Armagh 1-17 

Mayo 1-17

YOU WIN SOME and you lose some but both sides had to make do with a share of the spoils after Armagh and Mayo couldn’t be separated after a fascinating encounter on Saturday.

Played in the Box-It Athletic Grounds in Armagh, Kieran McGeeney’s men had taken charge in the opening half to go 1-9 to 0-3 ahead before Mayo tipped the balance in the second half to go in front, and then got pegged back again, before throwing away the chance for victory.

📺WATCH: FULL-TIME HIGHLIGHTS🍿

⚖️ A brilliant Mayo performance in the second half sees the two teams share the spoils 🤝@Armagh_GAA 1-17 @MayoGAA 1-17 #GAANOW #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/y752ijpNdC

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 22, 2025

That’s because Mayo goalkeeper Colm Reape had the opportunity to wrap up a win with only seconds left on the clock: He collected a delicious cross-field pass from Ryan O’Donoghue and after displaying courage to skip past Niall Grimley to get closer to goal, he somehow screwed his match-winning shot wide.

It was a painful finish for Mayo but they would have taken a draw in the opening half because Armagh were rampant.

Paddy Burns’ goal came on 15 minutes. The corner-back showed panache to pick out his spot after Rory Grugan’s intelligent pass into the box.

Mayo led early on after points from midfielder Matthew Ruane and Jordan Flynn but Armagh were moving at pace and Conor Turbitt, Ross McQuillan, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty, Jason Duffy and ‘keeper Ethan Rafferty were on target before O’Donoghue (free) replied for the Westerners.

Armagh led 1-10 to 0-5 at the break.

Mayo began cutting into Armagh’s lead with big two-pointers from Stephen Coen and O’Donoghue, and Davitt McNeary’s skilful goal left the minimum between the teams.

Aidan O’Shea’s introduction was timely as Armagh were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes following Niall Grimley’s black card. It was turnover after turnover before Neary pointed and when O’Shea landed his own point, he steered Mayo into the lead for the first time with 10 minutes to go.

However, Stefan Campbell’s point had the home support in fine voice and the crowd erupted even more when Turbitt levelled (free) with only two minutes to play.

Armagh scorers: Conor Turbitt (1 free, 1 sideline) and Rory Grugan (1 free) 0-4 each, Ethan Rafferty 0-3 (1 2pt score), Paddy Burns 1-0, Ross McQuillan 0-2, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty, Jason Duffy and Stefan Campbell all 0-1.

Mayo scorers: Ryan O’Donoghue 0-6 (1 2pt score, 1 free), David Neary 1-1, Matthew Ruane 0-3, Jordan Flynn, Paul Towie and Stephen Coen (1 2pt score) all 0-2, Aidan O’Shea 0-1.

Armagh

1. Ethan Rafferty (Granemore)

2. Tomás McCormack (Annaghmore) 3. Barry McCambridge (Clann Éireann) 4. Paddy Burns (Burren)

5. Connaire Mackin (Shane O’Neills), 26. Jason Duffy (Cullyhanna), 7. Ross McQuillan (Cullyhanna)

8. Ben Crealey (Maghery) 9. Niall Grimley (Madden)

10. Jemar Hall (Forkhill), 11. Rory Grugan (Ballymacnab), 12. Darragh McMullan (Madden)

13. Conor Turbitt (Clann Éireann) 14. Andrew Murnin (St Paul’s) 15. Oisín Conaty (Tir na nÓg)

Subs

• Jarly Óg Burns (Silverbridge) for Crealy (18)
• Stefan Campbell (Clan na Gael) for Hall (45)
• Peter McGrane (Ballyhegan Davitt’s) for Conaty (61)
• Cian McConville (Crossmaglen Rangers) for Duffy (62)

Mayo

1. Colm Reape (Knockmore)

2. Eoin O’Donoghue (Belmullet), 3. Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels), 4. Enda Hession (Garrymore)

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5. Stephen Coen (Hollymount-Carramore), 6. David McBrien (Ballaghaderreen), 7. Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport)

8. Conor Reid (Moy Davitts), 9. Matthew Ruane (Breaffy)

10. Davitt Neary (Breaffy), 11 Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites), 12. Jordan Flynn (Castlebar Mitchels)

24. Paul Towey (Charlestown Sarsfields), 14. Darren McHale, 15. Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet)

Subs

• Jack Carney (Kilmeena) for Reid (30)
• Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy) for Irwin (43)
• Seán Morahan (Castlebar Mitchels) for McLaughlin (47)
• Fergal Boland (Aghamore) for Towey (61)
• Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis) for Flynn (65)

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).