Football

How the Armagh players rated against Cavan

Stefan Campbell scored Armagh's final point of the game yesterday. Picture by Philip Walsh.
Stefan Campbell scored Armagh's final point of the game yesterday. Picture by Philip Walsh. Stefan Campbell scored Armagh's final point of the game yesterday. Picture by Philip Walsh.

Armagh ratings:

Blaine Hughes: Didn’t have a save to make in the game. Sent the majority of his kick-outs straight down the middle. 6

James Morgan: Two early fouls on Dara McVeety both led to points from frees and Morgan was booked after 16 minutes. He was walking a tightrope thereafter and was called ashore seven minutes later. Back out for extra-time. 6

Mark Shields: Adopted a roving roll early on and worked hard around the middle to win the ball and get involved in counterattacks. On Dara McVeety after Morgan was withdrawn and wasn’t an attacking threat. 6.5

Paul Hughes: Tracked Oisin Kiernan and blotted out his influence on the game. Got forward himself to score a point in the second half. A good shift from the Crossmaglen clubman. 7

Ryan Kennedy: Committed and industrious, the Ballymacnab clubman picked up Conor Madden and never gave him a sniff yesterday. 6.5

Brendan Donaghy: The Armagh sweeper had a busy afternoon shutting down space as Cavan looked to send runners down the middle. Sent off late in the game for a foul on Killian Clarke and could have few complaints. 6

Aidan Forker: An impressive display from the experienced Forker who picked up Martin Reilly and marked him out of the game. Got forward to score himself and played in Burns for Armagh’s goal. 8

Niall Grimley: Picked up Gearoid McKiernan and worked hard to restrict his influence on the game. Worked hard around the middle of the field. 6

Aidan Nugent: Nailed a first half point from the right wing and a second half effort from the left. Also kept tabs on Thomas Galligan who was unable to get into the game. 6.5

Rory Grugan: Had Padraig Faulkner for company until he was black-carded. Assist for Nugent’s second point but the Armagh skipper rarely hurt Cavan’s defence with his passing or running. 6

Jemar Hall: Typically industrious, he was matched with Conor Rehill and the pair of them cancelled each other out. Popped up with a fine second half point.

Jamie Clarke: The Crossmaglen native was unable to break free of Jason McLoughlin and didn’t get in a shot until late in the second half. Did convert a free but operated too far out the field to be the match-winner his side needed. 5

Rian O’Neill: Once again he scored the first point of the game but Killian Clarke kept him on a tight leash and restricted his scoring to free-kicks. Operated around the middle after Armagh failed to get any joy out of high ball into the square. 7

Stefan Campbell: Quiet first half, he played deeper in the second and was able to get into the game. Provider for scores for Paul Hughes and Hall and in the move for Armagh’s goal. Replaced by Ethan Rafferty in closing stages and then replaced Rafferty in extra-time. Burst of pace and good finish had Armagh briefly ahead. 6

Substitutes:

Joe McElroy: Replaced James Morgan after 23 minutes. Picked up Thomas Galligan and later Niall Murray. Scored a fine first half point. 6

Ethan Rafferty: Second half mark relieved the pressure on the Armagh defence. Shot wide near the death. 6

Andrew Murnin: On for Grugan but was unable to replicate his heroics against Down. 5

Niall Rowland: Replaced Forker and picked up Jack Brady in extra-time. 5

Ben Crealey: Thrown on late in normal time. Shot wide during extra-time. 5

Charlie Vernon: In for Burns and made one vital interception in extra-time as Cavan attacked. 5

Star Man

Jarlath Og Burns (Armagh)

Gilt-edged early goal chance with fizzing wide but he atoned with two excellent first half points and a brilliant finish in the second half that left Raymond Galligan with no chance. Outstanding in midfield until he was forced off with a head injury. 8.5