Armagh crush Donegal dreams

Armagh put in a superb display yesterday to ruin Donegal's chances of reaching the Nicky Rackard Cup final for the second successive year.

The Orchard county hurlers gained revenge for their footballers' Ulster championship exit against the same opposition as they emerged as 3-28 to 2-10 winners in today's semi-final in Keady.

Mattie Lennon's men, who lifted the NHL Division Three title last year, will have the chance to secure more silverware with a unique appearance at Croke Park for the Rackard Cup decider on August 11.

The semi was a disappointingly one-sided affair with Armagh shooting themselves into a 1-17 to 0-06 lead by the interval. Orchard duo Declan Coulter (1-06) and Ryan Gaffney (0-04) showed good accuracy throughout the first half.

Overwhelmed by Derry in last year's final, Donegal dug deep to fight their way back into contention with goals from half-forwards Kevin Campbell and Colm Breathnach.

But Armagh were put out of sight and on the road to Dublin when Coulter, who has only recently returned from injury, grabbed two further goals to round off his man-of-the-match display.

Armagh's opponents in the final will be Roscommon after the Connacht side pulled through in this evening's semi-final in Drogheda. The Rossies powered to a 2-13 to 0-05 win over hosts Louth to qualify for the final for the first time.

It will be a second national final of 2007 for David McConn's charges after they beat Sligo in April's National League Division Three decider.

Collins Connolly got off the mark early for Louth but they were left trailing by 0-04 to 0-03 by the tenth-minute with Mervyn Connaughton and Shane Sweeney hitting two points apiece for the Rossies.

Indeed, Louth failed to score for the remainder of the first half as the westerners moved 2-08 to 0-03 ahead by the interval. Tom Reddington and Colm Kelly scored the goals and the second half saw the game peter out.