Armagh 3-8
Longford 2-9
Jamie Clarke, Stefan Forker and Tony Kernan scored Armagh’s goals as the Orchard County secured a narrow two-point victory in this evening’s Allianz NFL Division 2 clash with Longford.
Clarke and Forker netted early as Armagh got off to a flier but the first of Francis McGee’s two goals hauled the Midlanders back into contention at the Athletic grounds.
At half-time, Armagh led by 2-5 to 1-5 and when Kernan scored his side’s third goal with six minutes remaining, Longford trailed by six points.
But to their credit, Glenn Ryan’s charges responded with a run of 1-2, with McGee netting his second goal, to cut the deficit back to just a single point.
With Armagh clinging on, that man Kernan drilled a ’45 between the posts as the hosts ensured that Longford remain pointless in Division 2 this season.
Clarke, making his return to county colours following his club exploits with Crossmaglen, pulled the strings for Armagh. He scored the opening goal and set up Forker and clubmate Kernan for their majors.
Scorers for Armagh: J Clarke 1-2, S Forker 1-2 (0-1f), T Kernan 1-1 (0-1 ’45), A Kernan 0-2f, K Dyas 0-1Scorers Longford: F McGee 2-2, S McCormack 0-7 (6f).
ARMAGH: P McEvoy, G McCooey, J Donnelly, S Finnegan, A Kernan, B Donaghy, C McKeever, J Lavery, S Harold, K Dyas, S Campbell, C Rafferty, J Clarke, J Hanratty, S Forker.
Subs: J Morgan for Finnegan (26), D McKenna for McCooey (45), B Mallon for Hanratty (50), T Kernan for Campbell (50)
LONGFORD: D Sheridan, D Brady, B Gilleran, P Foy, M Quinn, K Diffley, S Mulligan, J Keegan, M Brady, B McElvanney, D McElligott, A Rowen, F McGee, P Barden, S McCormack.
Subs: D Barden for P Barden (h-t), C Smith for Diffley (h-t), N Mulligan for Keegan (57)
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
Image: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Laois 1-17
Louth 2-14
A late point from Gary Walsh secured a draw for Laois in a pulsating Allianz NFL Division 2 fixture at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.
Louth looked well on course for victory as they led by five points in the second half but the hosts launched a stirring revival to finish with a share of the spoils.
Second half goals from Andy McDonnell and Kevin Rogers helped the Wee County to lead by 2-13 to 1-11.
But spirited Laois clawed their way back into contention and Walsh’s 68th minute point handed Justin McNulty’s side the point their endeavours merited.
Nothing separated the sides either at the break, despite John O’Loughlin’s first half goal for Laois.
The sides were deadlocked at 0-9 to 1-6 at the midway point and O’Loughlin’s well-taken goal had tied the scores at 1-5 to 0-8.
Louth opened the second half impressively, with McDonnell notching his side’s opening goal.
But Shane Lennon went off injured and although Rogers netted with 18 minutes remaining, Laois recovered and they could even have snatched it late on as MJ Tierney missed a chance to win it.
Scorers for Laois: G Walsh 0-6 (1f); J O’Loughlin 1-2; R Munnelly 0-4 (2f); C Begley, MJ Tierney (1 ‘45) 0-2 each; B Sheehan 0-1.Scorers for Louth: K Rogers 1-3 (0-2f); B White (0-4 (2f, 1 ’45); A McDonnell 1-1; S Lennon 0-3; R Carroll, D Crilly, A Reid 0-1 each.
LAOIS: E Culliton; D Booth, M Timmons, P O’Leary; D Strong, J O’Loughlin, C Boyle; B Quigley, K Meaney; R Munnelly, C Coss, C Begley; B Sheehan, MJ Tierney, G Walsh.
Subs: C Healy for Strong; C Kelly for Coss; P McMahon for Meaney.
LOUTH: N Gallagher; R Carroll, D Finnegan, G Hoey; J O’Brien, D Crilly, A Reid; P Keenan, M Fanning; A McDonnell, B Donnelly, B White; P Smith, S Lennon, K Rogers.
Subs: D Maguire for Smith; C McGuinness for Fanning; C Rafferty for Lennon; D Clarke for Carroll; D Reid for Rogers.
Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry)
