CRANK IT UP FELLAS

Fitzgerald says Kerry will be all fired up after shock defeat

- KARL O'KANE

EAMONN FITZMAURICE is expecting “a fine and cranky” Kerry camp this week as they look to bounce back from their shock All-Ireland round robin defeat to Meath.

If they turn over Cavan in Killarney next weekend as expected ~ and provided there are no shocks in the other preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final ties - Jack O'Connor's side are on a collision course with Armagh.

Due to the avoidance of repeat pairings from provincial finals and the group stages, Armagh can’t face Donegal, Galway or Dublin in a potential All-Irealnd quarter-final, which leaves Kerry as their only opponents in this scenario.

That one, if it happens, would be a mouthwatering prospect and a repeat of last year's All-Ireland semi-final, which Armagh won after extra-time before going on to defeat Galway in the final and land their second Sam Maguire.

Kerry are reeling after a surprise 1-22 to 0-16 defeat to the Royal County at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday in Round 3 of the All-Ireland series.

This meant that rather than topping the group, as they were widely expected to do, and securing a two-week break to prepare for the All-Ireland quarter-finals, they found themselves in yesterday's preliminary quarter-final draw.

O'Connor's side got a break in the draw as they could have pulled Galway in a repeat of the 2022 All-Treland final, but they instead invite Cavan to Fitzgerald Stadium next weekend.