Ulster SFC semi-final: Armagh defeats Down 0-13 to 2-6
Saturday saw Armagh secure their spot in the Ulster senior football championship final in a challenging and fiery semi-final against Down. The match took place at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, attracting a crowd of over 12,000 fans.
The match was primarily marked by fierce competition for ball control, with silky play largely sidelined in favour of maintaining possession, whatever the cost. The opening half was evenly poised, with Rian O’Neill and Aidan Forker scoring for Armagh, and Rory Grugan flawlessly netting from a free-kick, balancing the score against the Mournemen. The latter’s score in this portion came via a goal from Ceilum Doherty, supplemented with points from Shealan Johnston and Pat Havern.
Referee Liam Devenney was kept extremely busy in this game, particularly in the second half which further highlighted the physical nature of both teams. Down, led by Ryan Magill’s goal, took a lead of 2-4 to 0-8, leading many to speculate if they could clinch the overall victory, especially after Ryan Johnston and Havern also managed to score. Under the leadership of Conor Laverty, it seemed Down had found a new vigour.
Yet Armagh’s determination did not waver. Rory Grugan, Oisín O’Neill and Aidan Nugent responded with a trio of points, which culminated in Jason Duffy, a late substitute, scoring a stunning winning point in extra time, securing Armagh’s place in their second consecutive final.
Team Manager, Kieran McGeeney, was evidently elated post-match, and his attention now shifts towards changing their luck in the upcoming final after Armagh’s previous defeat to Derry in a penalty shoot-out last year.
Following the semifinal, McGeeney expressed his admiration for how his team managed to remain cool-headed under high stress conditions. Drawing attention to the team’s past difficulties with similar games, he highlighted the win as a significant milestone. As he reflected on the future match in the Ulster final, McGeeney emphasised the potential change in football style they might face and the need for his team to remain composed, regardless of pressure.
McGeeney also noted that the team’s adversaries in the upcoming Ulster final would differ from last year’s opposition, suggesting that adaptation and preparedness would be crucial. He acknowledged the harsh reality of sports, drawing parallels to last year’s disappointment, but reiterated the importance of striving to ultimately succeed.
Despite the hope for an improved performance in the Ulster final, McGeeney stressed that securing a win was, in the end, the most significant factor of the day’s match.
Conor Laverty, Down’s boss, conceded how they had intensely prepared for the match but fell short towards the end. He noted that a lack of additional scores in critical moments led to their defeat. Laverty pointed out their need for further development in their finishing capacity, despite being cognizant of this issue.
Their ongoing efforts to enhance this aspect were also acknowledged. Laverty described the missed late scoring opportunities as a poignant letdown. The match’s Armagh players included B Hughes, P Burns, A McKay, P McGrane, J McElroy, C Mackin, A Forker, R O’Neill, B Crealey, S Campbell, R Grugan, O Conaty, C Turbitt, A Murnin, and Jarly Óg Burns.
Referee Liam Devenney from Mayo oversaw the game. Substitutes brought in were J Duffy (0-1) coming in for Crealey after 49 minutes of play, then O O’Neill (0-1, mark) replaced J Burns after 53 minutes, and D McMullen replaced Campbell at the hour mark, while A Nugent (0-1) subbed in for Conaty at 65 minutes.
In the DOWN team, the lineup was as follows: J O’Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, and C Doherty (1-0) who was flanked by M Rooney, P Laverty, and S Johnston; it was J Flynn partnering O Murdock in the midfield; with D Guinness (0-1), R Magill (1-1), and J Guinness up top; they were supported by R Johnston (0-1), F McElroy and Pat Havern (0-2, 2f) as well as F McElroy.
The substitutes for the DOWN team included L Kerr substituting for James Guinness at half time, D Magill (0-1) replacing Flynn at the 42nd minute, B O’Hagan coming in for Rooney at the 52nd minute, O Savage replacing Havern at 60 minutes, and finally S Annett coming in for O’Hagan at the 65th minute.