KINGDOM IN HEAVEN

O'Shea shines as Kerry get revenge on holders Armagh

- By KARL O'KANE

JACK O'Connor hailed Sean O'Shea's "different level" leadership after the Kenmare star kicked Kerry past Armagh and into an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Tyrone in a fortnight.

O'Shea hit 12 points at Croke Park in yesterday's All-Ireland quarter-final as the Kingdom emphatically avenged last year's defeat in the final four by Kieran McGeeney's holders.

A stunning 10 of those 12 points came from play, with O'Shea nailing three two pointers — all from play - and not having a miss from nine shots.

What the stats don't show is O'Shea's response after Rory Grugan crashed to the Kerry net on 28 minutes to put Armagh ahead for the first time, after Dylan Casey erred in backed off a Shane Ryan short kickout, which was dribbling out of the arc.

Ryan immediately put the ball down and seconds later, up at the other end, O'Shea kicked for one point. Soon afterwards, he launched over a two pointer, meaning he'd effectively wiped out the goal in less than three minutes.

Armagh gave O'Shea far too much space, probably preoccupied with closing off David Clifford's goal threat, and he took full advantage, shooting the lights out, while goalkeeper Ryan was superb, making an incredible fingertip save from Tiernan Kelly in the first half.

"The game Seán O'Shea had there, when that was a game in the first half and halfway through the second half, that man put in some display."

Paudie Clifford didn't start, but his introduction at half-time was a game changer as he shot two points and handled an amount of ball.