Even yet another Clifford exhibition may not save the Kingdom at Croker

AND then there were eight. After a weekend where results went as expected, the one quarter-final we know for certain is that Kerry will face off against the All-Ireland champions, Armagh.

- COLM BOYLE

Kerry, at times, looked to be cruising against Cavan. Then, at other times, especially in the second half they were really struggling as Cavan cut the gap to four points. David Clifford settled the nerves with his third goal of the day. The reality is unless he produces a master-class next weekend, Kerry will be out of the Championship - and even that might not be enough.

Injuries are certainly not helping their cause but this Kerry team do not look as good as they were in 2022 when they last won Sam.

Diarmuid O'Connor going down straight from the throw-in with a shoulder injury he picked up in Round 3 of the League looks like a huge setback. It's a sign of the desperation that must have been there to get him back on the field.

He must have been well off being right if he hurt it again so innocuously.