Armagh get group stage off to winning start with five-point victory over Westmeath

Armagh showed great character this evening, responding to their Ulster final heartbreak with a five-point win over Westmeath.

The win sees the Orchard County get their All-Ireland Series group campaign off to the perfect start, with a trip to Derry up next.

Rory Grugan was outstanding, as not only did he finish as his side’s top scorer with 0-5, he had a hand in everything positive the Armagh attack conjured up. Defensively, Armagh were hard to break down as a unit, and Ciaran Mackin was once again a livewire from centre half back.

Whilst the final score-line was fairly comfortable, Armagh had it far from easy in the first half and led by just one at the break. However, the winning of the game came in the third quarter when they outscored Westmeath 0-5 to 0-0, with Oisin Conaty and Grugan scoring twice, as well as Andrew Murnin finding the mark.

It could have been more comfortable for Armagh, but Conaty was denied by an excellent Jason Daly save in a one on one. Orchard shot-stopper Blaine Hughes had an outstanding save of his own at the other end, as he got a fingertip to Stephen Smith’s shot in the final minute of the game.

As he did against Down and Donegal, Aidan Nugent once again made a telling contribution from the bench, scoring two points.

For full match report and more reaction see this week’s Newry Reporter – in shops Wednesday May 29!

MATCH STATS

Armagh: B Hughes; B McCambridge, A McKay, P McGrane, C O’Neill (0-1), C Mackin (0-1), A Forker; T Kelly (0-1), B Crealey; J McElroy, R Grugan (0-5, 3f), S Campbell (0-1); O Conaty (0-2), A Murnin (0-1), C Turbitt (0-2, 2f).

Subs: G McCabe for C O’Neill (26), O O’Neill for Crealey (HT), J Duffy for Campbell (51), A Nugent (0-2, 1f) for Turbitt (60), J Burns for Murnin (68).

Westmeath: J Daly; J Gonoud, K Maguire (0-2), J Dolan; S McCartan (0-2), R Wallace, C Drumm; R Connellan, A McCormack; J Lynam, R O'Toole (0-2), C Dillon; L Loughlin (0-1), J Heslin (0-3, 3f), R Forde (0-1).

Subs: M Whittaker for Dillon (40), D Lynch for Forde (54), K Martin for Gonoud (60), S Smith for Loughlin (68).

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)

Attendance: 5,989.