Brian Kennedy, Tyrone, and Andrew Murnin, Armagh, in Allianz Football League action. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division One
Armagh 1-23 (1-4-15) Tyrone 0-18 (0-4-10)
By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
Defending All-Ireland Champions made a triumphant return to BOX-IT Athletic Grounds with an exciting eight-point win over Malachy O’Rourke’s Tyrone.
The Red Hands were without their Errigal Ciaran contingent, but Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh also had a raft of starters missing.
Armagh dominated much of the game with rally of two-pointers coming shortly after Andrew Murnin’s goal to see the Orchard race into a half-time lead of 14 points and while Tyrone cut into the lead during the second period, they left themselves with too much to do.
It’s Armagh’s first win in the top flight since overcoming Donegal in round five in 2023, and it is a vital two league points in what is deemed the Division One of death.
Played on Saturday, Armagh made five late changes before throw-up with Ethan Rafferty replacing Blaine Hughes and Jason Duffy, Ross McQuillan, Jemar Hall and Conor Turbitt replacing Paddy Burns, Jarly Og Burns, Cian McConville and Stefan Campbell respectively, while Tyrone brought Aodhan Donaghy on for Ciaran Daly.
Ethan Rafferty played outfield for much of the game, he scored two massive two-pointers and pulled off a near-post save to deny Tyrone’s Micheal McKernan at the near-post while Tyrone keeper Niall Morgan is also no stranger to roaming outfield and he pulled off a fantastic save to prevent Greg McCabe from hitting the net.
Armagh came flying out of the traps with Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty and Ross McQuillan on target before Shea O’Hare opened Tyrone’s account on 16 minutes.
Murnin’s goal came from a sweet kick-pass from Conaty to Rory Grugan, who drew keeper Morgan off his line before he slipped the ball off to the St Paul’s man to punch into the net.
There was a huge roar from the majority of the 14,366 crowd when Ethan Rafferty swung over the first of his two two-pointers and McQuillan did likewise, before Murnin and Grugan (free) extended Armagh’s lead. Darren McCurry (free) and Seanie O’Donnell brought Tyrone’s first half tally to 0-3 as the Orchard had 1-14 on the board at the break.
Tyrone made a good fist of getting back into the game, but Armagh did enough to keep their nose in front and the young team showed maturity to see the game out as you would expect from All-Ireland champions.
Young Tomas McCormack and Darragh McMullan were among the 10 different scorers, with 1-21 coming from play, in the Armagh team.
Jemar Hall, Man of the Match Rafferty and Murnin, who also put in a magnificent display, kept the scoreboard ticking over as Tyrone’s McCurry converted two two-point frees, while Michael McKernan struck two two-pointers from play.
As the game stretched out Tyrone found more joy in attack but Armagh’s considerable lead meant they didn’t panic and McGeeney’s men did enough to win convincingly over their old rivals. Tyrone will be disappointed with their first half display, while Armagh are glad to be off the mark with two vital Division One League points and a confident display before the weeks’ break.
Scorers for Armagh: Andrew Murnin 1-4 (1 2pt), Ethan Rafferty 0-5 (2 2pt), Conor Turbitt (1f) 0-4, Ross McQuillan 0-3 (1 2pt), Aidan Forker 0-2 (2pt), Tomas McCormack, Oisín Conaty, Darragh McMullan, Jemar Hall, and Rory Grugan (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tyrone: Darren McCurry 0-6 (2 2ptf), Michael McKernan 0-4 (2 2pt), Shea O'Hare and Seánie O'Donnell 0-2 each, Brian Kennedy, Liam Gray, Kieran McGeary, and Eoin McElholm 0-1 each.
Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; Tomas McCormack, Barry McCambridge, Jason Duffy; Connaire Mackin, Aidan Forker, Greg McCabe; Ben Crealey, Ross McQuillan; Oisin Conaty, Rory Grugan, Darragh McMullan; Jemar Hall, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt.
Subs: Stefan Campbell for McQuillan (54), Cian McConville for Grugan (65’), Jarly Og Burns (66’) for Mackin.
Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Aidan Clarke, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin, Frank Burns, Micheal McKernan, Shea O’Hare, Brian Kennedy, Liam Gray, Seanie O’Donnell, Kieran McGeary, Aodhan Donaghy, Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, Ronan Cassidy.
Subs: Con Fitzpatrick for Donaghy and E McElhom for Cassidy (HT), Rory Brennan for F Burns (46’), Ciaran Daly for Gray (46’), Cathal McShane for M Donnelly (66’)
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
