ARM' WRESTLE

Kernan insists Kerry mind games won't fool Armagh

- ■ Karl O'KANE

AARON Kernan says the Armagh players won't be caught off guard by the “mind games” coming out of Kerry ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated All-Ireland quarter-final clash.

Kernan reckons the Kerry players are “hurting and smarting” from the criticism they've shipped from within the county following their recent defeat by Meath.

And he believes Armagh can expect the level of physicality they encountered in Tralee in Division 1 action earlier this year when he says every Orchard player had “a bit of meat put on them” before the throw-in.

Injury

With an injury crisis also affecting Kerry's preparations for this crunch Croke Park encounter, an air of negativity has surrounded the Kingdom.

But it’s Kerry’s skillset and high level experience that is worrying Kernan more than any psychological warfare going on in the background, ahead of this repeat of last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, which Armagh won after extra-time.