Ethan Rafferty, Armagh, and Davitt Neary, Mayo, in Allianz Football League action. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division One
Armagh 1-17 (1-1-15) Mayo 1-17 (1-2-13)
By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
Mayo came from nine points down to craft out a draw in a game they nearly won against the All-Ireland champions Armagh.
Mayo should have won the game in the closing seconds when they did everything right except score, with goalkeeper Colm Reape kicking wide, much to the relief of Armagh.
A slick moving Armagh raced into a nine-point lead (1-9 to 0-3) but Mayo joined the party in the second half to take the lead before the Orchard levelled late in the game.
It means both teams are locked on three points after four games. Paddy Burns' goal after 15 minutes put the Orchard five points ahead.
Mayo’s Matthew Ruane opened the scoring and Jordan Flynn added another, but Armagh eased their way back into the game with a rally of points from Turbitt, Ross McQuillan and Andrew Murnin before Burns’ goal, which was coolly finished after Rory Grugan’s half-volley delivery.
Mayo were finding it tough to get to grips with the pace of the game while Oisin Conaty, Jason Duffy and keeper Ethan Rafferty were on target before Ryan O’Donaghue (free) replied for the Westeners.
However, Mayo almost netted in the opening half but Conor Reid’s low drive rattled the post.
Turbitt (sideline) and Grugan added to Armagh’s tally before Mayo finished the half with Flynn and Ryan O’Donoghue grabbing much-needed points. Armagh led 1-10 to 0-5 at half-time.
Mayo began cutting into Armagh’s lead with big two-pointers from Stephen Coen and Ryan 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 point he steered Mayo into the lead for the first time with 10 minutes to go.
Then Ryan O’Donoghue put Mayo two ahead, with O’Shea crucial in the build-up.
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.
Mayo did fantastically to create a winning opportunity and when Ryan O’Donoghue picked out a beautiful cross-field pass to keeper Reape, Kevin McStay’s side looked certain to clinch victory and despite jinking past Niall Grimley to move closer to go the goalkeeper sent the pressure kick wide.
Scorers for Armagh: Conor Turbitt 0-4 (1f, 1 sideline), Rory Grugan 0-4 (1f) Ethan Rafferty 0-3 (1 2pt), Paddy Burns 1-0, Ross McQuillan 0-2, Andrew Murnin 0-1, Oisin Conaty 0-1, Jason Duffy 0-1, Stefan Campbell 0-1.
Scorers for Mayo: Ryan O’Donoghue 0-6 (1 2pt, 1f), David Neary 1-1, Matthew Ruane 0-3, Jordan Flynn 0-2, Paul Towey 0-2, Stephen Coen 0-2 (1 2pt), Aidan O’Shea 0-1,
Armagh : Ethan Rafferty, Tomas McCormack, Barry McCambridge, Paddy Burns, Connaire Mackin, Jason Duffy, Ross McQuillan, Ben Crealey, Niall Grimley, Jemar Hall, Rory Grugan, Darragh McMullan, Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty.
Subs: Jarly Og Burns for Crealey (18’), Stefan Campbell for Hall (45’), Peter McGrane for Conaty (61’), Cian McConville for Duffy (62’).
Mayo: Colm Reape, Eoin O’Donoghue, Donnacha McHugh, Enda Hession, Stephen Coen, David McBrien, Eoghan McLaughlin, Conor Reid, Matthew Ruane (0-03), David Neary (1-01), Frank Irwin, Jordan Flynn, Paul Towey, Darren McHale, Ryan O’Donoghue.
Subs: Jack Carney for Reid (30’), Aidan O’Shea, for Irwin (42’), Sean Marahan for E McLaughlin (47’), Fergal Boland for Towie (61),Jack Coyne for Flynn (65’).
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).
