Football

How the Armagh players rated in semi-final win over Down...

Armagh's Rian O'Neill had a huge influence on their semi-final win over Down Picture: Philip Walsh.
Armagh's Rian O'Neill had a huge influence on their semi-final win over Down Picture: Philip Walsh. Armagh's Rian O'Neill had a huge influence on their semi-final win over Down Picture: Philip Walsh.
By Brendan Crossan

Ethan Rafferty: Down didn’t penetrate in any shape or form. Made a couple of charges up field which the Armagh supporters enjoyed. Kick-outs uncontested. 6.5

Conor O’Neill: Very under-rated footballer. Does everything well. Tracked Liam Kerr’s runs, won an early turnover and showed his worth in the final third too. 8

Aaron McKay: A comfortable day at full-back as Down never really broke lines to test him. Involved in one notable aerial battle with Pat Havern, which he won. 6.5

Aidan Forker: The Maghery man held his defensive position well, letting Eugene Branagan buzz around and shoot from bad angles. Hit a smashing score to get Armagh off the mark. 7

Ciaran Mackin: The Shane O’Neill’s man has had an excellent season. Full of energy and always technically good. Made a nuisance of himself to claim Armagh’s third goal. 7

Greg McCabe: Disciplined at protecting Armagh's defensive centre. Didn’t need to make any of his trademark runs from deep. Comfortable afternoon. 7

Jarlath Og Burns: Ryan Johnston threatened in the early stages but then Burns put the foot on the accelerator a few times and left the Kilcoo man in his wake. 7.5

Read More: Armagh outclass Down to end 15-year wait for Ulster SFC final appearance

Ben Crealey: Steady around the middle of the field until an injury seemed to end his afternoon before half-time. 6.5

Shane McPartlan: ‘Geezer’ must love McPartlan’s long diagonal deliveries from the left side, two of which sought out Andrew Murnin in the first half with the second one ending in a goal. Broke through a couple of tackles to raise a green flag himself. Fantastic Championship campaign to date. 7.5

Jason Duffy: He was turned over a couple of times in the first half, but he is such a resourceful attacker. Puts the hard yards in and is a scoring threat. Hit two points – one in each half – and hit the crossbar twice. 7

Jemar Hall: Alert to grab the first score of the second half. Nullified Danny Magill and kept everything simple. 7

Rian O’Neill: Despite the close attention of Niall McParland, the Crossmaglen man picked his moments to influence this semi-final. Brilliant goal finish, assisted for his side’s third goal, beautiful pass for Duffy’s second-half score. Quality in everything he did. 8

Rory Grugan: The epitome of composure and vision, high work-rate as always, but didn’t really need to get out of third gear. 7

STAR MAN: Andrew Murnin: A head-wrecking puzzle that Ryan McEvoy couldn’t solve. Brilliant fisted goal, roamed out to midfield and caught ball with relative ease. His clever movement for his 41st minute point was class. Vital to Armagh’s Ulster final prospects. 8.5

Conor Turbitt: Pierce Laverty was diligent in his tracking of Turbitt but the Clann Eireann attacker didn’t get much ball coming his way. 6.5

Subs:

Connaire Mackin: Steady at centrefield. 6.5

Stefan Campbell: Brought a bit of fizz to the Armagh attack. Pointed and assisted for Rian O’Neill’s goal. 7

Ross McQuillan: Efficient after his 51st minute entrance. 6

Aidan Nugent: Hit a smashing point after Down managed back-to-back scores. 6.5

Oisin Conaty: Missed a scoring chance but kept everything else simple. 6

Callum Cumiskey: Fine point late on. 6

Armagh's Oisin Conaty during Sunday's Ulster semi-final Picture: Philip Walsh.
Armagh's Oisin Conaty during Sunday's Ulster semi-final Picture: Philip Walsh. Armagh's Oisin Conaty during Sunday's Ulster semi-final Picture: Philip Walsh.