When Kerry and Armagh run out on Croke Park tomorrow for the first of the Bank of Ireland football semi-finals it may well be that the game balances on the more capable defence. Armagh have had doubts voiced about their full-back line in particular this season and against the most skilled forward line in the country they must be wary. Kerry too have had their troubles and have had to sacrifice the powerful running and playmaking of Seamus Moynihan to shore up a full-back line left leaky by the injured Barry O'Shea.
Gerald Reid is named at number 3 for Armagh, a position also filled by John Donaldson this year. Both had trouble in the Ulster championship and Reid must now face an on form Dara O'Cinnéide. At the other end Moynihan remains at full-back and does not have to worry about Diarmuid Marsden, at least initially as Marsden starts on the bench. However there are some fears about the ability of Killian Burns to contain Oisín McConville in the corner. All in all whichever set of backs adapt best to the threat of the opposing forwards, that side will be well on their way to securing a coveted spot in the final.
