It was fitting that Andrew McCann made the defining contribution in what was arguably Armagh's most important match since 1977. With a steady line of supporters filing from the stands and Kerry fans whistling for the referee to finish, the Armagh half-back embarked on a typically spirited charge upfield.
"I knew once I saw Andy head forward that he would go for broke. All the half-back line players like to attack anyway, our policy is that attack is the best form of defence," says co-manager Brian McAlinden.
"And at that stage of the game, we had to go for it, it didn't matter whether we lost by one point or four. We needed a goal."
The Armagh front six contains a number of well documented players but most observers of Armagh football would agree that the soul of the side runs through shirt numbers five, six and seven.
Team captain and centre-half back Kieran McGeeney is perhaps the team's strongest personality, out-going and direct off the field, in turn abrasive and creative on the pitch. Very much the fulcrum of the defence, it could be argued that his overall dominance inadvertently eclipses the focus placed on his wing men, McCann and Kieran Hughes. Not that either mind.
"Kieran certainly is a strong person and someone that the entire squad looks to for leadership and inspiration. He has developed a real understanding with Andy and Keiran but yes, unquestionably he is the leader of that line and throughout the field," comments McAlinden.
The quiet diligence and skill which McCann has brought to bear in the Armagh defence has been attracting growing attention as the team continued to make progress over the past three years. A relentless, shadowing defender, McCann is purposeful and imaginative while in possession. He is the type of footballer who appears to have he athleticism, mental agility and artillery to play in any number of positions.
"That's just it. We had long identified Andrew as a player of great potential and after the drawn game with Kerry, we were joking with him, telling we'd have to name him in about five positions for the next day. But Andrew is a very quiet, discreet sort of lad. He doesn't really invite much attention and I think could have done without all the inevitable praise his goal brought about. "He would just prefer to do the job and then slip off quietly."
McCann is from Portadown, a member of the Tir na Nog club. The local pitch is situated very close to Drumcree, almost alongside the contentious Orange marching route which has served to ignite political passions over the past half-decade. Although the defender is resident in Dublin now, he still plays for his home club.
"He always has done, returns very regularly. With both himself and Keiran (McGeeney) living in Dublin, they would spend a fair amount of time travelling for training with us and a bond has developed between them over time, a friendship which would have aided their on-field relationship," says McAlinden. McCann has, at various intervals, lined out at both full back and at midfield for his club and while at college but has excelled on the wing for Armagh.
"He probably has the versatility to make it in a number of areas of the field but has slotted in so well there. He has been with us now since 1997 and I think that in many respects, his contribution to the team has been under rated. But if you look at his record, it really is exemplary. He has come up against a lot of very good forwards and dealt with them comfortably. So the recognition that followed his goal was probably slow coming in that sense."
In the tumultuous seconds after that levelling goal - a low shot that slipped underneath the diving Declan O'Keeffe - McCann scurried back to his customary spot, Armagh regrouped and charged forward again. A team that has thrived on emotional waves for the past three years, enjoying brilliant bursts of sudden scoring, they sought to capitalise on McCann's inspirational reprieve.
This time it was McGeeney who stepped up, curling a delicate point that looked like the winner.
"It was a great goal by Andy and a fluke by me," the captain would say later.
It is likely that at some point on Saturday, we will see McCann on a trail-blazing path yet again. It is a spirit of adventure actively encouraged by the management.
"I'm sure there are certain people who would criticise us for that but it's the way we play. Andrew is capable of turning defensive situations into attacks so quickly and is a real threat going forward with the game. And those runs do not come at the expense of his defensive duties."
Indeed, the Armagh half-back line were typically economical throughout the draw. Kerry's wing forward trio of Aodhan McGearailt, Liam Hassett and Noel Kennelly were held to a point a piece and were each substituted in the second half. McCann and company have proven their most difficult test to date.
