Armagh pip Tyrone at the death after enthralling clash to book Ulster final spot
Champions. This is what they do. Armagh kicked three successive scores in the final seven minutes to secure a stunning one-point triumph over Tyrone and a spot in the Ulster final.
A remarkable impact from the Tyrone bench looked to have swung the tie but Armagh produced a courageous close to delight the orange presence in an enthralled 21,288 crowd. Clones has witnessed many great days. This was one of them.
With the wind at their backs, the All-Ireland champions burst out and took seven two-point shots. The only successful effort came from Oisin O'Neill and that was cancelled out by a terrific Michael McKernan kick at the O'Duffy terrace end.
Armagh carried a 0-11 to 0-8 lead in at the break. In one of several late changes, Darragh Canavan started and curled over a point with his first touch seconds after the throw-in. Paddy Burns took on the task of marking the Errigal star.
All of the early creativity came from Kieran McGeeney's side. Ethan Rafferty retained 100% of his first-half kickouts and landed a point after a classic set play where his team-mates flooded the inside line to create space. The goalkeeper came forward repeatedly as Armagh opted to leave four defenders back instead.
Callum O'Neill was immense in the middle. And still, with 21 minutes played it was all level. Conn Kilpatrick drove down the middle to force a routine free for Darren McCurry. Those flashes of individual brilliance were keeping Tyrone in touch. It was a physical contest too, with referee David Gough policing steps strictly. Four players were pulled for over-carrying in the opening 30 minutes alone.
Oisin Conaty pushed Armagh further clear after the turnaround. For his fourth point, Rafferty aimed his kickout at his opposite number one Niall Morgan, who was pressing in the middle. Tyrone won the break but couldn't pass back to their goalkeeper. Jarly Og Burns was able to collect and drive into open space, sending Conaty away to slot it.
Six down and in need of a spark, Malachy O'Rourke turned to his bench. Eoin McElholm swung over a beauty and won a subsequent free. A dramatic goalmouth scramble eventually ended with a Darragh Canavan free. Peter Harte came in to land a two. McGeeney's sideline protests were punished with a dissent infringement, McCurry elected to come outside the arch and suddenly Tyrone were ahead.
Jarly Óg Burns immediately hit back. Stefan Campbell was introduced and once more, made his mark. This time, he converted the equaliser. It was fitting that the outstanding Rory Grugan tapped over the last kick to give them the win. He was awesome throughout.
New rules but the same dogged spirit. Armagh don't quit.
Scorers for Tyrone: D. McCurry (0-10, 4 frees, 1 tpf), D. Canavan (0-4, 2 frees), M. McKernan (0-2, 1 tp), C. Kilpatrick (0-2, 1 tp), P. Harte (0-2, 1 tp), E. McElholm (0-2).
Scorers for Armagh: O. Conaty (0-4), A. Murnin (0-2), C. O'Neill (0-3), O'Neill (0-3, 1 tp), R. Grugan (0-3, 2 frees), J. Burns (0-2), R. McQuillan (0-2), B. Crealey, E. Rafferty, C. Turbitt, S. Campbell (0-1 each).
TYRONE: N. Morgan; C. Quinn, P. Teague, N. Devlin; M. McKernan, R. Brennan, K. McGeary; B. Kennedy, C. Kilpatrick; A. Donaghy, J. Oguz, C. Daly; D. McCurry, D. Canavan, R. Canavan.
Subs: S. O'Donnell for Donaghy (42); B. McDonnell for Oguz, E. McElholm for R. Canavan (both 48); P. Harte for Daly (54), P. Hampsey for Quinn (59 Temp).
ARMAGH: E. Rafferty; P. Burns, B. McCambridge, T. McCormack; R. McQuillan, G. McCabe, J. Burns; C. O'Neill, C. Mackin; D. McMullen, O. Conaty, P. McGrane; R. Grugan, A. Murnin, O. O'Neill.
Subs: C. Turbitt for O'Neill (52); J. Hall for Crealey (54), C. McConville for McMullan (62), S. Campbell for Murnin (63), S. McPartlan for McGrane (67).
Referee: D. Gough (Meath).
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