ALLIANZ FL D2: ARMAGH EDGE OUT LOUTH

Allianz Football League Division Two

Armagh 0-12 Louth 0-11

By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

Armagh held on for a crucial Allianz Football League Division Two win

Louth went into the break a point ahead (0-5 to 0-4), having led throughout with convincing attacks and intelligent tackling, but Armagh were frustrated after leaving two goal chances behind.

The Leinster side impressed in the opening 35 minutes under new manager Ger Brennan. Louth had the wind in the opening half which helped with some of their scores, whereas Armagh were a bit more ponderous in choosing attacks and also coughed up cheap possession early on.

Played in the BOX-It Athletic Grounds, Louth came flying out of the traps with Craig Lennon causing Armagh problems with his incisive runs, while Tommy Durnin and captain Sam Mulroy also impressed.

However, Armagh rallied in the second half and following the introduction of Jarly Og Burns they started to win the important battles, while up front Stefan Campbell and Conor Turbitt stepped up and when needed they defended.

Louth raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead with Paul Mathews, Ryan Burns, Ciaran Keenan and full-back Dermot Campbell on target, while Burns point would have been a goal, but for Blaine Hughe’s fantastic deflective save.

Armagh gave National League debuts to Oisin Conaty and Peter McGrane but were missing Crossmaglen’s Rian O’Neill and Dromintee’s Aaron McKay and Conaty was on target a minute after Turbitt opened Armagh’s account in the second quarter.

Durnin and Rory Grugan traded impressive points while Turbitt’s point closed the gap, but he could have struck a goal only for a super save from keeper Niall McDonnell.

Louth started the second much like the first with three points on the trot, from Sam Mulroy (2) and Conor Grimes, while Stefan Campbell and Aidan Forker hit back to narrow the gap.

Frees from Rory Grugan and Turbitt had the sides level on 53 minutes as Armagh replied four points in a row and Stefan Campbell’s second put the Orchard in front for the first time of the evening.

Louth refused to lie down and each time Armagh scored the Wee County dug out a reply.

Conor Turbitt steered over twice again to nudge the Orchard in front, but Louth’s Ciaran Downey kept Louth in the game with seconds left of normal time. Brennan’s men had the Orchard pressed back but Kieran McGeeney’s men held firm and where thankful for the strong wind when Mulloy’s 45’ drifted wide.

It’s a big result for Armagh, who always find it tough to overcome Louth and they won’t be the last this season.

Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Paddy Burns, Ciaran Higgins, Peter McGrane; Barry McCambridge, Greg McCabe, Aidan Forker (0-1); Ben Crealey, Ciaran Mackin; Conor O’Neill, Rory Grugan (0-2, 1f), Joe McElroy; Stefan Campbell (0-3), Conor Turbitt (0-5, 4f), Oisín Conaty (0-1).

Subs: Shane McPartlan for Higgins (46’), Jarly Óg Burns for McCambridge (54’), Jemar Hall for McCabe (67’), Oisin O’Neill (69’), Jason Duffy for Forker (70+3’).

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal, McKenny, Dermot Campbell (0-1), Peter Lynch; Craig Lennon, Anthony Williams, Ciaran Murphy; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin (0-1); Paul Mathews (0-1), Ciaran Keenan (0-1), Conor Grimes (0-1); Ryan Burns (0-1), Sam Mulroy (0-3, 3f), Ciaran Downey (0-2).

Subs: Conall McCaul for Early (54), Leonard Grey for Murphy (63), Dylan McKeown for Burns (63), Wayne Campbell for Mathews (69), Kyle McElroy for Keenan (70+7).

Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway).

Photo Credit: Louth GAA (Alicija McGuinness Studio Upstairs Photography)