Ethan Rafferty: Very aggressive under the high ball, kick-outs erratic, gave impetus to countless Armagh attacks, heroic run that led to Hall’s point towards the end. Never got a sniff of any of Galway’s spot-kicks. 8
James Morgan: Flirted with a red card on several occasions and never really tamed Shane Walsh who was a thorn in Armagh’s side. 6
Aidan Forker: Armagh’s full-back tried to get Damien Comer going in the opposite direction, but Galway’s wrecking ball didn’t relent. The Maghery man didn’t win many dispossessions against one of the strongest men on the GAA circuit. 6
Conor O’Neill: A very confident display, striding out with the ball and making some incisive runs. Hit a smashing kick pass that allowed Nugent to point. One of Armagh’s best performers. 8
Aaron McKay: A bit like some of his defensive peers, McKay struggled to contain his opposite number Rob Finnerty. Still, McKay emptied the tank before his withdrawal. 6
Greg McCabe: Definitely a yellow card but definitely a harsh red when McCabe shouldered into Matthew Tierney. Despite how it ended, his best year in an Armagh jersey. 6.5
Jarlath Og Burns: Made some good breaks down the left flank and caused Galway some stressful moments. Withdrawn and re-introduced in extra-time. Could barely walk by the end. Great year. 6.5
Stephen Sheridan: A subdued display in the middle of the field and didn’t find himself on much ball, Replaced in the early stages of the second half. 5
Ben Crealey: The Maghery midfielder had a good game, fetching a couple of Galway kick-outs and got through a mountain of work before tiring. 7
Rory Grugan: On hand to palm to the net in extra-time. Assisted for a couple of points, converted a couple of frees, missed one too. Offers the side great calmness and one of the side’s best decision-makers. 7.5
Stefan Campbell: Fumbled one first-half ball but Galway struggled to contain his runs from deep. Three points from play was a good return but screwed his spot-kick wide. A lot of positives in 2022. 8
Andrew Murnin: Didn’t find his usual fluidity at full-forward. Won a free that was converted but didn’t get much change from Sean Kelly. Missed a gilt-edged chance on the stroke of half-time. 5
Aidan Nugent: Lively and showed good movement. Hit 1-2 from play. Red-carded for his perceived part in the melee at the end of normal time. 7.5
Rian O’Neill: Nerveless conversion to send the game into extra-time. Realised Galway couldn’t deal with high balls on top of them which yielded two goals. A couple of ropey kick passes, but never shirked his responsibilities by converting his spot-kick. 8
Jason Duffy: Started deep and proved a bit of a head-wrecker for Galway in the early stages. Got through a mountain of work. Took a break before reappearing for extra-time. 7
Subs:
Connaire Mackin: Defensively solid after his 44th minute introduction. 6
Conor Turbitt: Hit a brilliant 1-1 from the bench. Missed his spot-kick. 6.5
Ciaran Mackin: Tenacious defending. 5
Justin Kiernan: Lively contribution and hit a brilliant extra-time score. 7
Eoin Woods: Made some fine runs and levelled in extra-time. 7
Niall Rowland: Offered fresh legs and narrowly missed the target late in the game. 6
Mark Shields: Missed with one decent chance. Great servant, but might be the end of the road. 5
Jemar Hall: Brilliant point in extra-time that might have been the winner. 6
