Mark Lynch: scored seven frees for Derry but it wasn’t enough to beat the men from the Orchard County
DESPITE beating Derry, Armagh join Laois in taking the drop in the Allianz National Football League Division 2 after a six points win this afternoon (throw in 2 pm).
The Oakleafers gave a spirited performance in the second half but they left themselves with too much to do at the interval needing to turn around an eight point deficit.
Derry’s James Kielt opened the second half scoring with a point from a free on 38 minutes.
Armagh scored from a free but three success points from Ryan Bell from open play, a Mark Lynch free and another Jack Kielt point this time from open play and Armagh’s lead was now down to five points.
Watters scored a long range point for Armagh while Lynch replied from a free and the lead was still five points on 46 minutes.
And on 53 minutes Mark Lynch scored a huge free and Derry inched forward again.
Then Lynch scored another free and Armagh’s lead was cut to just a goal.
Armagh scored only their third point of the second half but it kept their noses in front by four points.
But super Mark Lynch scored his seventh free of the afternoon and the lead was back to a goal and five minutes of normal time left.
There was seven minutes of additional time but was it enough for Derry to grab a goal and share the spoils?
In the end it wasn’t to be.
Three successive points from Armagh players Mallon, Rafferty and Campbell and the Orchard County’s lead was stretched to six points – 1-18 to 0-15 – which was enough to secure the win.
FIRST HALF REPORT
ARMAGH took an eight point lead into the interval at the Athletic Grounds.
It had been end to end scoring for periods but in the closing stages of the first half Armagh fired over point after point before grabbing a late goal.
After Armagh got off to a fast start, Mark Lynch equalised before a long range free from Jack Kielt gave Derry a lead
Sammy Bradley then scored a brilliant point only for Campbell to pull one back for Armagh.
Shields levelled if for Armagh only for new groom Sean Leo – who got married just two days ago – puts Derry ahead again 0-4 to Armagh’s 0-3
But on 12 minutes O’Hanlon levelled it for Armagh and it was all square at the Athletic Grounds.
And with three quick fire points Armagh got their noses in front again before Mark Lynch pulled one back from a free
Sammy Bradley fired over his second point from play and Armagh’s lead is cut to one point.
On 21 minutes, Emmett McGuckin levelled the game with a great score.
But with ten minutes to half time Armagh scored another point to take the lead.
Two long range points gave Armagh a three lead on 29 minutes.
And with two minutes to half time Rafferty scored for Armagh and the Orchard County’s lead goes to four points.
Derry then conceded another kick out and Armagh’s lead went to five poins.
In the final stages of the first half Emmett Bradley replaced Conor McAtamney.
But Armagh were on a roll and Miceal McKenna scored a goal at the end of the first half to lead the interval by 1-12 to Derry’s 0-07.
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