Football

Armagh player ratings: Andrew Murnin and Conor Turbitt star

Orchard lose out to Donegal after gripping Ulster final in Clones

Shane McParland celebrates scoring Armagh's first penalty - but the Lurgan man was unlucky to see his second saved by Shaun Patton in the shoot-out. Picture by Philip Walsh
Shane McParland celebrates scoring Armagh's first penalty - but the Lurgan man was unlucky to see his second saved by Shaun Patton in the shoot-out. Picture by Philip Walsh

Blaine Hughes: Pinged one kick-out right over the top of Donegal’s press to unleash Conaty for a first half score. His first shoot-out with Armagh as Ethan Rafferty was between the sticks for the previous three, but couldn’t stop any of Donegal’s penalties. 7

Paddy Burns: Relishes the one-on-one battle. Found Gallen too hot to handle in the first half but got to grips with the tricky Ballybofey man after the break. 6.5

Peter McGrane: Kept a tight enough rein on Niall O’Donnell in the opening exchanges but the Letterkenny man gradually grew in influence, kicking two worldies to drag Donegal back into the game. Moved on to Mogan later. 6

Aaron McKay: Solid. Moved onto McBrearty upon his introduction, but not close enough as the Kilcar man stroked over leveller with last score of normal time. 6.5

Greg McCabe: A calming, composed influence on his return to the starting 15. 6.5

Ciaran Mackin: Mixed day. Clipped over a class first half point but lost Shane O’Donnell for a score a few minutes later. Slipped and was caught in possession by McHugh as Donegal worked their way back into the game. 7

Aidan Forker: Curled over opening score in first minute, launched a few dangerous balls into the square – one of which led to a Turbitt score – and made a timely interception when McGee burst through in the first half. But really struggled with Mogan at times 7

Joe McElroy: Been a go-to man for snuffing out danger this year. Did well on O Baoill, before being shifted onto Gallagher. 6.5

Rian O’Neill: For good reason, Donegal set out to stop O’Neill dictating - and Langan was up to the task. Converted a classy mark in the second half but clattered into Mac Ceallbhui as Donegal started extra-time on the front foot. 6.5

Ben Crealey: Clever movement engineered space for Armagh to feed off, converted first half score and converted mark in driving rain. 7.5

Stefan Campbell: Jekkyl and Hyde stuff - fairly anonymous in the first half but sprung into life after a slow start to the second, bursting into space and clipping over two cracking scores. 7.5

Rory Grugan: Fairly quiet, but made a brilliant interception as McBrearty got ready to loop around and unload in the dying seconds of normal time. 6.5

Oisin Conaty: Pinned McHugh back during a flying start but faded out as the game wore on. Second half score - spinning away from Thompson before clipping over - was one of the best of the day, but missed a big chance in extra-time. 7.5

Andrew Murnin: Most effective work was done closer to Armagh’s goal as he worked his socks off, though defied cramp to fire an extra-time equaliser. 8

Conor Turbitt: Superb in the first half as he fired over three from play, but Donegal eventually got to grips with him. Worked up and down the field all day, a huge effort. 7.5



Substitutes

Jarly Og Burns: Won a free in extra-time. 6

Oisin O’Neill: Big impact. Bagged a huge score in extra-time and threw himself at Langan’s boot as Donegal went in search of the winner at the end of extra-time. 8

Aidan Nugent: Breathed new life into the attack with a couple of classy scores. 7

Tiernan Kelly: Missed mark opportunity towards end of normal time. 6

Jason Duffy: Match-winner against Down, but unable to have much say here. 6

Jemar Hall: Bolstered Armagh’s rearguard. 6

Shane McPartlan: Stepped up to take two penalties, missed the one that mattered most. Cruel. 6