OISÍN CONATY FIRED a wondergoal as Armagh came from 11 points down to secure a remarkable Croke Park win, giving the 2024 All-Ireland champions a fighting chance of remaining in Division 1.
Kieran McGeeney’s crew trailed by the double-digit margin early in the second half but turned things around superbly to record just their second win of the campaign.
With a single game to go – Armagh will host Kerry in Round 7 while Dublin will travel to Galway – relegation remains a big concern for both counties.
But Armagh will move forward with vital momentum after this comeback win that was inspired by man of the match Conaty, who struck 1-03, the same tally as Cian McConville.
Conaty’s 65th minute solo goal was a score of the season contender, nudging his team three points clear at that crucial stage.
There were big impacts from substitutes Oisín O’Neill and Conor Turbitt too while Tomás McCormack and the excellent Ross McQuillan split six points evenly between them.
Both players finished with 14 players as Dublin’s Brian Howard and Armagh’s Tiernan Kelly were sent off together early in the final quarter.
An Armagh full-back line containing the returning Aaron McKay was under siege initially.
With 10 minutes played, Dublin already led by 1-05 to 0-01 as they chased back-to-back wins for the first time this year.
Niall Scully stroked over four points during the blitz while Ross McGarry waltzed through for Dublin’s goal after just four minutes.
Blaine Hughes in the Armagh goal got his hand to the shot but couldn’t keep it out as the Dublin fans in the 23,533 crowd exploded into life.
Armagh gained a brief foothold in the game when they outscored Dublin by 1-03 to 0-01 between the 17th and 23rd minutes, leaving just three in it.
Dublin will be disappointed about the goal concession as McConville left a couple of defenders in his wake before slotting beyond Hugh O’Sullivan.
But the hosts took off again and finished the half strongly with Paddy Small, Seán Bugler and Luke Breathnach points doubling their advantage to six points.
The same trio added another burst of scores approaching the interval, climaxing with a Bugler two-pointer right on the buzzer.
A skirmish broke out as the teams exited the field, apparently prompted by Scully and Jarlath Óg Burns clashing. Referee David Gough showed Burns a black card at the start of the second half.
There was a booking too for Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney, accompanied by a free in for Dublin that Scully happily chipped over to begin the second half and extend Dublin’s lead to 1-16 to 1-6.
Another Bugler score shoved the margin out to 11 points in Dublin’s favour.
Armagh were staring relegation in the face but turned in a spectacular second-half performance to turn the 11-point deficit into a precious two-point win.
It was a second half that had a bit of everything; from the madness of the Howard and Kelly red cards in the 57th minute – both players were booked and then booked a second time just a minute or so later – to the majesty of the Conaty goal.
McQuillan was hugely influential while Armagh got a significant kick from the bench with Oisín O’Neill firing five points and Turbitt adding three.
Dublin will be concerned with how they struggled to get their kick outs away and Armagh took full advantage, giving their survival hopes a major boost.
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Armagh push Dubs into relegation bother with stormy win
Armagh 2-24
Dublin 1-25
Paul Keane reports from Croke Park
OISÍN CONATY FIRED a wondergoal as Armagh came from 11 points down to secure a remarkable Croke Park win, giving the 2024 All-Ireland champions a fighting chance of remaining in Division 1.
Kieran McGeeney’s crew trailed by the double-digit margin early in the second half but turned things around superbly to record just their second win of the campaign.
With a single game to go – Armagh will host Kerry in Round 7 while Dublin will travel to Galway – relegation remains a big concern for both counties.
But Armagh will move forward with vital momentum after this comeback win that was inspired by man of the match Conaty, who struck 1-03, the same tally as Cian McConville.
Conaty’s 65th minute solo goal was a score of the season contender, nudging his team three points clear at that crucial stage.
There were big impacts from substitutes Oisín O’Neill and Conor Turbitt too while Tomás McCormack and the excellent Ross McQuillan split six points evenly between them.
Both players finished with 14 players as Dublin’s Brian Howard and Armagh’s Tiernan Kelly were sent off together early in the final quarter.
An Armagh full-back line containing the returning Aaron McKay was under siege initially.
With 10 minutes played, Dublin already led by 1-05 to 0-01 as they chased back-to-back wins for the first time this year.
Niall Scully stroked over four points during the blitz while Ross McGarry waltzed through for Dublin’s goal after just four minutes.
Blaine Hughes in the Armagh goal got his hand to the shot but couldn’t keep it out as the Dublin fans in the 23,533 crowd exploded into life.
Armagh gained a brief foothold in the game when they outscored Dublin by 1-03 to 0-01 between the 17th and 23rd minutes, leaving just three in it.
Dublin will be disappointed about the goal concession as McConville left a couple of defenders in his wake before slotting beyond Hugh O’Sullivan.
But the hosts took off again and finished the half strongly with Paddy Small, Seán Bugler and Luke Breathnach points doubling their advantage to six points.
The same trio added another burst of scores approaching the interval, climaxing with a Bugler two-pointer right on the buzzer.
A skirmish broke out as the teams exited the field, apparently prompted by Scully and Jarlath Óg Burns clashing. Referee David Gough showed Burns a black card at the start of the second half.
There was a booking too for Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney, accompanied by a free in for Dublin that Scully happily chipped over to begin the second half and extend Dublin’s lead to 1-16 to 1-6.
Another Bugler score shoved the margin out to 11 points in Dublin’s favour.
Armagh were staring relegation in the face but turned in a spectacular second-half performance to turn the 11-point deficit into a precious two-point win.
It was a second half that had a bit of everything; from the madness of the Howard and Kelly red cards in the 57th minute – both players were booked and then booked a second time just a minute or so later – to the majesty of the Conaty goal.
McQuillan was hugely influential while Armagh got a significant kick from the bench with Oisín O’Neill firing five points and Turbitt adding three.
Dublin will be concerned with how they struggled to get their kick outs away and Armagh took full advantage, giving their survival hopes a major boost.
Armagh scorers: Oisín Conaty 1-3, Cian McConville 1-3 (0-2f), Oisín O’Neill 0-5 (0-3f, 1x 2pt), Conor Turbitt 0-3 (1x 2pt), Tomás McCormack 0-3, Ross McQuillan 0-3, Jason Duffy 0-2, Callum O’Neill 0-1 (0-1f), Ben Crealey 0-1.
Dublin scorers: Paddy Small 0-6 (1x 2pt), Niall Scully 0-5 (0-2f), Luke Breathnach 0-4, Seán Bugler 0-4 (1x 2pt), Ross McGarry 1-0, Killian McGinnis 0-3, Eoin Kennedy 0-2, Cormac Costello 0-1.
Armagh
1. Blaine Hughes (Carrickruppen)
4. Peter McGrane (Ballyhegan)
18. Aaron McKay (Dromintee)
3. Gareth Murphy (Killeavey)
5. Ross McQuillan (Cullyhanna)
6. Tiernan Kelly (Clann Éireann)
7. Jarlath Óg Burns (Silverbridge)
8. Callum O’Neill (Belleeks)
9. Ben Crealey (Maghery)
2. Tomás McCormack (Annaghmore)
19. Jason Duffy (Cullyhanna)
12. Greg McCabe (Camlough)
13. Cian McConville (Crossmaglen Rangers)
20. Darragh McMullan (Madden)
15. Oisín Conaty (Tír na nÓg)
Subs:
14. Oisín O’Neill (Crossmaglen Rangers) for Callum O’Neill (h/t)
21. Paddy Burns (Burren) for McKay (43-45)
11. Conor Turbitt (Clann Éireann) for Duffy (52)
Burns for McKay (60)
17. Aidan Forker (Maghery) for McMullan (69)
Dublin
1. Hugh O’Sullivan (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
2. Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna)
3. Nathan Doran (Clontarf)
4. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
5. Eoin Kennedy (Cuala)
6. Brian Howard (Raheny)
7. Alex Gavin (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
8. Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala)
9. Charlie McMorrow (Cuala)
19. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
11. Seán Bugler (St Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh)
12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)
13. Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
14. Killian McGinnis (Skerries Harps)
10. Luke Breathnach (Ballinteer St John’s)
Subs:
18. Seán MacMahon (Raheny) for Doran (16)
26. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille) for Breathnach (47)
15. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock) for McGarry (50)
Doran for MacMahon (52)
21. Liam Smith (Ballinteer St John’s) for Byrne (65)
Referee: David Gough (Meath)
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Armagh GAA big win Division 1 Football League Dublin GAA GAA Gaelic Football