IT’S mad how Kerry seem to do it every year — limp along at the start of the race and hit top gear coming to the finish line.
The Kingdom were outstanding in the second half against Armagh and went from being widely written off to joint-favourites for Sam Maguire.
Jack O’Connor used the anger at that criticism to fire up his players and they blew the Orchard away.
Amazingly, Armagh stood off them as they fired 0-14 without reply but Tyrone won’t let that happen.
The Red Hands squeezed the life out of Dublin two weeks ago and showed they can can be so hard to play against.
Malachy O’Rourke’s men are the only county to have beaten Donegal this summer and like the Kingdom, the form is coming at the right time for them.
But you’d have to fancy Kerry based on what they did to the All-Ireland champions and I still feel there’s a bit more in them.
David Clifford scored 0-7. Pádraig Hampsey will probably mark him but will he be able to cope with him for a full game?
Seánie O’Shea hit 0-12 against Armagh, starting with a two-pointer and the orange flags will be crucial again.
Kerry got five the last day and Tyrone did the same against the Dubs but I think the Kingdom have the advantage in that scenario and that could be the winning of the game.
At the very start of the Championship, I called Kerry as my All-Ireland winners and I still think that could be the case.
Obviously, Tyrone have their own game-plan to cut off the supply to Clifford but I just think Kerry have too much class all over.
Today is also massive for Kildare and Limerick in the Tailteann Cup final.
The Lilywhites will be peering over the fence at what Meath have done since winning the second-tier Championship in 2023 and Down had a brilliant campaign this summer after last year’s success.
Limerick were excellent in their semi-final win over Wicklow and Jimmy Lee has a team who are really fighting for each other and play great football.
But Kildare will see this as a huge chance to play for Sam Maguire next year and I fancy them to get it done and get on the road back to where they belong — competing for Leinster and All-Ireland titles.
