Kerry booked their place in this year's All-Ireland under-21 football final after an impressive victory over Ulster champions Armagh in the semi-final at Parnell Park, Dublin, on Saturday.

The occasion seemed to weigh heavily on Armagh, competing at this stage for the first time, and they laboured under the tension and produced a disjointed first-half performance, scoring only a single point, from Philip Oldham.

There were no such problems for Kerry in the early stages and they looked like swamping their Northern opponents, showing glimpses of their true capabilities on more than on occasion. A goal by Noel Kennelly after nine minutes, along with eight points before half-time from the Kerry half forward line of Aodan Mac Gearailt (four), Liam Brosnan (two), Pa O'Sullivan, (two), and Armagh feared the worst.

Instead of hoisting the white flag for the second period, Armagh produced a spirited revival pulling back to within five points of the Munster champions with scores from Stephen McDonnell (two), Patrick McKeever (two), Peter Loughran (two) and one point each for Barry Duffy and John Toal.

Pa O'Sullivan pointed to quell the Armagh onslaught and calm Kerry's jitters.

Further scores from Ian Twiss and O'Sullivan helped Kerry pull away.

Kerry: D Moloney; M McCarthy, T O'Sullivan, K Leen; D Sheehan, T O Se, M Beckett; T Griffin, E Fitzmaurice; A MacGearailt (0-5), P O'Sullivan (0-4), L Brosnan (0-3); J Dennehy, N Kennelly (1-1), B Scanlon. Subs: I Twiss (0-1) for Dennehy; MF Russell for Scanlon; M Burke for Beckett.

Armagh: P Hearty; B McArdle, T McEntee, K McElvanna; S O'Hare, P Watters, J Toal (0-1); A O'Neill, J McEntee; D McAuley, P Oldham (0-1), P McKeever (0-2); P Loughran (0-2), B Duffy (0- 1), N McParland. Subs: S McDonnell (0-2) for McParland; D Loye for Oldham.

Referee: S McCormack (Meath).