Former Kerry footballer Marc Ó Sé will be involved in Sunday's 'Warm Up' show at Croke Park before the All-Ireland SFC Final. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
In his first All-Ireland SFC Final for Kerry, Marc Ó Sé witnessed the passion and purpose Armagh can bring.
The 2002 decider culminated in a furiously celebrated Armagh success and Ó Sé, who will be involved in ‘The Warm Up’ show before Sunday’s eagerly anticipated encounter remembers the defiance demonstrated by the Orchard County.
“That time, that team was facing into their first ever All-Ireland final, all of those players,” Ó Sé recalls. “They had never experienced an All-Ireland final, if you look at our Kerry team, we had a number of players had played in '97, drawn 2000 game, the 2000 replay. So, they all had experience; it was my first final.
“At the same time, you've to understand Armagh were knocking on the door from '99 onwards. The eventual winners beat them each year, Meath in '99, Kerry in 2000, and Galway in 2001. Eventually they got over the line against us in 2002.
“Probably, they should have won more, the following year in 2003, that unbelievable block down by Conor Gormley, that game will be remembered for when Stevie McDonnell had that opportunity, but Gormley made an exceptional block to deny them.
“They were an exceptional bunch of players, but the current players have made their own mark this year.
'The Warm-Up' show takes place at Croke Park on Sunday.
Ahead of the Armagh versus Galway clash, Ó Sé acknowledges the contribution made by goalkeeper Blaine Hughes in 2024. “They were fully deserving of their victory over Kerry, particularly in the second half when Kerry were pushing up on them,” Ó Sé says.
“Blaine Hughes, I thought, was exceptional when the press was on. He was able to find Armagh jerseys, particularly in extra-time, in the important part of that game when the game could be won and lost. He took a year out, he is after coming in when Ethan Rafferty was injured, what a plus he has been for them.”
Ó Sé played against Kieran McGeeney and Pádraic Joyce, who are now operating as managers. “McGeeney, he is there 10 years now,” Ó Sé says. “These fellas soldiered together with the international rules team, they've won it for their own counties, they've been the leaders of their own counties.
“McGeeney was the natural leader of Armagh, and Joyce was the leader of the Galway team. I remember being at the 2001 All-Ireland final, Galway against Meath. It was worth the entrance fee alone to watch Joyce, that second half performance, marking none other than the great Darren Fay, one of the great full backs.
“They always had that leadership quality. To bring that as managers of the team, these players want to win it for their managers, I know that. Two exceptional characters.
“Any time these teams have faced each other in the last few years, there has been nothing between them, a kick of the ball in those the games. That is why this game is fascinating.”
