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It took an injury-time goal from Steven McDonnell to claim the points for
Armagh in a fiercely-contested clash with neighbours Louth at Crossmaglen
on Sunday.
Armagh’s one-point victory came despite early injuries to Ciaran McKeever,
Charlie Vernon and Gareth Swift.
The incident-packed encounter began in controversial fashion. Armagh’s
attempts to warm up in the same end that Louth had already occupied caused
consternation amongst the home team.
The match officials were forced to separate the sides and when the game
finally got under way Louth made the more impressive start. Thanks to some
razor-sharp shooting from Darren Clarke the visitors opened up a 0-5 to
0-2 lead.
The difference was narrowed to two points at the break as Peadar Toal, McDonnell
and Malachy Mackin reduced the arrears for the 2005 League champions who
did well to bounce back after losing both of their starting midfielders
Swift and Vernon through injury.
Armagh rallied in the third quarter with impressive substitute Kevin Dyas
and defensive stalwarts Enda McNulty and Andy Mallon managing to stifle
Louth’s attacking prowess.
With the teams deadlocked at 0-9 each Louth once again pulled away. Then
Sean Quigley put Mark Stanfield through on goal but with his team leading
by a point the Louthman opted to punch over what looked like their insurance
score.
But Armagh remained resolute and soon old hands Paul McGrane and McDonnell
combined with lethal effect. A long delivery from McGrane found the Louth
backline off guard and McDonnell pounced to slot home. Armagh’s Malachy
Mackin and Louth full-back Colin Goss were both red-carded in the closing
stages
Louth boss Eamonn McEneaney was devastated by Armagh’s late sucker
punch.
He said: “We were robbed. Our fellas fell asleep and conceded a very
soft goal. I think the best team lost today.”
But he backed Stanfield saying he took the right option and stressed how
just one moment of defensive weakness taught last year’s Division
2 champions a harsh lesson about life in the GAA’s fast lane.
By
Trevor O’sullivan