Armagh seal final spot

Armagh were lucky to reach the Nicky Rackard Cup final after a less than convincing display against Roscommon in the semi-final on Saturday.

The home side scored four goals inside the opening 25 minutes in Crossmaglen, with Martin Maguire scoring the first after 40 seconds. Fiachra Bradley and a brace from Conor Corvan saw them establish a healthy lead.

Roscommon pulled a goal back through their top-scorer James Coyne on 32 minutes but Armagh still led 4-4 to 1-10 at half-time.

Roscommon dominated around midfield and could easily have snatched a win towards the end, but Armagh sub John Corvan hit two late points to get them over the line.

Scorers for Armagh: D Carvill 0-6, C Corvan 2-0, F Bradley, M Maguire 1-0 each, D Coulter, J Corvan 0-2 each, P McCormack, C Carvill 0-1 each.

Scorers for Roscommon: J Coyne 1-4, G Fallon, B Donnelly, D Nolan, M Kelly 0-2 each, D Dolan, K Egan, E Mulry, B Kelly, S Curley 0-1 each.

ARMAGH: F Doherty, K McKernan, C Clifford, C McKee, R McGrattan, N Curry, P Gaffney, R Gaffney, P McCormack, M Maguire, C Carvill, D Carvill, F Bradley, D Coulter, C Corvan.

Subs: J Keane for Curry, N Duffy for D Carvill, J Corvan for Bradley.

ROSCOMMON: D Dowd, B Donnelly, S Curley, D Fallon, S Melia, M Kelly, P Kelly, G Fallon, D Nolan, B Kelly, J Coyne, K Conneely, D Dolan, S McDermott, K Egan.

Subs: E Mulry for D Dolan, E Kenny for S McDermott.

Referee: Eamonn Hasson (Derry).