Armagh 1-17
Roscommon 1-12
ARMAGH SCORED 1-14 from play despite atrocious conditions to beat Roscommon in their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 3B qualifier in Hyde Park this afternoon.
Tony Kernan and Jamie Clarke amassed 0-4 apiece for Paul Grimley’s men who put the tie beyond any doubt seven minutes from time when Stefan Forker flicked home after a speculative high ball.
Roscommon did score a late goal of their own through Ciaran Murtagh but it was too little, too late for the home side who came into the game as slight favourites.
Armagh looked in control throughout with Stefan Campbell opening the scoring from play after both sides had exchanged frees in the opening minutes.
Indeed, only indiscipline kept Roscommon in touch in the early stages with Diarmuid Murtagh’s free-taking punishing the Orchard.
As conditions continued to deteriorate, Aaron Findon fisted a fabulous point to send the 2002 All-Ireland winners in 0-8 to 0-4 up at the break.
After failing to score from play in the first half, Roscommon took only 20 seconds to do so in the second through Kevin Higgins and a Cathal Shine point with 53 minutes on the clock meant the gap was just three points.
However, Armagh stepped up a gear and, with the Rossies failing to take their goal chances, kicked on to record a five point win.
Scorers for Armagh: Tony Kernan 0-4 (0-1f,0-1’45), Jamie Clarke 0-4 (0-1f), Stefan Forker (1-0), Stephen Harold and Kyle Carragher 0-2 each, Andy Mallon, Aaron Findon, Kevin Dyas, Stefan Campbell and Rory Gugan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Roscommon: Diarmuid Murtagh 0-5 (0-4f), Ciaráin Murtagh 1-0, Cathal Cregg 0-1 (0-1f), Cathal Shine, Kevin Higgins, Enda Smith, Conor Daly, Senan Kilbride and Donie Smith 0-1 each.
ARMAGH
1. Philip McEvoy (Dromintee St Patrick’s)
2. James Morgan (Crossmaglen Rangers)
3. Charlie Vernon (Armagh Harps)
4. Andy Mallon (Parnells, Dublin)
5. Mark Shields (Whitecross)
20. Brendan Donaghy (Clonmore Robert Emmet’s)
7. Ciarán McKeever (Parnells, Dublin)
8. Stephen Harold (Carrickcruppen)
9. Aaron Findon (Naomh Peader)
13. Tony Kernan (Crossmaglen Rangers)
11. Kevin Dyas (Dromintee St Patrick’s)
12. Stefan Campbell (Clan na Gael)
18. Kyle Carragher (Crossmaglen Rangers)
14. Aidan Forker (Maghery)
15. Jamie Clarke (Crossmaglen Rangers)
Subs: Eugene McVerry for A Forker (35), Aaron Kernan for Campbell (48), Rory Grugan for T Kernan (50), Finnian Moriarty for Shields (66).
ROSCOMMON
1. Derek O’Malley (Michael Galveys)
3. Niall Carty (Padraig Pearses) (Captain)
2. Seanie McDermott (Western Gaels)
4. Neil Collins (Castlerea St. Kevin’s)
5. David Keenan (St. Barry’s)
6. Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
7. Ciarán Cafferkey (Western Gaels)
8. Cathal Shine (Clann na nGaeal)
9. Kevin Higgins (Western Gaels)
17. Ian Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)
11. Enda Smith (Boyle)
19. Conor Daly (Padraig Pearses)
13. Senan Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)
14. Cathal Gregg (Western Gaels)
15. Diarmuid Murtagh (St. Faithleach’s)
Subs: David O’Gara for Cafferkey (35), Ronan Stack for I Kilbride (48), Donie Smith for E Smith (52), Ciaráin Murtagh for Cregg (60).
Referee: Eddie Kinsella (Laois).
Great performance by Armagh, Roscommon came back well in the second half but the Forker goal killed it. Armagh have made big improvements under Grimley and can make the quarter finals this year.
The Rossies were very poor. I’ve never seen them as bad. They had no plan B and
ran out of ideas. They made Armagh look reasonably good.
To be fair to them in the last 10-15 mins the FINALLY started to kick the ball into the full forward line.
You’ve obviously not spent long watching Ros if that’s the worst you’ve seen them!! Agreed though, no plan B, some very good players but a disappointing performance. A summer that promised much ends with a whimper.
Ross had the tactics wrong in first half,leaving one forward in and the rest retreating to a defensive game which was never going to work !! Showed Armagh way too much respect .
In the build up Armagh supporters spoke about their concern about 4 games 4 weeks as it turned out their fitness was in peak condition and the momentum they got from winning in Tyrone last week was clear to see. A well deserved win defended and attacked better than Roscommon. Whoever plays them next will have to be on the top of their game to topple them.
As for Roscommon the organisation and workrate they displayed against Mayo was missing. The first half display was the worst from them probably this year they at least improved in the 2nd half. A few years in div 2 should bring out the best in this Roscommon panel if they drop back down to div 3 the underage talent coming through could be wasted.