Armagh 0-16
Fermanagh 0-11
Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park
ARMAGH ROUNDED OFF their spring on a successful note in Croke Park last night, overcoming the first-half dismissal of Finnian Moriarty to clinch a five-point success over Fermanagh.
Armagh suffered what looked like a major setback when reduced to 14 men in the 26th minute. Moriarty was ordered off after being shown a second yellow card just four minutes after receiving his first yellow.
But that setback didn’t hinder Kieran McGeeney’s men. The precision of Tony Kernan and Ethan Rafferty’s place kicking and the attacking play of man-of-the-match Jamie Clarke helped them reign supreme.
Success marked a first national trophy as Armagh manager for the 2002 All-Ireland winning captain McGeeney. Three years ago he guided Kildare to the Division 2 crown but tonight’s victory with his native county had an extra layer of significance.
Fermanagh began brightly thanks to the scoring contributions of Sean Quigley and Tomás Corrigan as they sprint into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after 10 minutes. But Armagh settled to hit four points on the spin as they went ahead 0-5 to 0-4.
Even the loss of Moriarty didn’t halt their dominance as they went ahead 0-8 to 0-6 by the interval. Their grip on the game didn’t waver in the opening exchanges of the second-half as they reeled off four points without reply to be six clear by the 44th minute.
Fermanagh rallied thanks to Quigley and Corrigan, and had the gap down to three on a couple of occasions. But Armagh powered for the finish line with substitute Stephen Harold catching the eye as he weighed in weighed in with two points.
Scorers for Armagh: Tony Kernan 0-6 (0-5f), Ethan Rafferty 0-3 (0-3f), Jamie Clarke, Stephen Harold 0-2 each, Aidan Forker, Ciaron O’Hanlon, Kevin Dyas 0-1 each.
Scorers for Fermanagh: Seán Quigley 0-7 (0-6f, 0-1 ’45), Tomás Corrigan 0-3, Ruairí Corrigan 0-1.
Armagh
1. Niall Geoghegan (Middletown)
2. Andy Mallon (Parnells)
3. Charlie Vernon (Armagh Harps)
4. Michael Murray (St Patrick’s)
7. Mark Shields (Whitecross)
6. Finnian Moriarty (Wolfe Tone)
5. James Morgan (Crossmaglen Rangers)
13. Ethan Rafferty (Grange)
12. Aidan Forker (Maghery)
10. Tony Kernan (Crossmaglen Rangers)
18. Kevin Dyas (Dromintee)
21. Ciaron O’Hanlon (Killeavy)
15. Jamie Clarke (Crossmaglen Rangers)
14. Andrew Murnin (St Paul’s)
11. Micheál McKenna (Grange)
Subs
8. Ciaran McKeever (Sarsfields) for McKenna (half-time)
23. Eugene McVerry (Mullaghbawn) for Forker (47)
24. Stephen Harold (Carrickcruppen) for Murnin (58)
19. Gavin McParland (Ballymacnab) for Rafferty (62)
22. Caolan Rafferty (Granemore) for O’Hanlon (65)
Fermanagh
1. Thomas Treacy (Devenish)
2. Mickey Jones (Derrygonnelly)
3. Tiarnan Daly (Derrygonnelly)
4. Marty O’Brien (Devenish)
12. Declan McCusker (St Joseph’s)
6. Ryan McCluskey (Enniskillen Gaels)
7. Niall Cassidy (Roslea)
8. Ryan Jones (Derrygonnelly)
9. Richard O’Callaghan (Enniskillen Gaels)
10. Paul McCusker (St Joseph’s)
11. Ruairí Corrigan (Kinawley)
5. Barry Mulrone (Devenish)
13. Tomás Corrigan (Kinawley)
14. Seán Quigley (Roslea)
15. Ciarán Flaherty (Belcoo)
Subs
20. Daniel Kille (Lisnaskea) for Daly (half-time)
17. Aidan Breen (Tempo) for McCusker (53)
21. Darren McQuaide (Coa) for Flaherty (60)
18. Che Cullen (Belleek) for O’Callaghan (70)
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary)
Hon Limerick!!!
They beat two poor teams and lost out to a decent cork side there not on same level as limerick or Galway
@Back pass: So in your opinion the two teams they beat were “poor” and the team they lost to is “decent” and Clare are not at Limerick’s level. Tell me, what two teams have Limerick beaten? Ah yes, the same two “poor” teams, both home fixtures whereas Clare beat Tipp in Thurles. Next Sunday should decide who’s at the best level.
@Back pass: strange opinion! None of the teams named here are on Galways level yet, all have the attributes to at least challenge them etc, but c’mon ffs, Clare are without doubt on sane levels as Cork & Limerick! Sunday will be a very entertaining clash, can’t wait!!!;) still think we (Limerick) are a year away from being genuine contenders tho, game is full of surprises so who knows!
@Sloop John G: but be cork poor or decent, limerick drew with cork in cork while clare were beaten in cork
@Trevor Beacom: and limerick had 14 men for the best part of the game in cork. no doubting Clare’s talent they have great players, but they’re awfully slow out of the blocks and have to grow into a game. next weekend will be a great one for hurling.
@Sloop John G: Sure will! Bring it on.
Limerick have been impressive so far but let’s not get carried away. Galway are ahead of the pack and there is very little between the rest (Waterfords injuries didn’t help their challenge but they were All Ireland finalists last year). It’s only April since Clare and Limerick couldn’t be separated by extra extra time. With the game on in Ennis next weekend I expect it to be much closer than people think. They have both beaten Waterford and Tipp and it’s still a winner makes the Munster final game. Hon the banner.
Omg the previous story! Comments closed.
I think this will be a big test for limerick. They have been behind the scenes, off the spotlight. But now expectations are growing and are going to a stadium with which they haven’t a great record.
I can’t see anyone beating Galway at the moment. Mind you, it’s only June.