Football

Armagh SFC: Pearse Óg record comfortable win over Madden

Anto Duffy (left) was the inspiration behind Pearse Óg's victory over Madden  
Anto Duffy (left) was the inspiration behind Pearse Óg's victory over Madden   Anto Duffy (left) was the inspiration behind Pearse Óg's victory over Madden  

Armagh SFC: Pearse Óg 3-16 Madden 3-9

THE city side bounced back from their opening round annihilation by St Pat's to record comfortable victory over a weakened Madden outfit in the Qualifers at Ballymacnab.

Óg's success was fashioned by a superb display by Anto Duffy just back from the States, his brilliant goal helping them to a 1-8 to 1-4 interval lead, Madden's green flag raised by Ryan Morgan in the opening minute.

A Chris Rafferty goal immediately on the restart consolidated the Óg's position and though Niall Smith, Liam Grimley and Enda Mallon replied with minors the contest looked done and dusted when Tiernan Donnelly widened the gap to 3-12 to 1-7 with a fisted goal.

Points were traded by Ryan Morgan and Donnelly and Aaron McKenna and the impressive Conor Nugent before the Raparees pounced for two goals within as many minutes from Conor and Ryan Grimley However, the losers were comprehensively outplayed at various phases and a late point from captain Marc Cullen rounded off a fully deserved triumph for the green and gold brigade.

Dromintee 0-15 Annaghmore 0-11

ANNAGHMORE waved goodbye to their championship aspirations outsmarted by a more experienced Dromintee side in Saturday's Qualifier at Abbey Park.

Dromintee free-taker Shane McCoy, a late replacement for injured key forward Christopher Lynch, was in excellent form, hitting a number of sweet scores all off the ground. He was able assisted by county 21 star Conor Martin, who contributed several fine scores from play.

Annaghmore's county senior panellist Oisin MacIomhair was a huge threat in the opening half, a threat that was significantly curtailed on the turnover by the marking of Conor Hoe. The midfield dominance of Darren McKenna and Gareth McCrink assisted the South Armagh man to a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead. Oisin MacIomhair(2), Ciaran MacIomhair and John McCormack the Annaghmore marksmen.

The Dromintee lead could have been greater had it not have been for a superlative stop by former county custodian Matthew McNeice, who also nailed a '45 in the second period. Two Conor Cullen frees along with that McNeice conversion had it down to a point but Dromintee once more began dominating the kick outs and reeled off three unanswered scores.

The continued accuracy of McCoy and Martin helped Dromintee kick on to a fully deserved victory in which Ryan Gaskin and Aaron Boyle also made a significant contribution. For the vanquished the MacIomhair brothers, Conor Cullen, Matthew McNeice and the McQuade's kept their shoulder to the wheel.