Armagh claim Division Two title

Armagh 0-17 Down 1-12

A rip-roaring Ulster derby saw Armagh win the NFL Division Two final at Croke Park today.

A decider played at a pace that reminded a crowd of around 20,000 that the championship is just around the corner was level six times, before the Orchard men pulled away in the closing stages.

For Armagh manager and former Down captain Paddy O’Rourke, this was a surreal experience, but the Orchard faithful are already looking forward to their Ulster Championship opener against Derry at Celtic Park in three weeks.

Two Steven McDonnell scores and an Aaron Kernan free had Armagh ahead by 0-3 to 0-0 by the fourth minute, but Down got their challenge going when Benny Coulter fired over a long-range effort in the sixth minute.

Martin Clarke stroked four frees between the posts, but Armagh kept their noses in front with scores from wing backs Finian Moriarity and Paul Duffy, along with a well-taken Gareth Swift point.

McDonnell almost got in for a goal when he collected Brian Mallon’s long delivery but sent his shot zipping wide at the far post from a tight angle.

Down had threatened, but missed some excellent scoring changes, however they did eventually go in front in the 35th minute when Paul McComiskey curled over a delightful score from wide on the left.

But there was still time for the brilliant McDonnell to shoot two stoppage-time points, which sent his side in with a 0-8 to 0-7 advantage.

Peter Fitzpatick and Aaron Kernan exchanged scores in the cagey opening stages of the second half, but the game burst into life in the 45th minute when Clarke floated a ’45 towards the far post, and Coulter ghosted in to punch to the net

A defensive error gave the Mayobridge star the opportunity to punish and stretch the advantage, but soon the sides were level for the fourth time when Gareth Swift and McDonnell were on target

Clarke drilled a 50 metre free between the posts, but the sides could not be separated, substitute Stefan Forker coming in to fire over for Armagh.

Aaron Kernan’s fourth converted free regained the lead for the Orchard, and it was substitute Malachy Mackin who hit the two late points which sealed the title.

Armagh: P Hearty, A Mallon, B Donaghy, B Shannon, P Duffy (0-1), C McKeever, F Moriarity (0-1), J Lavery, K Toner, C Vernon, A Kernan (0-5, 5f), G Swift (0-2), B Mallon, S McDonnell (0-6, 1f, 1 ’45), R Henderson.

Subs: J Clarke for B Mallon, M Mackin (0-2) for Lavery, S Forker (0-1) for Henderson

Down: B McVeigh, D McCartan, B McArdle, A Brannigan, K McKernan, J Colgan, C Garvey (0-1), P Fitzpatrick (0-1), K King (0-1), S Kearney, M Clarke (0-5, 5f) D Hughes (0-1), P McComiskey (0-1), J Clarke, B Coulter (1-2).

Subs: C Maginn for Kearney, C Laverty for J Clarke, D Gordon for Fitzpatrick, R Murtagh for McComiskey, K Duffin for McKernan

Referee: G O Conamha (Galway).