Ulster SFC: Impressive Armagh advance

Ulster SFC Semi-Final

Armagh 3-33 Down 0-14

By Steve Malone at St Tiernach's Park, Clones

Armagh inflicted their biggest ever championship win over neighbours Down.

From the highs of beating defending Ulster champions to be competing in the Tailteann Cup is Down’s reality, while Armagh are now looking to lift the Anglo-Celtic Cup for the first time since 2008.

The colour, the atmosphere was magnificent as 27, 423 fans made themselves known at the start of the game, but there wasn’t as many left in the Clones stadium by the time the last hooter sound.

Armagh were magnificent, clinical and bursting with pace and for the second week in a row with have racked over 3-30, which is impressive scoring.

Armagh announced late changes with Blaine Hughes returning to the number one goalkeeper position, while Joe McElroy came in for the injured Ross McQuillan. Down played as selected. Armagh led by 11-points at the break and weren’t showing any signs to slowing up.

Down began the game playing with the gusto and style that saw them ambush Donegal last week and they raced into a 0-5 to 0-2 early lead.

Daniel Guinness took only seven seconds before sliding over a point after Odhran Murdock’s fine fetch. Pat Havern (free), the unmarked Guinness again, Shane Annett and Murdock had Down confidently leading with 13 minutes gone.

Armagh had chances, but only Oisin Conaty and Conor Turbitt registered scores, but the game turned two minutes later when Tomas McCormack fired into the net after slick passing between Jarly Og Burns and Turbitt.

The Orchard men found their groove, with Jarly Og Burns, Turbitt (free) and Cian McConville tagging on points and the came their second goal, Murnin raided goalkeeper Ronan Burns, who was situated around his own 45 and the Armagh dropped the ball towards the square where the in-rushing Turbitt fisted home.

Nothing was going Down’s way, as their wides tally racked up. Jarly Óg Burns did a fine job to disturb Odhran Murdock’s influence and they only scored two points in the last 20 minutes of the first half, with Guinness and a lovely score from Pat Havern, but Armagh’s Murnin, Conaty and Tiernan Kelly had raised more white flags for the Kieran McGeeney’s men.

Armagh increased their lead by five points, holding Down scoreless in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Turbitt, Murnin, a beauty of a two-pointer from Darragh McMullen and Jason Duffy doing the needful, while substitute Ryan Magill did reply for Down.

Turbitt’s second goal on 55 minutes had given Armagh 3-23 to 0-10 lead over Down and there was no way back from Conor Laverty’s side, even though substitute Barry O’Hagan landed two points.

Armagh kept increasing the margin with substitute Oisin O’Neill grabbing 0-4, while his younger brother Aaron kicked a marvellous two-pointer with his first touch, on his championship debut. There was also debut for Armagh’s Tomas Galvin as Down was long in their rearview mirror.

Armagh: Blaine Hughes, Peter McGrane (0-1), Aaron McKay, Paddy Burns, Joe McElroy, Tiernan Kelly (0-1), Jarly Og Burns (0-5), Jason Duffy (0-1) , Andrew Murnin (0-3), Greg McCabe, Darragh McMullan (0-2, 1tp), Tomas McCormack (1-2), Oisin Conaty (0-5), Conor Turbitt (2-5, 3fs), Cian McConville (0-2)

Subs: Oisin O’Neill (0-4, 1tp) for McCabe (50’), Daniel Magee for Murnin (52’), Gareth Murphy for McElroy (54’), Tomas Glavin for Turbitt (58’), Aaron O’Neill (0-02, 1tp) for Conaty (59’).

Down: Ronan Burns, Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Callum Rogers, Caolan Mooney, Shane Annett (0-1), Daniel Guinness (0-4), Odhran Murdock (0-1), Ryan McEvoy, Micael Rooney, Ceilum Doherty, Pearse McPolin, Adam Crimmins, Pat Havern (0-2, 1f), John McGeough.

Subs: Liam Kerr (0-2) for McGeough (25’), Jamie Doran for Crimmins (ht’), Ryan Magill (0-2) for Rooney (38’), Barry O’Hagan (0-02, 0-1f) for Havern (46’), Finn McElroy for McPolin (54’), Tom Close for McEvoy (61’).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).