Armagh Club football & hurling

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Minor Championship Quarter-Final: St Patrick's 0-6 St Peter's 1-8

The Minor team's championship hops ran aground on Saturday afternoon when they fell to a more physically dominant St Peter's side in Cullyhanna. From the first throw in, it was clear that Cullyhanna were giving away quite a bit in height in most positions, however they did not allow this to intimidate them and took an early lead with a great Rory O'Neill point after 3 minutes. St Peter's soon replied however and two points, one from a free, put them in the lead. It was not until the 19th minute that Cullyhanna scored again when Sean Connell marauded forward from defence to kick a superb point after a Terry Conlon pass. By this stage St Pat's had gotten to grips with their opponents at midfield and were beginning to get on top in the match. It was particularly unfortunate therefore that at this juncture, full back Gareth Mackin was forced off the pitch due to an injury sustained following a late challenge.

After 26 minutes, Colm Hoey burst through the Lurgan defence threatening a goal but shot wide. Hoey wasted no time in making amends however when he collected a ball rebounding off the post and chipped it over the bar to put his side in front. Despite dominating possession at this stage, some wasteful shooting prevented Cullyhanna extending their lead and a rally from St Peter's late in the half resulted in 3 quick-fire points to put them 2 ahead. The final score of the half was to be finest however as Colm Hoey won possession at midfield, waltzed through the St Peter's defence before laying the ball off to Anton McCooey who kicked an excellent score.

After a competitive and hard-hitting half of football, St Pat's looked well-placed trailing by a single point (0-4 to 0-5) having faced a stiff breeze. The side had competed well at midfield considering the deficit in size and appeared to have every opportunity of progressing to semi-final.

Unfortunately, the exertions of the first half seemed to still affecting the home side as they struggled to contain their visitors early in the second period. From the early stages of the half, St Peter's raised their game considerably and signalled their intent with a goal effort which Gary Keenan had to push over the bar from point blank range. Gary was called into action again soon after when it took a heroically brave sprawling save to deny what appeared a certain goal. St Peter's had began to control play and seemed to lay siege to the Cullyhanna goal. The home side defended stoutly however two points in the middle of the half, one a pointed free and another fisted over, gave St Peter's a commanding four point lead. The match was over as a contest after 58 minutes when a St Peter's free dropped into the net for a goal. To their credit Cullyhanna rallied somewhat after conceding the goal with points from Rory O'Neill and substitute Aidan Conlon however St Peter's finished deserved winners on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-6.

While the players will no doubt be desperately disappointed to have exited the championship, they can be proud of their efforts, particularly the magnificent victory over Crossmaglen in the previous round. Had a number of key players not been missing through injury, things could have been different but, with the large number of the players involved still under 16, hopefully they can look forward to more success at this grade in future years.

Starting XV: G Keenan; N Donnelly, G Mackin, P Savage; S Connell(0-1), D Mackin, C Connolly; C Hoey (0-1), K McCooey; T Conlon, A McCooey (0-1), P Mackin; A Nugent, R O'Neill (0-2), C Nugent. Subs Used: A Conlon (0-1)

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Really looking forward to the match tomorrow night. Highlight of my sporting year so far without doubt.

Logic dictates that Cross should win this match with a bit to spare. They have the experienced men who know how to win championship matches and have seen it all before. None of our lads have ever played in a Senior semi-final before. Cross have Armagh's brightest prospect in their forward line along with a gluttony of intercounty footballers. They have literally dozens of Armagh medals amongst their side, the only Cullyhanna man ever to win an Armagh senior title had to don the amber and black to get his medals. They've lost one match in the League all year, we've lost 8. We haven't beaten them at senior level in years.

But yet I can't dislodge from my brain the possibility that we might have a chance. That's the beauty of sport I suppose. If Robbie Tasker manages to outscore Jamie Clarke it could get very interesting.

Up the Pat's!

[overthehill]

think the eventual winners will some from the semi tomorow.. dromintee arnt that hot and if and thats a big if we beat cross we wouldnt fear them 1 bit..  any 50 50 calls tonight was got by dromintee.

no doubt we will have full support from our neighbours the 'bridge' tomorow in ibrox..lol
scum

Wee bit over the top there! In fairness i hear the Bridge let our boys have a runout on their pitch friday night so fair play to them for that!

As for the match itself Im a bit like Tac-the heart is wanting it so bad its about to burst but the head is telling me I cant see it! But at the end of the day its a match so we have a chance.

Think its essential we start well-if cross get away they can end up tanking you!!  Think we will need a couple of goals as cross i feel have better point takers! And in Tasker we have the most natural goalscorer in the county so heres hopeing!!

Oisin been out is an obvious boost although there are rumours flying about that the McEntees have been back training with Cross this 3 weeks and are togging out!! How much truth is in this i dont know!!

[illdecide]

P OG's v Clans in the B League quarter final play offs next sunday (03rd October) at 12:00 noon. Venue TBA (most likely neutral venue)

[sammymaguire]

What date is the Armagh county final pencilled in for?? Is it semi-finals stage now?

[sean og]

Intermediate next sunday 3rd Oct
Juinor on the 10th Oct
Senior on the 17th Oct

[BroJolly]

Any word on the athletic grounds being available?

[winsamsoon]

Clans got a vital two points against the sarsfields. A one point victory.

[gaapunter]

Clans got a vital two points against the sarsfields. A one point victory.

Win is that the Clans now safe?

[fcuksake]

Harps beat Newtown by 8 or 9 points

[winsamsoon]

Think it's still possible for les blues to go down but it will take a couple of hail mary's and maybe some conspiring( which I wouldn't rule out)

[Goats Do Shave]

Ballyhegan beat Madden 1.07 - 0.09

Good game, vital win!

[IVEDECIDED]

Clans got a vital two points against the sarsfields. A one point victory.

It was a two point win the score board was wrong - anyway Clans should have won this by 10 or 12 have been 9 points up in the second half before they started f**king about as usual!

[armaghniac]

HT Cross 1-09 Pats 0-07

[Ard Macha]

Clonmore beat St Pauls by 4 points and they even had 2 players sent off..