Kerry stage thrilling comeback

Kerry 3-15 Armagh 1-13

Eoin Brosnan, Kieran Donaghy and Darren O'Sullivan hit the goals that helped Kerry exorcise the curse of the north at Croke Park, where they revived their season in spectacular fashion with a thrilling All-Ireland SFC win.

The Kingdom trailed by two points at half-time, but turned in a wonderful second half display to rout the Ulster men.

Eoin Brosnan blasted home a Kerry goal after just three minutes after midfield pair Darragh O Se and Tommy Griffin had combined, but it was Armagh who looked the more purposeful in the opening stages, hitting points through Steven McDonell, Ronan Clarke, John McEnree and Oisin McComville.

Aaron Kernan had the sides level from a free midway through the first half, but the Orchard plundered a goal in the 23rd minute, Ronan Clarke knocking Paul McGrane's delivery into the path of McDonnell, who finished clinically.

Armagh led by 1-7 to 1-3 as half-time approached, but Kieran Donaghy finally began to get the measure of full-back Francie Bellew in the air, and his knock-downs created points for Colm Cooper and Mike Frank Russell, the latter after Gooch's initial effort had been superbly saved by Paul Hearty.

Armagh led by 1-7 to 1-5 at the break, but a sensational start to the second half saw Kerry hit 1-2 in the space of three minutes, Donaghy outfielding Bellew to drill home a 38th minute goal.

The O Se brothers helped the Kingdom tighten their grip, Darragh giving htem the edge in midfield, while Tomas and Marc (2) pressed forward from defence to shoot points.

Clarke and McDonell kept Armagh in touch, but as the game entered its final quarter, they trailed by 2-11 to 1-10.

Kerry were reduced t0 14 men 10 minutes from the end when Paul Galvin received a second yellow card, and once again, the deadly strike force of Clarke and McDonnell narrowed the gap.

But Kerry finished with a bang, substitute Darren O'Sullivan crashing home their third goal five minutes from the end.