Armagh fend off Derry comeback to win opening group match

Armagh made it nervy for the 15,000 spectators in the Box-It Athletic Grounds, but they did enough to fend off a Derry fightback and win their opening game.

The Orchard County led by as much as 13 points during the second half, but the Oak Leaf County hit back with two goals and a few two-pointers to create a tense finish.

However, Armagh did enough in the end and got a crucial two points on the board in their fight to retain their Sam Maguire title.

Armagh on top at the break

The headline news on the day was the return to action of Rian O’Neill, who made his first appearance of the year.

His presence seemed to boost Armagh, as they raced into a 0-12 to 0-6 lead, powered by superb two-pointers by Oisin Conaty and Conor Turbitt. The home side were well on top, winning a succession of Derry kick outs, whilst wing players Jarly Og Burns, Ross McQuillan and Darragh McMullen injected energy into the performance.

However, Derry – having played against the breeze in the first half – remained within touching distance, trailing by just three points at the break.

Goals at both ends leads to dramatic finish

The third quarter belonged to Armagh, and they set out their stall for the second half by hitting the first four points of it, through McQuillan, Jason Duffy, Jarly Og Burns and Andrew Murnin. The Orchard’s chances of success grew even greater when a Murnin shot dropped short but was punched into the back of the Derry net by Barry McCambridge on 39 minutes.

Derry fashioned a response, which included a Shane McGuigan two-pointer, but Armagh looked to be well on their way to victory when Turbitt drove at the defence, shrugged off two tackles and finished low into the bottom of the net to push Armagh’s lead out – a lead which grew to 13 points when Ben Crealey made it 2-20 to 0-13.

Derry could have wilted, but to their credit they made a fist of it, with two goals in the space of a minute, coming from Conor Glass and Dan Higgins.

They indeed had six goal chances over the course of the second half, including for Tommy Rogers and Brendan Rogers, but Armagh shot stopper Ethan Rafferty stepped up with four incredible saves.

Derry kept the pressure on with further two-pointers from McGuigan and Paul Cassidy, but Armagh scored an insurance point via Joe McElroy.

However, with McGuigan and Glass missing two point shots, Kieran McGeeney’s men were able to hold on for a crucial win.

Scorers

Armagh: Conor Turbitt (1-2, 1tp), Oisin Conaty (0-4, 1tp), Andrew Murnin (0-3), Rory Grugan (0-3, 2f), Ross McQuillan (0-3), Barry McCambridge (1-0), Rian O’Neill (0-1), Jarly Og Burns (0-1), Jason Duffy (0-1), Ben Crealey (0-1), Darragh McMullen (0-1), Joe McElroy (0-1).

Derry: Conor Glass (1-3), Shane McGuigan (0-5, 1tp, 1tpf), Paul Cassidy (0-4, 1tp), Dan Higgins (1-0), Ethan Doherty (0-2), Niall Toner (0-1, 1f), Ruairi Forbes (0-1), Padraig McGrogan (0-1, 1’45).

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).