Kerry are into the Allianz Football League Final.
That's after winning by 1-13 to 0-13 at Armagh.
Armagh got the opening score of the game before Jack Savage opened Kerry’s account after 7 minutes from 21 yards. 30 seconds later, the Kingdom took an early lead from the boot of Paudie Clifford, who ended up in the starting 15 for Kerry.
Jack Savage slotted over a 45 yard free from his hands to stretch the lead out to 2 before he had to be replaced as a blood sub, with David Clifford coming on, having originally not being named in the squad for the trip north.
Na Gaeils Diarmuid O Connor put Kerry into a 3 point lead after 15 minutes, with the Kingdom on top in the game as Tony Brosnan and Stephen O Brien added their names to the score sheet to move Kerry into a 6 point to 1 lead as the 20th minute approached.
The next score didn’t come for 6 minutes with Jack Savage slotting over from player to make it 7 points to 1 in favour of the visitors. But 2 quick fire points from the hosts brought the Orchard back into it heading towards the break.
A Brian O Beaglaioch point was cancelled out by an Armagh free as the sides went into the break with 4 points between them, Kerry 0-8 Armagh 0-4. Jack Savage received a black card as the half time whistle blew as the teams clashed before going down the tunnel at half time.
Armagh opened the second half scoring before it was cancelled out by Paudie Clifford with his second from play. But, fantastic goal by David Clifford restored a 6 point lead for the Kingdom. Some great build up play from the midfield from Stephen O Brien set up David inside, who turned and buried it to the keeper’s right.
An Armagh free cut the gap to 5 before a 52nd minute point made it a 4 point game and the game in the melting pot. It was point for point at this stage, with David Clifford and Jack Savage scoring points that were cancelled out by Armagh frees. Kerry 1-11 Armagh 0-10 after 60 minutes in a game which still had the potential to go either way.
A David Clifford point was quickly cancelled out before a massive goal chance for Armagh from a poor kick out by Shane Ryan but the Rathmore man pulled off a huge save to ensure Kerry held a 4 point lead. A Jack Savage point had Kerry 5 points ahead with 3 minutes to go, before a close range free for Armagh cut the gap back to 4 as the 70 minute mark fast approached.
Armagh got another big point to bring it back to 3 points, with the Orchard pushing up and putting pressure on the Kerry defence as the fourth official held up the board for 4 added minutes in Athletic Grounds. But after all the pressure and press that Armagh put on the Kerry side, the whistle beat them and Kerry come home with a big win under the belt and a final berth secured. Kerry come out on top on a final score line, Kerry 1-13 Armagh 0-13
Former Kerry player Liam Brosnan
Kerry goalkeeper Shane Ryan
Elsewhere Kildare beat Monaghan by 0-24 to 1-12 and it's Dublin 1-08 Donegal 1-05 with the second half just underway in that one.
In Division 2 Cork picked up their first win of the league with a 1-16 to 1-12 win over Down.
Division 1 bound Galway beat Derry 4-11 to 0-12.
