Aaron Kernan talks to Gavin Cummiskeyahead of Armagh's clash with Fermanagh on Sunday
THE AGE of Armagh dominance was supposed to be finished. The twin pillars that supported the Orchard county march to the 2002 All-Ireland and six Ulster titles in eight years have been removed.
And still, they find themselves back in a provincial final this Sunday against Fermanagh, seeking to build on the breakthrough of 1999.
Several familiar ingredients are still at hand. Despite the departure of manager Joe Kernan and the retirement of their outstanding leader Kieran McGeeney, the spine of the team retains familiar characters in Francie Bellew, Aidan O'Rourke and Paul McGrane, while Ciarán McKeever, Paddy McKeever and Ronan Clarke can now be considered senior statesmen within the panel.
Attaining such high standards can become contagious. A great team inspires younger players to imitation. The new Armagh players have a swagger similar to that of the household names, providing increasing proof that, if managed correctly, a gold rush can leave a lasting legacy.
"That was one thing we were never really fearing that much," says Aaron Kernan. "The fact that we knew we had the young players coming through. It was only a matter of time before they made the step up and got their chance. They seem to be taking it. There will be more from them before the year is out."
Underage graduates like Kieran Toner, Charlie Vernon and Finnian Moriarty have come in and done well, while Kernan's brother Stephen has nailed down a starting berth in the forwards.
Kernan quickly became a huge energy source from wing back when breaking into the team in 2005 but at 23 he still has a long road to travel before reaching full maturity as an intercounty player.
Peter McDonnell took up the Bainisteoir bib but hardly altered the mentality now ingrained.
They continue to hit hard and, if anything, the direct ball into a rejuvenated Clarke and Steven McDonnell has become more prevalent this season.
"They're hugely important to us due to the style of football we play," adds Aaron Kernan. "We try and maybe get it direct into the full-forward line. The two boys can win any sort of ball no matter what way you put it in to them, as long as you get it in good and early.
"Stephen (Kernan) has been feeding off them well this year. He has got a couple of scores. So the two boys aren't just score-getters - they are bringing other men into the game. Hopefully they can keep their form up."
It is four years since the day that perhaps robbed Armagh of a second All-Ireland title. Having rebounded from defeat in the 2003 All-Ireland final against Tyrone, they blazed through Ulster, emptying a decent Donegal side in the Croke Park provincial final before returning to Dublin for another local rivalry in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
Fermanagh had faltered too regularly under pressure to be considered a serious threat back then. But a late Tom Brewster point ensured the unthinkable came to pass.
Mayo dealt with Fermanagh in a semi-final replay before capitulating against a Kerry team some distance off the standard they went on to set in 2006 and 2007. Plenty of the 2004 Fermanagh cast members are back on stage this Sunday.
"Fermanagh, I suppose, are definitely a team to be reckoned with now because at the start of the championship most people had tipped either Derry or Monaghan to win Ulster and now Fermanagh have beaten both of them to get to a provincial final.
"We'll not be silly enough to fall into the trap about the Fermanagh team of old - when maybe they were here for a day out. They'll be coming to Clones with no fear. They'll be going to win. It's up to us to be at the peak of our powers."
