Football

From the vault: Marsden leads the way in front of 67,000 at Croke Park

2004 Ulster SFC final: Armagh 3-15 Donegal 0-11

IF two out of three ain’t bad, then four out of six is indisputably great.

Armagh have earned that epithet, definitely deserving that description due to this devastating demolition of a disappointing Donegal side fancied by many before throw-in.

Thirteen points may have been the winning margin but there was little luck involved as the outstanding Orchard county collected a fourth Anglo-Celt Cup in six seasons, adding to provincial triumphs in 1999, 2000, and 2002. Back at Croke Park for the first time since last season’s gut-wrenching All-Ireland final defeat by Tyrone, the Orangemen were inspired by two big-game players making significant returns of their own.

Back in the first fifteen, captain Kieran McGeeney and Diarmaid Marsden were the main men in what was a terrific team display by Armagh. McGeeney started but did not finish the match, yet surely no one will question his enduring quality again this season after masterminding this comprehensive victory.

When he was eventually allowed to take the trophy back into Armagh arms, ‘Geezer’ matched Down legend Kevin Mussen as a three-time triumphant skipper in Ulster finals.

Factor in their three goals, a third Championship win over Tir Chonaill in consecutive seasons, and the performance of full-back Francie Bellew, who dominated Donegal skipper Adrian Sweeney so much that the full-forward was eventually substituted, and it’s clear that actually three was the magic number for the victors.

The first of those three goals, fisted in by the excellent Marsden just before the half hour, was the crucial score, one that dented Donegal’s comeback challenge and sparked a surge by Armagh to take them eight points clear at halftime, 1-9 to 0-4.

The second, decisively dispatched into the roof of the net by Paddy McKeever in the 63rd minute, merely confirmed what all but the most optimistic Donegal supporter knew.

The third, coolly clipped in by Armagh’s other wing-forward, Oisin McConville, right on 70 minutes, emphatically rammed home the Orangemen’s superiority.

Donegal were the last team to score a goal against Armagh in the Championship, in last year’s last four meeting, only that one goal conceded in a dozen games stretching back to the Orchard county’s own All-Ireland final triumph of two years ago. Such defiant defence could play its part in Armagh going all the way again this season.

The failure to find the net by Donegal this time was a key factor in their inability to upset the impressive favourites. The Tir Chonaill team’s best chance came in the second minute of the second half, although admittedly they were trailing by those eight points, 0-4 to 1-9, after Armagh had finished the first period in stunning style.

Centre half-back Barry Monaghan, allowed freedom to get forward by Armagh’s tactic of withdrawing Tony McEntee to a defensive role, delivered a good pass to Colm McFadden, goalscoring hero of the semi-final success against Tyrone. The corner-forward belted the ball towards goal – but it bounced back out off the bar and Brian Roper’s point was little consolation.

Donegal twice closed the gap to five points without ever really looking like making a match of it, and McKeever’s well-worked goal, finishing off good work by three fellow forwards, finished off the game. Armagh’s superiority had been signalled from the start.

Stevie McDonnell struck two brilliant points inside six minutes and Ronan Clarke and McKeever added scores that could have been goals for a 0-4 to 0-0 lead. Donegal narrowed that to the minimum by the 22nd minute but the chasers were wasting opportunities and Armagh’s more clinical finishing ensured that Brian McEniff’s men would never draw level, never mind take the lead.

Paul Durcan did well to turn around a Kieran Hughes shot in the 28th minute but the young goalkeeper was at fault as Marsden flicked in the subsequent ‘45’ from McConville. Another Marsden point and two from McKeever followed, one a superbly-struck sideline ball, and Armagh appeared in complete control at the interval.

Had McFadden’s shot gone under the bar it might have been different but no sane person could seriously believe that Armagh would lose an eight-point advantage, especially with their full-back line in typical ‘they shall not pass’ mood.

Only Adrian Sweeney scored a single point from play as Donegal’s three-man inside forward line repeatedly ran into trouble and out of space.

The game seemed to be drifting towards a third consecutive four-point winning margin over Donegal until the Armagh attack cut loose in the last 10 minutes of play.

Following McKeever’s great goal, young substitute Brian Mallon demonstrated his threat, scoring from a narrow angle with his first kick, helping McDonnell set up McConville for his goal, then earning a free that the Crossmaglen man converted. Four other Armagh substitutions followed as Kernan showed off the strength of his bench, although he did not actually need to draw on any of his reserves of quality to win this encounter.

The late changes were a nice touch, though, and the introductions of Justin McNulty and John McEntee meant that they joined six others in playing in all four final triumphs, namely McGeeney, Enda McNulty, Kieran Hughes, Paul McGrane, McKeever, and McConville.

Five more collected their fourth medals, although they did not play in all four deciders – Aidan O’Rourke, Andrew McCann, Tony McEntee, McDonnell, and Marsden.

Donegal’s search for silverware goes on, trophy-less on the senior stage since 1992. In contrast, Armagh have completed the first part of their aims for this year, reclaiming the Ulster title from Tyrone.

Now they march on towards their ultimate goal of taking back ‘Sam’. Achieving that would make them ‘great’ on the real All-Ireland stage.

MATCH STATS


Armagh: P Hearty; E McNulty, F Bellew, A Mallon; K Hughes, K McGeeney (capt.), A O’Rourke; P Loughran (0-1), P McGrane; P McKeever (1-3, one sideline), T McEntee (0-2), O McConville (1-3, two frees); S McDonnell (0-2), R Clarke (0-1), D Marsden (1-2)


Subs: B Mallon (0-1) for Clarke (63); J Toal for Loughran (65); A McCann for McGeeney (69); J McEntee for Marsden (69); J McNulty for Bellew (69)


Yellow cards: Aidan O’Rourke (21); Enda McNulty (50)

Donegal: P Durcan; N McCready, R Sweeney, D Diver; E McGee, B Monaghan, S Carr; B Boyle, S McDermott; C Toye, M Hegarty (0-1), B Roper (0-1); C McFadden (0-4, three frees, one ‘45’), A Sweeney (capt.) (0-1), B Devenney (0-2)


Subs: R Kavanagh (0-1) for Toye (34); J Gildea (0-1) for McDermott (h-t); P McGonigle for Roper (53); J Haran for A Sweeney (64); K Lacy for E McGee (66)


Blood sub: B McLaughlin for Gildea (59-60).


Yellow cards: Christy Toye (23); Brian Roper (35)



Referee: Michael Collins (Cork)

Attendance: 67,136

* * * * * * * * 

ARMAGH PLAYER RATINGS

Paul Hearty: Exuded confidence. Kick-outs were enormous. Looked totally in command. Claimed one impressive high catch and dealt comfortably with any balls that dropped short. 7

Enda McNulty: Lucky to escape a booking until the 50th minute after he had made his fifth personal foul on Devenney. Conceded several free-kicks, but played his usual robust game. Kept Devenney scoreless from play which is no mean effort. 6.5

Francie Bellew: His cult fanbase was attracting new members in the first half when he was absolutely outstanding. Caught the eye with a couple of high catches, and never gave Adrian Sweeney an inch. Was dragged out of position in the second half, yet still restricted Sweeney to just one point from play. Is another Allstar on the way for Our Francie? 7.5

Andy Mallon: Had to mark McFadden, the man with the burgeoning reputation, and he did an extremely solid job. Kept his opponent scoreless from play, and won his fair share of battles. This is his first winner’s medal with the Armagh senior team and and it will do his confidence no harm. 7

Kieran Hughes: Was targeted for kick-outs because he had a height advantage over Brian Roper and the strategy worked. Did a lot of hard grafting and forced Donegal to give away a lot of possession. Stole forward in the first half and nearly got a goal. 7

Kieran McGeeney: His first Championship game since last year’s All-Ireland final. He looked sharper, fitter and stronger than ever. Was excellent in the first half when he provided Armagh with a platform of attack from his role at centre-back. Plugged the holes in the second half when Armagh were consolidating their lead. 7.5

Aidan O’Rourke: Christy Toye won plenty of ball, but he found it tough to get past O’Rourke. The wing-back made a vital interception in the seventh minute when he broke down a Donegal attack which was leading to a goal. Took some time before getting to grips with Rory Kavanagh. 6.5

Philip Loughran: Overshadowed his direct opponent, Stephen McDermott. Took a few high catches, and maintained a steady workrate throughout the game. 6.5

Paul McGrane: Steady and reliable. Had a decent battle with Brendan Boyle who didn’t do his reputation any harm. 6.5

Paddy McKeever: One of his best displays in the orange jersey. Kicked three points in the first half, the best effort was from a sideline ball. Apart from putting 1-3 on the scoresheet, he also went through a ton of work. He took his goal superbly, and it was apt reward for his industrious display. Was off target with a couple of easy chances. 7.5

Tony McEntee: Scored two points, but most of his good work was less obvious. For instance, McKeever’s point from the sideline was possible because McEntee knocked a Donegal player out of the pitch with a bone-crunching shoulder. Really put himself about and will be pleased with this performance following his below-par display against Cavan. 7

Oisin McConville: Scored 1-3 (two from frees). Was extremely sharp and is a different player from last year when he was devilled by injury. 7

STAR MAN: Diarmuid Marsden: This was very much a team performance, with no unanimous candidate for man-of-the-match. Francis Bellew and Kieran McGeeney also registered good performances, but Marsden is a worthy winner. In many ways he epitomises this Armagh team. Talented, and at times brilliant, the Lurgan man never shies away from the nitty-gritty stuff either. He scored 1-2 from play, but perhaps the moment which sums him up came when he ran 30 yards, dispossessed Eamon McGee with a clever tackle, and instigated a move which led to Philip Loughran’s point in the 47th minute. 7.5

Steven McDonnell: Started in explosive fashion when he hit the target after just 50 seconds. Looked like he was going to have a blinder, but he found it hard to escape the tenacious Niall McCready. Although he managed just 0-2 (not great by his standards), he did play a major role in two of Armagh’s goals. 7

Ronan Clarke: Got an early score, but it failed to settle him. Struggled to get the better of Raymond Sweeney. Replaced by Brian Mallon. 6.5

Substitutes


Brian Mallon: Scored with his first touch and was unlucky with another decent effort. 7

John Toal: Not on long enough to be rated.

Andrew McCann: Not on long enough to be rated.



Justin McNulty: Not on long enough to be rated.

John McEntee: Not on long enough to be rated.

DONEGAL PLAYER RATINGS

Paul Durcan: A mixed day for the young goalkeeper. Made two fine saves to deny Ronan Clarke and Kieran Hughes but took the wrong decision to come off his line, allowing Marsden to fist his goal. Also gave away a point by conceding possession to McKeever and needlessly conceded a ‘45’. 5

Niall McCready: Very much second best to McDonnell in the early stages, Stevie sending over two points and repeatedly getting out in front. However, recovered to deny his man further scores, showing alertness and anticipation, but McDonnell was involved in both second half goals. 6

Raymond Sweeney: Clarke only scored one point, although that might have been a goal, but for all Raymond’s gap-plugging, the Armagh full-forward played a part in creating six scores, including McKeever’s goal. Made one good block but could not stem the supply going into his opponent. 6.5

Damien Diver: Dragged out deeper by the on-song Marsden, but did a decent job until his man fisted a ‘45’ to the net. Conceded a point soon after and another in the 57th minute but never gave up. Unlucky to meet Marsden in fine form. 6

Eamon McGee: Could not contain Oisin McConville in the early exchanges and fared little better in the second half when switched across to McKeever, who missed two great chances before netting his goal. 5

Barry Monaghan: Was allowed a free role at times, especially in the first half, as Tony McEntee dropped deep, but failed to profit from that opportunity. Fumbled a pass that could have sent him through on goal. Tony took two points off him. 6

Shane Carr: Failed to make much of a positive impression and lost McKeever for two first half points. Also bundled out for the sideline ball that his man pointed. Moved onto McConville, did a little better, but posted missing for the third goal. 5

Brendan Boyle: Up against Paul McGrane, tried hard but could not manage to provide any platform of possession for his forwards. Simply did not get on the ball enough. 5

Stephen McDermott: Produced one powerful burst forward early on but found it hard to get involved in the game after that and was replaced by Gildea at the interval. 4.5

Christy Toye: Tried hard to make an impact against O’Rourke but tended to take too much out of the ball. Pushed up but never got a clear sight of goal. Cautioned for a late foul on McGrane. Taken off after shipping a heavy challenge. 5

Michael Hegarty: Well watched by a combination of McGeeney and Tony McEntee, but put in some strong runs when he found space. Shot short and two second half wides but did provide Donegal’s first point from play and set up Kavanagh’s point. 6

Brian Roper: Almost unnoticed for the opening 20 minutes and although he set up Hegarty’s point, did not contribute much more. Switched to the right wing in the second half, snapped up one point, but was subbed at the three-quarter mark. 5

Colm McFadden: Top-scored again but managed nothing from play, converting three frees and a ‘45’. Unlucky to see his fierce shot come back off the bar but then hit an easy free wide. Kept trying but often took the wrong options. 6

Adrian Sweeney: The tone was set for the skipper’s day by his three early wides, one from a free. Dropped deeper, trying to get away from Bellew, but his efforts were largely in vain. Did put over one point but was taken off before the end. 5

Brendan Devenney: Showed determination to get on the ball and earned two frees that were converted, plus one badly missed by McFadden. Guilty of a similar miss himself, but did point a free in each half. Drew a yellow card for Enda McNulty but his marker won the overall battle. 6

Substitutes


Rory Kavanagh: Came on for Toye, initially as a blood substitute, and began brightly on the left wig, picking off a good point. Faded out of the game after that. 6

John Gildea: Brought on at the start of the second half for McDermott and produced a steady display. Showed composure and sent over a point but could not turn the tide. 6

Paul McGonigle: Replaced Roper for the final 20 minutes but could not get going, managing only one poor wide. 5

John Haran: Not on long enough to be rated.

Karl Lacey: Not on long enough to be rated.