All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, Group Two, round three: Armagh 0-16 Galway 1-12
SO often the gallant losers, Armagh finally got over the line in a thriller against Galway which meant they topped Group Two and went straight to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
How much the result – the county's biggest scalp since their glory days in the Noughties - meant to the Armagh players and their management was obvious and there were handshakes, hugs and hollering as they headed for the dressingroom.
Positive from the start, they pressed every Galway kickout, worked like demons and attacked at every opportunity.
Will this win be the turning point for them?
“I hope so,” said manager Kieran McGeeney.
“We got a bit of luck today, not in decisions but just people missing free kicks and us getting them. It's a good day, to finish top of the group and I’m delighted for the supporters, especially on a day like that, it's a long journey home, I hope everyone is safe and I’m delighted for everyone involved.
“Ourselves and Galway have been nip-and-tuck for the last number of years, there has been a point between us even though the general noise would say we are 10 miles behind them but you wouldn't feel that way.
“We would know Galway will go away off to play and get better. I have fierce time for Padraic Joyce, he always puts out a good team and he's done a lot of good things.
“They're physical and strong and got at it. We are the same, we've had some crackers and today we got the victory and I'm sure they'll go away and learn from it and move on.”
It was Rory Grugan who scored Armagh’s winner in injury-time. Andrew Murnin’s seemingly endless reserves of energy and commitment allowed him to turnover a ball in his own half and sprint deep into Galway territory.
He was brought down and Grugan slotted over the free-kick to exorcise the ghosts of the chance that fell short in the Ulster final.
"I’m delighted for him,” said McGeeney.
“He’s a good lad, one of our marquee players for the last eight or nine years and he took a lot of hassle for that one (in the Ulster final). To be the man to put over the winning point today was a good thing.”
Meanwhile, Galway who led a game that was level 11 times by two points at half-time, go into the preliminary draw and will be action against next weekend. Sean Kelly, who scored their first half goal, and Damien Comer, who missed out with a hamstring injury, will be doubtful for that game.
“I thought they controlled the game a bit better the second half than we did,” said Pauric Joyce.
“Our turnovers killed us and fed into Armagh's energy and their gameplan. Look, it’s disappointing from our end but we live to fight another day.
“It is a setback for us but the good thing is we only have six days to lick our wounds and come back and get ready for six or seven days’ time.”
Joyce acknowledged that there had been little between his side and the Armagh team they beat on penalties at Croke Park last year.
“There’s only ever a kick of the ball between the teams,” he said.
“In fairness to them they are going to lift their game when it’s the Championship, they work really hard, they are a good side and for Kieran, he’ll be delighted that they’ve shown what they can do.”
