McGeeney sets sights high but Down run out of road

Orchard boss McGeeney felt Down’s heroic win over Donegal just seven days ago took too much out of them

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney with supporters after the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Armagh and Down 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 leading 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.

Orchard boss Kieran McGeeney felt Down’s heroic win over Donegal just seven days ago took too much out of them and they didn’t display their true potential at Clones.

“It’s great to get through to an Ulster final again, it really is,” McGeeney after their largest every Ulster Championship victory over Down.

“In terms of the scoreline, I wouldn’t read too much into it. The Donegal game, we knew it was going to one way or the other with Down. It was either going to give them a bit of energy or zap their energy.

“The performance they put in last week probably took its toll so I wouldn’t say it was a true reflection of what Down can do. I know Conor is doing a brilliant job there but we’ve all had those games where things can just run away from us and it was just one of those.” 

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.

In a fortnight’s time, Armagh are chasing their first Ulster title since 2008 and after the heartache of the past three years, two penalty shootouts defeats and one extra time loss, and it’s Monaghan that stand in their way this time around.

“It’d be great to get one but I still believe there’s a lot to play for in terms of getting a home venue for the (All-Ireland Championship) seeding,” McGeeney continued.

“There’s a lot of fellas in there would want an Ulster Championship medal too, I’ve been lucky enough as a player (to win it). But I still maintain, if you’re asking me which I’d like more, if I’d a choice, I’d still be going for the bigger one.”

Armagh scorers: 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.

Down scorers: 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: B Hughes; P McGrane, A McKay, P Burns; J McElroy, T Kelly, J Og Burns; J Duffy, A Murnin, G McCabe, D McMullan, T McCormack; O Conaty, C Turbitt, C McConville. 

Subs: O O’Neill for McCabe (50), D Magee for Murnin (52), G Murphy for McElroy (55), T Glavin for Turbitt (59), A O’Neill for Conaty (60).

DOWN: R Burns; P Fegan, P Laverty, C Rogers; C Mooney, S Annett, D Guinness; O Murdock, R McEvoy; M Rooney, C Doherty, P McPolin; A Crimmins, P Havern, J McGeough. 

Subs: L Kerr for McGeough (25), J Doran for Crimmins (HT), R Magill for Rooney (39), B O’Hagan for Havern (46), F McElroy for McPolin (55), T Close for McEvoy (62-70 blood sub).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).