to beat.

What of the Meath whispers? They should have won yesterday's Division Two final, but it was surreal in every sense. Defences took the day off as Monaghan created their own bit of history. They could prove the Fermanagh of 2005 under Seamus McEnaney.

But Sean Boylan's priorities lie elsewhere. The moment Graham Geraghty picked up a knock yesterday, he was taken off. The Royals have bigger fish to fry.