Upholding the family honour

IT’S a testament to how the family has worked its way into the marrow of Armagh football that there are more Kernans involved in the senior football set-up this year than last, despite the gaping hole left by Big Joe’s decision to walk away.

The county won four Ulster titles and its first ever All-Ireland under Joe’s watch, but his legacy to the game in the county involves numerous strands, his success with Crossmaglen and his own offspring among them.

Stephen, the eldest, was the first to be blooded in a Dr McKenna Cup match against St Mary’s in January of 2004. Aaron followed suit a month later in a league game against Galway and has emerged as one of the game’s finest attacking wing-backs.