Key Questions: Do Armagh have the squad to dig deep?

The big questions ahead of the clash of Mayo and Meath is whether either side can successfully close out a game. 

HUNTED: Kerry's Joe O'Connor is tackled by Peter McGrane of Armagh in the sides' high octane League meeting last March at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

All-Ireland SFC rd 3: Kerry v Armagh, Fitzgerald Stadium, 4pm

Do Armagh have the bench?: In six championship games this season, Armagh have used the full five permitted substitutes just once.

There are caveats to this stat. They went to extra-time against Tyrone and Monaghan, making just four official substitutes in 70 minutes but opting for more changes after that. They used all five in the Ulster SFC semi-final against Down.

Against Derry, they had just three subs, one in the 67th minute. In defeat against Louth, they had four and one temporary sub. Stefan Campbell, Jemar Hall, Rian O’Neill, Niall Grimley, Mark Shields, Niall Rowland, Ciarán O’Hanlon, Ciarán Higgins, Shane McPartland and Connaire Mackin have either retired or opted out. Ben Crealey is injured, Blaine Hughes and Andrew Murnin also missed their last game.

In a physical and demanding contest, do Armagh have the squad to dig deep?

How will Kerry defend?: In the 2025 All-Ireland final, Kerry stayed deep and compact. When they met Donegal again in the championship, that hurt them as they sit in and the visitors went after two-pointers, kicking three.

Armagh are not a two-point-heavy team. They average about 2.3 orange flags per match (Kerry are 3, the likes of Monaghan and Meath are over 4). That defensive template may again appeal to Jack O’Connor.

What is the legacy of the 2025 encounter?: It was the moment that ignited the Kingdom’s march to the summit. A critical 14 minutes and 25 seconds. A reminder: Armagh 1-16, Kerry 0-14, 40.35 on the clock. Armagh 1-16, Kerry 0-28, 55.10 on the clock.

Now Kerry have former Armagh coach Kieran Donaghy in their camp, who would know precisely what went wrong during that spell and how they planned to fix it. The Ulster champions have made some obvious adjustments, with Blaine Hughes in goals for most games rather than Ethan Rafferty.

One imagines Armagh have revisited those 14 minutes more than once. Last December, we spoke to Tiernan Kelly about what went wrong.

“If you get a bit of momentum in a game, it is so hard to turn that dial back the other way,” he said. “In the group stages going into the All-Ireland, we topped the group and were in a good position. Even throughout the Kerry game, I think the majority of the game, we were playing well. Things were going how we planned. Then in a ten, 15 minute period, it turned on its head. A team like Kerry and all they have won, the quality they have, you cannot afford to give them that amount of possession and momentum.

“When you watch the game back, so many things went to plan. We were in a good spot.” 

All-Ireland SFC Rd 3: Mayo v Meath, Castlebar, 6.15pm.

Who gets the big matchup? This is set to be a sensational shootout. On both sides, you have concerns about their defence and terrific inside forwards. Mayo will worry about James Conlon and Jordan Morris. Meath have to manage Kobe McDonald, Ryan O’Donoghue and Darragh Beirne.

If Tommy Conroy starts, one of McDonald or O’Donoghue could move to the half-forward line. Jack Coyne endured a difficult afternoon on Darren McCurry last week but of the six points, he was marking him for three. He could take Morris with exciting prospect Eoin McGreal primed to build on an impressive Eoin McElholm job by tracking the in-form Conlon.

As for Meath, All-Star Sean Rafferty has the physicality to tackle O’Donoghue if he stays close to goal. Ronan Ryan may end up on Beirne which leaves McDonald. Reports in Australia this week suggest McDonald will arrive in St Kilda for July, which would rule him out of the early rounds of the Mayo SFC championship at the very least. For now, Mayo will simply be grateful to have him.

Seamus Lavin had a difficult afternoon on Stephen Sherlock in the league final and while Donal Keogan earned man of the match against Derry attacking off the half-back line, they may require his expertise further back.

Can these teams learn to close out a game?: There were three points in it and just over two minutes left when Jack Flynn tried a speculative shot from a step inside the arc. It could have been a costly miss. Derry won the next kickout but Shane McGuigan tried a rash two-point attempt that dropped short.

Sunday was another one-point defeat in a long list for Mayo over the past three seasons. There are several moments they will have reviewed this week. The concession of the free for Niall Morgan, Sam Callinan’s fisted point and Aidan O’Shea’s final shot are all incidents that this group need to learn from.

What impact will the referee have?: There has been a noticeable shift this season. Referees are beginning to allow more physicality in the game. One of the most popular officials for this is Down’s Paul Faloon. His style should lend itself to a toe-to-toe tussle.