Blaine Hughes He returned this season after a year away, took full advantage of Ethan Rafferty’s unlucky ankle break and is surely in the shake-up for an Allstar. Ice cool in those dying seconds. Some of his long kick-outs were things of beauty. 8.5
Patrick Burns His best game for Armagh. Did enough to distract Tom O’Sullivan when a Kerry goal seemed certain. His harassment of the Kerry forwards from start to finish was exceptional. Assisted for Aidan Forker’s 40th minute point. 8.5
Aaron McKay A fantastic season to date at full-back. Had spells on David Clifford and sat in front of him to good effect too. 7.5
Peter McGrane Shadowed Paudie Clifford in the first half, picked up a yellow card just before half-time and was also hurt and never re-appeared for the second half. Opened Armagh’s account. 6.5
Barry McCambridge To know when to stay or go ultimately boils down to a player’s own game intelligence. Stuck to Clifford like glue and his deftness for Armagh’s goal was something else. His turnover that led to Rian O’Neill’s first half score was awesome. 8.5
Tiernan Kelly Allowed Diarmuid O’Connor to get away from him too easily to point, but then won a couple of incredible turnovers on a day when they were gold dust. Pushed further forward before being replaced. 6.5
Aidan Forker He kept stride for stride with Seanie O’Shea and when Armagh was crying out for inspiration, the Maghery man duly obliged with two wonderful second-half points. 7.5
Niall Grimley When Armagh were getting it tight in the first half, he hit back-to-back points. His fielding was of a high order. Unbelievable desire across the 90 minutes. 8.5
Ben Crealey Snatched at a difficult chance but made one great catch in the first half. The Maghery man has been brilliant all season and gave everything for 57 minutes. 7
Oisin Conaty Struggled with Kerry’s ferocity in the tackle. Not his best day but when you pull back the lens on 2024, the Tir na nOg man has seriously lifted the Armagh attack. 6
STAR MAN
Rian O’Neill In the clutch moments, the Crossmaglen man lived up to his weighty reputation. Difficult first half. Hit three brilliant points. His first score was from an outrageous distance and he plucked Kerry’s last ‘Hail Mary’ out of the air - and Armagh were in an All-Ireland final. 8.5
Joe McElroy Put in a solid first-half shift and shadowed Paudie Clifford from the second half onwards. Clifford was always going to have good spells but McElroy’s diligence and discipline were a credit to him. 8
Rory Grugan The Ballymacnab man is always better when you go through the tape a second time. Held possession well, assisted for Soupy’s first point of the day and helped win a crucial possession that led to Oisin O’Neill’s late chance. Converted a tricky free. 7.5
Andrew Murnin Had Paul Murphy and Jason Foley for company at different stages and they pushed the St Paul’s man to the fringes. Had a goal chance blocked by Shane Ryan. 6
Conor Turbitt Tom O’Sullivan is as sticky a marker as they come – but when gaps started to appear, the Clann Eireann man was influential. In, out and in again. Grabbed the last point of the night and enjoyed Hill 16′s reaction. 7.5
Subs
Stefan Campbell Soupy’s impact in the early throes of the second half – and his two class points – were serious momentum givers. Always a threat. 8
Jason Duffy: Somehow made the ball stick under serious pressure to allow Rian O’Neill to point. 7
Aidan Nugent Had a couple of chances but couldn’t convert them. 6
Ross McQuillan A brilliant substitution that really galvanised Armagh after the hour mark. Fit as a flea, class in the air, plays heads-up football and grabbed a point. 8.5
Oisin O’Neill Just wide on two occasions but was good in general play. 6.5
Jarlath Og Burns Got Armagh off to a flyer in extra-time. Offered legs, aerial nous and composure. 7.5
Shane McPartlan Fresh legs and some decent possession. Missed a decent chance. 6