Armagh Secure Victory Over Derry in All-Ireland SFC First Round
Derry's Brendan Rogers in action against Conor Turbitt of Armagh
Armagh commenced their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship campaign with a 1-18 to 1-13 win against Derry in the first round at the Athletic Grounds.
Tiernan Kelly’s remarkable goal and two sequences of six unanswered points within the initial 20 minutes established a solid foundation for Armagh’s comfortable triumph.
The Orchard County played their first match since capturing the Ulster title for the first time in 18 years two weeks prior. They remained vigilant, aware of the early exits of provincial champions Kerry and Roscommon in last weekend’s opening fixtures.
Kieran McGeeney made a single alteration to the team that secured the Anglo-Celt Cup, with Gareth Murphy replacing Paddy Burns in defence.
Derry returned to the Athletic Grounds and competitive action for the first time since relinquishing an 11-point lead against Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final at the same venue last month.
Ciaran Meenagh implemented two changes: Shea Downey replaced Diarmuid Baker in defence, and Paul Cassidy was unexpectedly omitted as Niall Toner started in attack.
Armagh Lead After Intense First Half
Despite contending with the wind, Conor Glass opened the scoring for Derry on four minutes.
Immediately following, Shane McGuigan surged forward after securing a kick-out but missed a goal opportunity by blasting wide.
Armagh responded emphatically, scoring the next six points while dominating Derry’s kick-outs.
Conor Turbitt contributed a two-pointer, followed by scores from Jason Duffy and Darragh McMullen, with Tomas McCormack adding a brace.
As the game appeared to slip from Derry’s grasp, Lachlan Murray intercepted an Armagh restart, broke clear, and netted a goal.
Niall Loughlin added a point shortly after, narrowing the margin to a single point.
The Ulster champions answered decisively, scoring six unanswered points once more.
Kelly drove directly at goal, was fouled, and benefited from the advantage rule. He then executed a long-range shot, rifling the ball into the top right corner of the net, regarded as one of the finest goals in championship football.
Oisin Conaty followed with a point, and Jarly Og Burns extended Armagh’s lead to seven points by the 21-minute mark. This, however, was their last score of the half.
Murray replied for Derry two minutes later, marking the half’s final score. During this period, Blaine Hughes made a remarkable save denying Conor McCluskey a goal from close range.
After a fast-paced half, Armagh led 1-9 to 1-3 at the interval.
Armagh Maintain Control in Second Half
With the wind advantage, Murray scored Derry’s first point of the second half, to which Turbitt responded for Armagh, marking their first point in over 19 minutes.
On 42 minutes, Jason Duffy received a black card for a late challenge on Conor McCluskey.
Derry struggled to capitalize on the numerical advantage but outscored Armagh 0-4 to 0-1 in this phase, with three points from Conor Doherty and one from McGuigan.
Just as Duffy was about to return, McGuigan mishandled the ball on the ground. Jarly Og Burns quickly restarted play, sending Peter McGrane through on goal. The corner-back rounded the goalkeeper but missed the goal from close range.
McGeeney’s side then scored the next five points, including a two-point free from goalkeeper Hughes, extending their lead to eight points at the hour mark.
Derry required an urgent response, which substitute Cassidy provided with their first two-pointer of the game.
Turbitt replied for Armagh, while Sean Young and Ethan Doherty’s late points for Derry served as mere consolation.
McGeeney’s team now holds two opportunities to reach the quarter-finals, whereas Derry, having lost their safety net, proceed to Round 2B.
Westmeath Rally to Overcome Cavan in Extra Time
Westmeath mounted a determined comeback in the second half of extra time to defeat Cavan 1-31 to 3-21 in their All-Ireland Round 1 match at Mullingar.
The Leinster champions trailed Dermot McCabe’s side by six points at the half of extra time but fought back to secure victory in a fiercely contested match witnessed by a capacity crowd of 12,000.
Westmeath led 0-12 to 0-6 at halftime, but goals from Paddy Lynch and Paddy Meade helped Cavan recover and force extra time after a full-time score of 0-22 to 2-16.
A goal from Dara McVeety gave Cavan a 3-21 to 0-24 lead, but Mark McHugh’s team gradually reduced the deficit. Kevin O’Sullivan’s goal put Westmeath ahead, and two successful frees sealed the win.
Athletic Grounds Teams and Scorers
Armagh: Blaine Hughes (0-2, 1x2ptf); Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Gareth Murphy; Joe McElroy (0-1), Tiernan Kelly (1-0), Greg McCabe; Jarly Og Burns (0-1), Andrew Murnin (0-1); Cian McConville, Darragh McMullen (0-1), Tomas McCormack (0-2); Conor Turbitt (0-4, 1x2pt), Jason Duffy (0-2), Oisin Conaty (0-1).
Subs: Ross McQuillan for G McCabe (54), Oisin O’Neill (0-1, 1f) for J Duffy (59), Rory Grugan for A Murnin (66)
Derry: Shea McGuckin; Shea Downey, Ruairi Forbes, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty (0-3), Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Eoin McEvoy, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty (0-2, 1x2pt), Conor Glass (0-1), Niall Toner; Niall Loughlin (0-2), Shane McGuigan (0-1), Lachlan Murray (1-1).
Subs: Paul Cassidy (0-2, 1x2pt) for S Downey (42), Dan Higgins for N Toner (48), James Sargent for R Forbes (54), Sean Young (0-1) for L Murray (57)
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
