All-Ireland quarter-final head-to-head: Armagh v Kerry

David Clifford of Kerry kicks a point despite the efforts of Jason McLoughlin of Cavan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Armagh (W4 L2).

Ulster SFC quarter-final: Armagh 1-34 Antrim 1-23.

Ulster SFC semi-final: Armagh 0-23 Tyrone 0-22

Ulster SFC final: Donegal 2-23 Armagh 0-28 (after extra time)

All-Ireland SFC group phase: Armagh 2-21 Derry 2-17, Armagh 0-24 Dublin 0-19, Galway 2-22 Armagh 0-27

Kerry (W5 L1).

Munster SFC semi-final: Kerry 3-21 Cork 1-25 (after extra time)

Muster SFC final: Kerry 4-20 Clare 0-21.

All-Ireland SFC group phase: Kerry 3-18 Roscommon 0-17, Kerry 1-28 Cork 0-20, Meath 1-22 Kerry 0-16.

All-Ireland SFC prelim quarter-final: Kerry 3-20 Cavan 1-17.

LAST FIVE

2024 All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Armagh 1-18 Kerry 1-16 (after extra time)

2006 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Kerry 3-15 Armagh 1-13.

2002 All-Ireland SFC final: Armagh 1-12 Kerry 0-14 

2002 All-Ireland SFC semi final: Kerry 2-11 Armagh 2-11

2002 All-Ireland SFC semi final replay: Kerry 2-15 Armagh 1-15 (after extra time).

DID YOU KNOW

*Kerry are the only county to have reached the quarter-finals every year since they were introduced in 2001.

*This is the 13th year that Armagh have reached the quarter-finals.

*Kerry are attempting to reach the semi-finals for a fifth successive year.

*Armagh are bidding to get there for a second successive year.

MATCH PREVIEW

Receiving one of his three man-of-the-match awards in this championship after the Munster final, David Clifford spoke of how Kerry were developing their panel because losing to Armagh demonstrated that they needed to embellish it.

Fast forward eight weeks and three of the team that began against Clare that day are unavailable and Tadhg Morley is injured. If Kerry weren’t so ravaged by injuries, they would have the options Clifford spoke about to beat Armagh.

After David Clifford’s rallying call last weekend, there has been reports of an increased demand for tickets but blowing the horn to summon the troops always feels like a last resort. Being outnumbered has rarely troubled Kerry before.

The problem is they are outgunned here too. Oisín Conaty is up there alongside Clifford as footballer of the year and Rory Grugan’s understanding of the game grows more acute with every season and the recent return of Rian O’Neill brings the x-factor.

Kerry were hurt by Armagh last year but they will need more than that to exact revenge. In Clifford, they have the right man in the right place playing with the right rules. He could do something cataclysmic but Paudie will be needed and Paudie isn’t fully right. The wiser nod goes to the champions.

Verdict: Armagh.