Annihilation
After a strong league campaign that saw Armagh win Division 3, Kieran McGeeney’s men were expected to give Donegal everything they could handle. But after 20 minutes, the gulf in class between Division 1 and 3 was VERY apparent. Speaking afterwards on RTÉ, Joe Brolly joked that the game was over after Paddy McBrearty’s early goal but he wasn’t far wrong. Rory Gallagher’s men led 1-9 to 0-2 at half time, and it was a pitiful effort from Armagh in their home ground.
Such was the ease with which Donegal swatted Armagh aside, they only needed to score 1-2 in the second half to record a very comfortable 2-11 to 0-8 win.
Guns
His first championship game ended in disaster but Kieran McGeeney can take comfort in the fact that his arms were absolutely ginormous on the sideline. Like Roy Keane sitting on the sideline in shorts and boots yesterday, McGeeney looked to be seriously considering bringing himself on to do a job at centre half-back. Armagh’s performance was extremely disappointing but Geezer’s guns were resplendent.
Comeback
After a year on the treatment table, the king of the Kingdom returned to the Kerry championship line-up. Colm Cooper started for Kerry in their 2-14 to 2-8 win over Tipperary as the All-Ireland champions started the defence of their title.
Cooper performed well on his return, and there was more good news for Eamonn Fitzmaurice as James O’Donoghue also made his comeback from injury, making a cameo off the bench. Naturally, GAA fans were thrilled to see the Gooch back in championship action.
Great to see this man back in action. Definitely making it my business to go see him in action this summer. #thegooch pic.twitter.com/1xkuyuHarE
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) June 14, 2015
Cork saw off Clare in the other semi-final, so they will play Kerry in the Munster final in three weeks time.
Confusion
Meath saw off Wicklow 2-19 to 3-12 in an entertaining game that had a bit of everything. Towards the end of the contest, one of Wicklow’s goal-scorers, Paul Cronin, was sent off for a second yellow card but there might have been a case of mistaken identity.
Controversy now as Paul Cronin sent off on a second yellow – think he's arguing he hasn't been booked before
— John Greene (@johnjgreene) June 14, 2015
Second yellow & red issued to Paul Cronin. Cian Ward not sure it's the right man.
— LMFM RADIO (@LMFMRADIO) June 14, 2015
Despite showing good fight throughout, Wicklow came up just short and will now have to travel to Armagh in round one of the qualifiers.
Toughness
Galway were seen as a bit of a soft touch in the last few years and although Mayo recorded a 1-15 to 2-8 in Salthill today, the Tribesmen hassled and harried their opponents at every turn. There was a bit of niggle throughout, with Galway’s Finian Hanley and Mayo’s Lee Keegan both seeing red.
The highlight of the game was Gary Sice’s screamer just before half time, which was followed by Galway keeper Manus Breathnach clearing the ball off Hanley and into his own net.
