This was always going to be a tough assignment for Monaghan as they had to field without the Castleblayney contingent which seriously weakened them and so it proved as Armagh ran out seventeen point winners in the end. For sixty minutes though, this was a fairly competitive contest with Stephen Reneghan’s goal after twenty minutes the main difference between the sides as Armagh led by 1-4 to 0-2, at the break, although they could have been further ahead as they registered thirteen wides in all in the first half as the strong wind played havoc with shooting. Monaghan started the second half brightly with Eamon Collins and Tadhg Campbell, registering points to keep the home side in touch. Later they then suffered a severe blow with the straight red card dismissal of Luke McKenna fifteen minutes from time and with the extra man Armagh now took an increasing control to run out comfortable winners with two late goals from Dylan McKenna, while Eoin McGuinness also raised a green flag to complete the rout.
Teams and Scorers: Monaghan :- Niall Butler, Pearse Mc Kenna, Jamie Guinan, Gareth Brennan, Conor Mc Kenna, Philip Brooks, Conor Gernon, Luke Mc Kenna, Oran Kiernan, Cathal Power, Cathal Mc Anespie, Tadhg Campbell 0-3, Shane Mc Nally, Eamonn Collins 0-2 (1f), Nathan Farrell. Subs Used :- Dylan Mullholland for P Brooks, Trevor Hilliard for O Kiernan, Padraic Mc Gahon for C Mc Anespie, Patrick Bermingham for S Mc Nally, Martin Murphy for N Farrell.
Armagh :- Fintan Woods, Odhran Curry, Artie Mc Guinness, Patrick Quinn, Tiarnan Nevin, Davy Bridges, Paddy Mc Grane, Barry Short, Caolan Rice 0-1, Dylan Mc Kenna 2-0, Ruairi Fullerton 0-5 (3f), Stephen Renaghan 1-0, Danny Magee 0-3, Eoin Mc Guinness 1-1, Nathan Curry 0-1. Subs Used :- Odhran Mc Cann for B Short, Mattie Mc Evoy for P Quinn, Glen Mc Keown for R Fullerton. Referee :- James Clarke (Cavan)
Photo courtesy of richiespics7873@outlook.com
