Eirgrid Ulster U21Quarter-final: Down 0-9 Armagh 5-16
ARMAGH romped to a 22-point demolition of rivals Down in Wednesday’s U21 Ulster Championship clash.
The Orchard side looked in control throughout with Peter McDonnell’s side outclassing Frank Dawson’s Down, who managed only one point from play. But the damage was done in the opening half as the Orchard side, boasting senior players SheaHeffron and Joe McElroy, made light work of a disappointing Down, leaving manager Dawson without a win in his two years in charge.
As expected between two rivals, the game got off to an explosive start with players on both sides having players floored by heavy hits, referee Sean Laverty issuing yellow and black cards and even a penalty kick had to be retaken.
Down’s defence were left shell-shocked by Armagh’s slick moving forward line which scored all but one point of the first half tally. The tone was set as early as the second minute when Jack Rafferty received a yellow card for a late challenge on Down’s Packie O’Hagan, but it was Armagh take took the early lead with Cathal McKenna grabbing the first point.
Shane Partlan pointed either side of Cathal McKenna’s converted penalty but Down eventually got off the mark through a Conor Doyle free in the 11th minute. However the Mourne failed to find any momentum as McKenna and Conor Martin kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Oisin O’Neill was gifted a kick-out by Down keeper Marc Reid, the Crossmaglen midfielder fed to McKenna who released McParland and he blasted into the net from close-range. Doyle replied with his second converted free but after the lively Rafferty did well to stay on his feet to supply McPartlan who struck his second goal to give Armagh a 3-7 to 0-02 lead.
O’Neill became the first of non full-forwards to score for Armagh but Down’sDoyle had the last say of the half with his third converted free.
Armagh had the hard work done in the opening half, but Down’s task was made almost impossible when Jamie Donan received a harsh second yellow card only five minutes into the restart. The Orchard lads were awarded a second penalty and for the second occasion Down keeper Reid blocked the shot but again the rebound was buried into the net, with Conor Martin bagging Armagh’s fourth goal.
Down emptied the bench and put in a spirted second half with, Cory Quinn,TiarnanRushe, Ryan Treanor and Liam McGreevy all scoring but it was men against boys stuff as Armagh’s stars eased their way to the finish line as O’Neill capped off a fine individual performance with a last minute goal to bring his tally to 1-6.
MATCH STATS
Down: M Reid, C Fitzpatrick, C McCartan, J Donnan, A Fulcher, R Magee, P O’Hagan, J Bell, D McAleenan, S McGonigle, D McCarthy, C Doyle (0-3, frees), R Treanor (0-1f), C Quinn (0-1); Subs: G McDowell for Connolly (BC, 7), C McCarron for Bell (BC, 15), T Rushe (0-2, frees) for Doyle (38), L McGreevy (0-2, frees) for McGonigle (38), C Harney for Treanor (41); Yellow cards: J Donnan (9), M Reid (42); Red cards: Donnan (second yellow) (40).
Armagh: B Hughes, G McCabe, A Rushe, J Cosgrove, C McConville, S Heffron, J McElroy, D McKenna, O O’Niell (1-6, 0-1 free), P Quinn, J Rafferty, C Boylan, C McKenna (1-5, 0-1f), S McPartlan (2-2), C Martin (1-3); Subs: R Finn for J McElroy (21), M Finnegan for Cosgrove (42), N Kerr for Boylan (49), J Freeman for McCabe (57), A Conlon for McKenna (57); Yellow cards: J Rafferty (2), S McPartlan (29), McCabe (30), McConville (41), Quinn (47); Red cards: McPartlan (second yellow) (57).
Referee: Sean Laverty (Antrim).
