Sport

Armagh target greater ambitions after securing Division One safety

Armagh's Andrew Murnin celebrates scoring the only goal of the game in their win over Kildare in the Allianz Football League Division One match at the Athletic Grounds Picture: John Merry
Armagh's Andrew Murnin celebrates scoring the only goal of the game in their win over Kildare in the Allianz Football League Division One match at the Athletic Grounds Picture: John Merry Armagh's Andrew Murnin celebrates scoring the only goal of the game in their win over Kildare in the Allianz Football League Division One match at the Athletic Grounds Picture: John Merry

Allianz Football League Division One: Armagh 1-12 Kildare 0-10

ARMAGH’S Division One status is safe for another year, after they secured a deserved victory over Kildare on a rain-soaked night in the Athletic Grounds.

Safety was always the priority for the Orchardmen, as they look to continue going from strength to strength and establish themselves amongst the best teams in the country. On Saturday night, despite not playing at their absolute best, the five-point margin of victory over a talented Kildare side emphasised a good night’s work for a team who will remain eating at the top table in 2023.

For all of the firepower that Kieran McGeeney’s team carries, it has been the remarkably improved defence which has laid the foundations for Armagh in their impressive start to 2022, and that continued against the Lilywhites, as they held a full-forward line of Paddy Woodgate, Daniel Flynn and Jimmy Hyland to three points from play combined.

Regarding the Ethan Raffert goalkeeper experiment, after two games with the usual forward in between the sticks, we are none the wiser to his shot-stopping abilities – he hasn’t had to make a save – which is testament to the progress of Armagh’s rearguard. Additionally, Lorcan O’Dell’s consolation goal for Dublin back in January remains the last three-pointer Armagh have conceded.

Speaking of goals, it was Andrew Murnin’s goal on 21 minutes, that set Armagh on their way to victory. On a night when the forwards for both sides played short of their full potential - due to adverse conditions and space coming at a premium – it was the St Paul’s man’s ability to be in the right place at the right time which made the difference. Jarly Og Burns’ goal-bound effort was blocked and fell to Murnin at the back post, where he couldn’t miss, and he drove the ball home past Mark Donnellan.

Neither side will look back on the opening 35 minutes as a banner half for how they want to play football with both teams suffering from unforced turnovers and wasteful shooting – particularly Kildare, who kicked as many wides (six) as they did points in the opening period.

Star men Rian O’Neill and Daniel Flynn rightfully came into the game regarded as difference-makers for their teams, but neither man was able to score from play on the night, as the two number 14s were marked superbly by Shea Ryan and Aidan Forker respectively, throughout the hard-hitting contest.

O’Neill did have a chance to score a goal on 27 minutes, when Tiernan Kelly played a wonderfully precise long ball in over the heads of the Kildare full-back line, but O’Neill’s fisted effort wasn’t powerful enough to beat Donnellan, and consequently, Armagh’s lead at the half-time break was just one point.

If Kildare were unlucky in the first half, they were thoroughly uninspiring in the second, and once Armagh went a few scores ahead, the Lilywhites never looked like being able to mount a comeback, as their poor decision making, and wastefulness in front of the posts continued.

From Armagh’s point of view, they should be encouraged by how they saw their lead out. When they took on Mayo in the last round, they witnessed a three-point lead slip through their fingers in the last five minutes, as the Westerners were able to bring quality off the bench and find another gear, which Armagh lacked down the stretch.

On Saturday night, Armagh flipped the script, as they were able to find the extra gear, and strong substitutes – notably Stefan Campbell, who raised two white flags, both coming after superb solo runs – contributed to the Orchardmen coasting to victory as the minutes ticked away.

With safety secured, Armagh may now harbour greater ambitions, as a place in the Division One league final remains on the table heading into their final two games. Up next for Armagh, they host the only remaining unbeaten team in the division, Kerry, in what will be the Kingdom’s first trip to the Orchard County since 2011. With nothing to lose, Armagh’s results to date will have them with full belief that they can upset Jack O’Connor’s men.

MATCH STATS

Armagh: E Rafferty; G McCabe, A Forker (0-1), A McKay; J Morgan, N Rowland, J Burns (0-1); C Mackin, B Crealey; J Hall (0-1), R Grugan (0-2, 0-1 free), T Kelly (0-1); A Murnin (1-0), R O’Neill (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 45), C O’Hanlon.

Subs: S Campbell (0-2) for Hall (45), Jason Duffy (0-1 mark) for Murnin (51), Connaire Mackin for Rowland (54), Conor O’Neill for O’Hanlon (64 ), Niall Grimley for Crealey (70).

Yellow cards: J Hall (30), R O’Neill (61).

Kildare: M Donnellan; M O’Grady, S Ryan, R Houlihan; J Sargent, J Murray, D Ryan; A Masterson, K Flynn; F Conway, B McCormack (0-1), P Cribbin; P Woodgate (0-3, 0-1 free), D Flynn (0-1 m), J Hyland (0-4, 0-3 frees).

Subs: D Kirwan (0-1) for Woodgate (46), K Feely for Masterson (51), K O’Callaghan for Conway (51), T Archbold for Sargent (62), A Beirne for Murray (62).

Yellow cards: R Houlihan (33), J Murray (40), J Hyland (57), P Cribbin (59).

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan)