Armagh demolition job sends Down to Tailteann Cup

Kieran McGeeney's side found top gear against their old rivals.

Paddy Burns of Armagh is tackled by Daniel Guinness of Down during the Ulster SFC semi at St Tiernach's Park in Clones, Monaghan. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Ulster SFC semi-final: Armagh 3-33 Down 0-14 

A second quarter surge from Armagh saw them qualify for a fourth consecutive Ulster final as they put old rivals Down to the sword, consigning Conor Laverty’s men to the Tailteann Cup following Westmeath’s Leinster semi-final win over Kildare.

After 13 minutes of action, Down were led 0-5 to 0-3 and looked in control against the 2024 All-Ireland champions, but it was all orange and white for the remainder of the game.

Tomas McCormack and Conor Turbitt fired home goals as Armagh rattled off 2-9 to Down’s lowly reply of 0-2 to see out the half. That gave Kieran McGeeney’s side an 11-point lead when the sides headed for the changing rooms.

Down had done so well on their own kickouts up to that point, with three of their five scores coming off Ronan Burns’ restarts, but it when McCormack pounced on a break ball spilled by Odhran Murdock, Armagh moved with menace.

Ultimately, it was the Annaghmore man who smashed home his second goal of the championship and when the next green flag was raised, it was down to an Armagh kickout.

Blaine Hughes, who made his championship debut against the Mourne men back in 2017, was a late addition to the starting line-up and he found Darragh McMullan with inch-perfect placement.

Burns had pressed the Orchard kickout and with the Down netminder at sea, McMullan powered past him and lofted a lovely pass towards the square where Conor Turbitt lay in wait to palm the ball to the net.

Pat Havern, who had a nightmare in front of the posts, converting two of his five efforts in the first half, screwed over a score with the final action of the half, leaving Down with a mountain to climb after the turnaround, 2-12 to 0-7.

The second half was much the same and Armagh accounted for the first five scores and looked like rising a flag every time they attacked. Down hunted for goals and Hughes saved Daniel Guinness’ daisy-cutter from 30 yards before denying Liam Kerr from close range.

Ryan Magill blasted his effort over the bar and Armagh responded instantly from the kickout, with McCormack fisting a point. Conaty landed a brace while Turbitt eased over a free after Down coach, and Armagh All-Ireland winner Tony McEntee, picked up a yellow card.

Armagh’s third major came in between two Down points as Turbo beautiful directed the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Both sides tagged on consolation scores in the final quarter, but the result was beyond doubt well before then.

Scorers for Armagh: Conor Turbitt 2-5 (3f), Oisin Conaty 0-5, Tomas McCormack 1-2, Jarly Og Burns 0-4, Oisin O’Neill 0-4 (1tp), Andrew Murnin 0-3, Cian McConville 0-3 (1f), Darragh McMullan 0-2 (1tp), Aaron O’Neill 0-2 (1tp), Peter McGrane 0-1, Tiernan Kelly 0-1, Jason Duffy 0-1.

Scorers for Down: Daniel Guinnes 0-4, Pat Havern 0-2 (1f), Barry O’Hagan 0-2, Ryan Magill 0-2, Liam Kerr 0-2, Shane Annett 0-1, Odhran Murdock 0-1.

ARMAGH: Blaine Hughes; Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Paddy Burns; Joe McElroy, Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Og Burns; Jason Duffy, Andrew Murnin, Greg McCabe, Darragh McMullan, Tomas McCormack; Oisin Conaty, Conor Turbitt, Cian McConville. 

Subs: Oisin O’Neill for McCabe (50), Daniel Magee for Murnin (52), Gareth Murphy for McElroy (55), Tomas Glavin for Turbitt (59), Aaron O’Neill for Conaty (60).

DOWN: Ronan Burns; Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Callum Rogers; Caolan Mooney, Shane Annett, Daniel Guinness; Odhrán Murdock, Ryan McEvoy; Micéal Rooney, Ceilum Doherty, Pearse McPolin; Adam Crimmins, Pat Havern, John McGeough. 

Subs: Liam Kerr for McGeough (25), Jamie Doran for Crimmins (HT), Ryan Magill for Rooney (39), Barry O’Hagan for Havern (46), Finn McElroy for McPolin (55), Tom Close for McEvoy (62-70 blood sub).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).