Allianz Football League Division 2

ARMAGH 1-13 CLARE 2-10

By Orla Bannon at Pairc Esler

A David Tubridy goal deep into injury-time salvaged a draw for 14-man Clare against 13-man Armagh in an action-packed Division Two clash in Pairc Esler.

Armagh, who lost Jamie Clarke to a straight red card after 30 minutes, led by four points in the 70th minute before Tubridy, who finished with 1-7, sent a brilliant sideline kick sailing between the posts.

When faced with a similar kick a minute later, he dropped the ball into the square and it eluded everybody and plopped inside the far corner of the net.

Aaron McKay picked up a second yellow right at the death for a heavy collision on Clare captain Gary Brennan, the visitors having midfielder Cathal O'Connor sent-off on a straight red for dangerous play after 54 minutes.

Armagh conceded a five-point lead to draw with Kildare last week and were aggrieved with Clare's first goal just before half time.

Gavin Cooney's fisted effort was allowed, with referee Cormac Reilly consulting with his umpires before judging it had taken a deflection off an Armagh player on its way to the net.

That goal gave Clare a 1-8 to 1-6 half-time lead at the end of a pulsating first half.

Right at the start there was a 12-minute stoppage time for a serious injury to Clare forward Dermot Coughlan, who crumpled to the ground just 20 seconds after the throw-in.

Both sets of medical teams attended to him before he was stretchered off to a standing ovation in Pairc Esler with his left leg in a brace.

Both teams were keen to get going and it was end-to-end stuff with Armagh opening up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead with Rian O'Neill scoring twice.

Charlie Vernon was teed up for a good goal chance by Stefan Campbell and drilled a thunderous shot goalwards, but Clarke 'keeper Pierce DeLoughrey was equal to it, saving with his legs.

Gary Brennan spurned a good goal chance for Clare from right in front of the posts but the visitors briefly drew level through Kieran Malone and David Tubridy who converted an offensive mark.

Jamie Clarke was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Kevin Harnett.

Armagh rallied after going down to 14 players with Greg McCabe's composed low finish in the 37th minute after Grugan spotted him steaming in unmarked at the back post.

However Clare outscored them 1-3 to 0-1 for the remainder of the 12 minutes of stoppage time, their goal a fisted effort from Cooney.

Armagh came out and scored three points in a row through Vernon, the excellent Rian O'Neill and a Niall Grimley free.

Clare only managed one point in the second half, through Tubridy, as the game ticked into injury time and Jemar Hall's battling point looked to be the insurance point for Armagh putting them four points clear.

Blaine Hughes pulled off a great save for Armagh before Tubridy stepped up with 1-1 in stoppage time to send both teams home with one league point.

Scorers for Armagh: Greg McCabe 1-1, Niall Grimley 0-3 (2f), Rian O'Neill 0-3 (1f), J Hall 0-2, Connaire Mackin, Aidan Forker, Charlie Vernon 0-1 each, Rory Grugan 0-1 (f)

Scorers for Clare: David Tubridy 1-7 (2f), Gavin Cooney 1-0, Dale Masterson, Jamie Malone, Kieran Malone 0-1 each

ARMAGH: Blaine Hughes; Aaron McKay, James Morgan, M Shields; Connaire, Mackin, Greg McCabe, Aidan Forker; Stephen Sheridan, Niall Grimley; Jemar Hall, Rory Grugan, Charlie Vernon; Stefan Campbell, Rian O'Neill, Jamie Clarke. Subs: Ryan McShane for Vernon (57), Joe McElroy for Morgan (58), Jason Duffy for Shields (65), Ross McQuillan for Hall (69)

CLARE: Pierce DeLoughrey; Kevin Harnet, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly; Conal O hAinifein, Dean Ryan, Dale Masterson; Gary Brennan, Cathal O'Connor; Cian O'Dea, Jamie Malone, Dermot Coughlan; Kieran Malone, Keelan Sexton, David Tubridy. Subs: Gavin Cooney for Coughlan (12), Eoghan Collins for Masterson (46), Darragh Bohannon for K Malone (59), Gearoid O'Brien for J Malone (60)

Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath)