Score of the game: Campbell and McKay produce the goods
BENCH PRESS: Armagh's Stefan Campbell celebrates after Aaron McKay scores the side’s goal. Pic: Tom Maher, Inpho
There were 46 minutes on the clock when Stefan Campbell rose from the bench. He and Ross McQuillan came on with Tiernan Kelly and Conor Turbitt making way. Seconds later, he delivered the jolt this decider needed.
To be precise, the clock read 46.25 as he collected possession from midfielder Ben Crealey on the left wing and raced towards goal. It was a well-timed support run off the shoulder.
He bounced and soloed with his right side. He handpassed towards goal with his left. Liam Silke had started to approach and raised his hands in a bid to intercept the ball but it advanced uninterrupted to the edge of the square.
Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson came for it, but Aaron McKay was faster. The full-back palmed in the finish to turn a one-point deficit into a two-point lead. Armagh were never behind again.
Campbell wasn’t flawless in this All-Ireland final. He kicked a wide during a frantic closing quarter but ultimately, in a contest that was always liable to swing on one moment, he produced it.
Armagh’s substitutions as a whole were stronger. Oisin O’Neill was also superb and scored a point.
They took their opportunities too. Galway finished with a 47% conversion rate in the second half. Armagh’s was 67%.
The Clan na Gael star didn’t start against Galway in the Sam Maguire series clash. He came on and scored the decisive point that day. He scored off the bench against Roscommon in the quarter-final and did it again against Kerry in the semi-final.
Before Sunday, he had hit a total of 1-10, tied second for their scorers from play.
He didn’t score on Sunday yet his contribution was still colossal. List his achievements this season and it has all the necessary components for an All-Star.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
