Sport

Back in the day: Mar 15 1998: Derry triumph as ref riles Armagh

CLOSE CONTEST...Derry’s Stephen McLarnon (left) in a tussle for possession with Armagh’s Andrew McCann at Celtic Park yesterday
CLOSE CONTEST...Derry’s Stephen McLarnon (left) in a tussle for possession with Armagh’s Andrew McCann at Celtic Park yesterday CLOSE CONTEST...Derry’s Stephen McLarnon (left) in a tussle for possession with Armagh’s Andrew McCann at Celtic Park yesterday

THIS seemed the first day of the footballing summer – two hugely committed teams, Armagh and Derry, at last grappling for something tangible.

Derry, with the help of a couple of controversial decisions from Galway referee Mick Curley, earned yesterday’s spoils in the shape of National League Div 1 football next year and more championship-style match practice in the coming weeks.

Armagh headed home wearily wondering when they will emerge on the right side of a tight result after going under 1-15 to 2-10.

But the team managed by the two Brians, McAlinden and Canavan, should not be despondent as this was far from the Armagh performance in Healy Park last summer.

In the end one contested refereeing decision cost Armagh the draw which they deserved.

With two minutes left and Armagh a point in arrears, Kieran McGeeney broke past the Derry 21-metre line and was fouled by a Oak Leaf defender.

Baffingly, referee Curley decided that McGeeney, who had barely taken two steps had over-carried.

Free out.

Derry: D McCusker, K McKeever, H Downey, P Diamond, J McBride (0-1), S Lockhart, P McFlynn, A Tohill, D Dougan (0-1), G McGill (1-2), G Coleman (0-2), E Burns (0-2), J Brolly (0-5), D Heaney (0-1), S McLarnon (0- 1).

Subs: S Downey for McFlynn (47).

Armagh: B Tierney, J Rafferty, G Reid, T McEntee, M McQuillan, J McNulty, A McCann, J Burns, P McGrane, K McGeeney, J McEntee (0-1), B O’Hagan, O McConville (2-1), N Smyth (0-1), D Marsden (0-7).

Referee: M Curley (Galway)

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Westmeath win send Saffrons tumbling

RAY McDonnell's Antrim sank to Division Four football after crashing 1-12 to 0-9 to Westmeath in the NFL Section B clash at Mullingar yesterday.

It took Antrim 16 minutes to find the target, although the woodwork came to Westmeath’s rescue.

Joe Quinn and Mickey Boyle hit the crossbar in quick succession in the fourth minute after Michael Murtagh put the home side in front.

Antrim ultimately paid the penalty for a slow start but with the young panel will have time to gain to experience and improve in Division 4 next season.

Westmeath: D Ryan, A Canning, D Murphy, D Brady, D Healy, C Ryan, D Gavin, J Cooney (0-2), P Conway, M Staunton (0- 1), M Murtagh (0-2), D Martin (0-1), J Deehan (0-1), K Lyons (0-2), G Heavin (0-2).

Sub: C Colearly (1-0).

Antrim: D Shannon, P McCann (0-1), M Mulholland, T McCrudden, G Adams, P Graffin, T Convery, C O’Neill (0-2), J Murphy (0-1), M Boyle (0-1), C McCabe (0-2), D Swail, K Brady, J Quinn, K Madden (0-2).

Referee: Sean McHale (Mayo).

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A CURIOUS crossbar calamity, 21 officials with hammers and nails, and a late, late goal by George Doyle almost left Connacht champions Mayo seeing stars.

David Brady sparked the injury-time antics when his stunning shot crashed off the bar into the net for a 1-14 to 1-10 Mayo lead.

Brady’s piledriver remarkably broke the crossbar.

After several minutes of frantic repairs, Laois came close to leapfrogging John Maughen’s men into the quarter-finals. Doyle struck a quick goal on the restart, but time ran out.