Armagh ratings
Ethan Rafferty: He leapt to save a point in the first half and was involved in the build-up to Armagh’s opening score. Could rarely find an orange jersey with his restarts, particularly in the first half when he was kicking into a swirling wind. 5.5
James Morgan: Picked up Jamie Brennan and kept him scoreless although Brennan did have a few early chances. He was disciplined and determined and pushed forward at times too. 7
Aidan Forker: A typically committed marking display from the Maghery clubman. He had his hands full with Michael Murphy but stuck to his task and Murphy really started motoring when Forker limped off injured. 7
Aaron McKay: Given the task of marking Paddy McBrearty and he kept the Kilcar forward on the fringes of the game in the first half. But McBrearty hit back with a goal and a point in the second. 6
Niall Grimley: A square peg in a round hole. The Madden midfielder was played at wing half-back to combat Langan’s aerial ability. Never looked comfortable. Caught a great ball in the second half but then kicked it away and that summed up his afternoon. 5.5
Greg McCabe: Did his best to show for short kick-outs in the first half when Armagh were under the cosh. In the wars on a couple of occasions and did get forward for the final point of the game. 6
Jarly Og Burns: He scored Armagh’s first point but struggled to make an impact on it thereafter. Pushed into the full-forward line for the start of the second half. 6
Connaire Mackin: Couldn’t make an impact in midfield. Donegal ruled the skies in the first half and Mackin was second best to Hugh McFadden. 5.5
Ben Crealey: Scored a second half point but he was lost in the midfield maelstrom and could not get his hands on the ball when Armagh desperately needed to lift the Donegal siege in the first half. 6
Jemar Hall: Covers a lot of ground but he made little impact against a physical Donegal side yesterday and it was no surprise when he made way for Stefan Campbell. 5.5
Rory Grugan: Armagh’s best player on the day. Grugan did miss a difficult mark but he scored five excellent points and kept the Orchardmen in touch throughout the first half. Without possession to work with he wasn’t able to get his passing game going. 7.5
Tiernan Kelly: Started well and scored an early point but then faded. Conceded a rash free late in the first half when Armagh were under severe pressure. 6
Conor Turbitt: He had a single one-on-one opportunity and skinned Stephen McMenamin to score and put Armagh ahead. Had to live off scraps for the rest of the game. 6
Rian O’Neill: He hit two wides and couldn’t convert a difficult goal chance. Tightly marked by the impressive Brendan McCole, Armagh’s talisman never got going yesterday. 5.5
Jason Duffy: All the action was at the other end in the first half and Duffy wasn’t able to make an impression on proceedings. Substituted at half-time. 5.5
Subs:
Aidan Nugent: Armagh needed an impact from him but it wasn’t his day. Came on at half-time and sent two chances wide and had a shot saved by Patton. 5.5
Stefan Campbell: Should have been on earlier. Wasn’t introduced until after the Donegal goal when the game was up. Scored a fine point. 5.5
Oisin O’Neill: Another who could have been introduced earlier. Scored a point and was involved in two other scores. 6
Ross McQuillan: Replaced the injured Forker with 10 minutes to go. Couldn’t turn the tide. 5
