Football

All-Ireland SFC Qualifying round three - how the Mayo players rated

Colm Boyle was excellent in Mayo's narrow victory over Armagh on Saturday night. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Colm Boyle was excellent in Mayo's narrow victory over Armagh on Saturday night. Picture by Seamus Loughran Colm Boyle was excellent in Mayo's narrow victory over Armagh on Saturday night. Picture by Seamus Loughran

David Clarke: Got fingertips on Jamie Clarke’s goalbound shot as Armagh chased the game. Also dealt well with a dangerous high ball into the square searching for O’Neill. 7

Chris Barrett: Started well on Clarke as Mayo edged the first half battle, but was taken to the cleaners several times after the break. 6

Brendan Harrison: Struggled on O’Neill in the early stages and was moved off him after 17 minutes. Went onto Grugan but was nowhere to be seen for the Ballymacnab man’s late goal chance. 6

Keith Higgins: Operated at wing-back but there was little evidence of his trademark bursts from deep. 6

Lee Keegan: Was moved onto O’Neill after just 17 minutes and limited his influence, until an ankle injury forced him from the field just before half-time. 6.5

Colm Boyle: Aidan Nugent has been one of Armagh’s better players this Championship but was largely quiet while Boyle was on him. Played more of an attacking sweeper role later in the game, raiding effectively from deep. 7.5

Patrick Durcan: Found Campbell more than a handful at times. The Lurgan man drifted in and out of the game but gave Durcan a hard time, especially late in the second half. 6.5

Mikey Murray: Named at wing-forward but dropped back to midfield and did well on Jarly Og Burns. Surprisingly withdrawn three minutes after the break. 7

Aidan O’Shea: Not as influential as against Down the previous week, but still so dominant as Mayo pushed Armagh back in the latter stages of the first half. 7

Fionn McDonagh: Started brilliantly, firing home Mayo’s first goal seven minutes in and looking a threat any time he got on the ball. Less effective as the game wore on. 7

Conor Loftus: Scored two frees, missed two, and struggled to get into the game. Withdrawn after half-time. 6

Ciaran Treacy: Has done well from the bench in previous games but made little impact after being brought into the starting 15. 6

Jason Doherty: Worked hard but still lacking the magic that made him such a force a few years back. Scored a nice point but not at his best again. 6

Andy Moran: Made some good runs and played a nice ball across the square to set up McDonagh’s goal. Got little change from Armagh after and was hooked before half-time. 6

Darren Coen: See Star Man

Substitutes

Kevin McLoughlin: Replaced Moran and his performance justified Horan’s decision. Clever movement makes him so hard to pin down, and scored the decisive second goal after a brilliant and finish. 7.5

Stephen Coen: Came on for injured the Keegan and did a good job in keeping O’Neill quiet during the second half. 7

Donal Vaughan: Came on early in the second half and did a solid job on Burns, picking up where Murray left off and scoring a point into the bargain. 6.5

Cillian O’Connor: Wasn’t involved from play after coming off the bench in the 48th minute, but kicked two important frees late on. 6.5

Fergal Boland: Came on when Armagh were coming on strong, found himself part of Mayo’s rearguard action. 6

Evan Regan: Not on long enough to be rated.

STAR MAN

Darren Coen (Mayo)

AT a time when Jamie Clarke was finding his stride and Armagh looked to turn the screw on an injury-ravaged Mayo side, it was Coen who stepped up with three superb scores in the second half. A natural finisher, and looked dangerous all night. 8