Derry shock favourites Armagh

Derry 0-10 Armagh 0-9

Derry scored a shock win over Armagh in the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers at Clones today, and they did it the most sensational fashion, with a stoppage time winner from Colin Devlin.

Joe Kernan refused to discuss his future in the Orchard hotseat, but there is speculation that he may step down after six years in charge.

The Oak Leafers staged a strong finish after falling two points behind midway through the second half, and hit the final three points of the game to snatch a sweet victory.

Derry moved into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 18 minutes, with points from Paddy Bradley (free), Colin Devlin, Paul Murphy and a superb Barry McGoldrick effort.

The Armagh inside forward line struggled to get to grips with an Oak Leaf defence in which full-back Kevin McCloy was in inspired form, but even living off scraps of possession, Steven McDonnell managed to hook over a couple of trademark points.

Oisin McConville and Diarmuid Marsden also plundered scores, but with James Conway and Fergal Doherty getting the better of the midfield exchanges, it was Derry who called the shots,

Mark Lynch and Bradley added to their tally, and at the break, they deservedly led by 0-6 to 0-4.

Armagh, with Kieran McGeeney and Martin O’Rourke rising to the challenge, dominated the third quarter, and with points from McDonnell, Stephen Kernan and McConville, eased ahead by 0-9 to 0-7.

But the final 15 minutes belonged to a resurgent Derry, and two Paddy Bradley frees brought them level, before Devlin clipped over the winner two minutes into stoppage time.

Armagh: P Hearty, E McNulty, B Donaghy, A Mallon, A Kernan, K McGeeney, K McKeever, P McGrane, K Toner, P McKeever, S Kernan (0-2), M O'Rourke, S McDonnell (0-4, 1 ‘45’), D Marsden (0-1), O McConville (0-2).

Subs: K Dyas for McKeever, J Lavery for Toner, P Keenan for McKeever

Derry: S O’Kane, M McGoldrick, K McCloy, G O’Kane, L Hinphey, SM Lockhart, F McEldowney, F Doherty, J Conway, P Murphy (0-1), C Gilligan, M Lynch (0-1), C Devlin (0-2), P Bradley (0-5 (4 frees), B McGoldrick (0-1).

Subs: R Wilkinson for Gilligan, J Diver for Conway, J Keenan for Hinphey, G Donaghy for Lynch

Referee: E Murtagh (Longford)