Armagh GAA Round-up

● DIVISION ONE

CLARKE OPENS FLOODGATES

Killeavy 0-08 Crossmaglen 3-13

The first score registered in this game was a Jamie Clarke goal which opened the floodgates for a facile win over a very disappointing Killeavy. It was game, set and match by half-time as Cross led 2-10 to 0-2. with John Murtagh raising the second green flag. A very pedestrian second half ended even 1-3  (goal from Francis Hanratty) to 0-6 as Killeavy, with 4 points apiece from Gary Reel and Mark Stanfield, slumped to a third successive defeat.

FIRST HALF GOALS DO THE DAMAGE

Pearse Og 2-10 Carrickcruppen 0-11

Sloppy defensive passing was severly punished by a swift moving Og’s. Behind 2 points to1 when the city side hit a brace of goals inside 5 minutes Cruppen were left with a mountain to climb when 2-7 to 0-4 in arrears at the short whistle. A gallant second half performance gives hope but the elementary costly errors will have to be got rid of.

MULLAGHBAWN WIN AGAIN

Mullaghbawn 1-10 Clan na Gael 0-09

In dire relegation trouble a few weeks ago Mullaghbawn have dug deep to climb to mid table with back to back victories. The importance of Mullaghbawn victories against fellow strugglers is reflected on the league table which sees them with 5 teams beneath them following a crucial 1-10 to 0-9 win over the bottom club.

CULLOVILLE PAY THE PENALTY

Dromintee 2-06  Cullaville 0-10

There was little between the teams in this match which saw them go in level at the break 0-4 apiece. Culloville went three in front but were pegged back by a Dromintee goal. The visitors chances were dealt the telling blow with twelve minutes on the clock as Dromintee converted what was to be a match winning penalty

ST PAT’S BOUNCE BACK IN STYLE

Sarsfields 0-09  St.Patrick’s 1-10

Last week’s dismal performance at Mullaghbawn was erased by St Patrick’s as they picked up two very valuable points away at Sarsfields. A much improved all round performance after a very shaky start, in which they trailed by 4 points the Cullyhanna side were settled by a Ciaran O’Hare goal. The teams were level at the interval 1-4 to 0-7 before the visitors went 5 points to the good with a great scoring burst. Sarsfields who started the league in fine form are now finding the going tough although they were denied by the woodwork on three occasions as they tried to salvage something from the game.

● DIVISION TWO

LEAGUE LEADERS DEFEAT SILVERBRIDGE

Maghery 1-14  Silverbridge 1-07

Despite putting in one of their better performances of the year Silverbridge came away pointless from their visit to the loughshore against league leaders Maghery. The visitors, numerically reduced towards the end of the first half, were only two points in arrears at the break. The home side fired over a succession of points but a converted penalty from substitute Ciaran Conlon kept Maghery in check as they ran out 7 point winners for their sixth win in as many outings. Silverbridge are hovering near the relegation zone.

BALLYMACNAB ON THE DOUBLE

Clann Eireann 0-12 Ballymacnab 1-16 & Ballymacnab 2-12 St.Michael’s 1-08

Ballymacnab have risen from relegation material to title contenders with four wins on the trot. A good week started with a 7 point derby win over St Michael’s who are rooted to the foot of the table. On their travels on Sunday, a good away win at Clann Eireann was recorded which sees the Nab up to third in the table chasing unbeaten leaders Maghery.  Leading 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time, Ballymacnab, goaled through Ryan Kennedy which sealed a very good win in Lurgan. Michael Beagan had an excellent game for the winners.

WHITECROSS PLUCK THE RIGHT CHORDS

Armagh Harps 0-12 Whitecross 3-11

Whitecross are certainly hitting the high scores at present. Their forward line which hit 5-15 last week plucked the right chords this week at Armagh Harps where the shot over 3-11 for an emphatic 8 point and fifth straight league win. Whitecross and Maghery are among the sextet of clubs from all four divisions with a 100% league  record. First half goals from P McGuinness and Neil McSherry, coupled with a Peadar Toal missed penalty, left Whitecross 2-7 to 0-7 in front at half-time. Twenty minutes into the second half Eamon Reavey got the third goal after Conor Malone had earlier missed a penalty.

● DIVISION THREE

LEADERS KEADY DEFEAT SHANES

Keady 2-16  Shane O’Neill’s 0-14

Shane O’Neill’s as was expected, came away from the visit to league leaders Keady empty handed. Early evidence would indicate that Keady are set for a swift return to division two following relegation while promoted Shanes are struggling to adapt to third division life. Keady led 1-12 to 0-6 at the short whistle with a battling Shanes shading the second half.

MIXED FORTUNES FOR LISSUMMON

St.Peter’s 0-07 Lissummon 0-04 & Collegeland 2-07 Lissummon 2-10

There was mixed fortunes from the two games played by Lissummon. A poor performance in Lurgan saw St Peter’s take the honours in a low scoring affair 0-7 to 0-4. More crucially was the win at bottom of the table, Collegeland, who were suffering their second defeat of the week after going down 2-7 to 0-5 at Annaghmore. The win for Lissummon keeps them a point above the two relegation places.

STALEMATE AT TULLYSARRAN

Tullysarran 1-09 An Port Mor 0-12

Tullysarran will be disappointed at having dropped a point at home, to second from bottom of the table An Port Mor as the sides played out a 1-9 to 0-12 draw. Although there is just a little over a handful of games played to date, the leading quartet in this division is opening up a telling gap at the top of the table.

BELLEEK KNOCK OVER THE POINTS

Clonmore 1-07 Belleek 0-22

An exhibition of point taking is exactly what Belleek needed to get their promotion challenge back on track. A couple of defeats had seen Belleek lose touch with the top teams but this scoring exhibition will be a great confidence booster. Leading 0-10 to 0-4 might have looked comfortable for Belleek but their goalkeeper Patrick Hearty pulled off a couple of outstanding saves in both halves, at crucial stages, to keep the home team at bay. Hearty was beaten by a Raymond McAvenney effort but Belleek’s response was positive.

● DIVISION FOUR

SIX OF THE BEST FROM FORKHILL

Forkhill 5-14 Killean 2-04

The top versus bottom encounter was a one way affair with Forkhill winning comfortably for their sixth consecutive league win as opponents Killean have yet to record a win. There is light at the end of the tunnel for the newcomers in that their score of 2-4 is their biggest to date and will give them some confidence. Forkhill, off to their best ever start, will know that tougher assignments lay ahead.

GOOD WIN FOR DORSEY

Dorsey Emmetts 1-09  O’Hanlon’s 0-07

The battle for middle ground supremacy in the division saw Dorsey Emmett’s fashion an important victory over O’Hanlon’s. This was a game of two halves with the home side only scoring two second half points, having led 1-7 to 0-3 at half-time. Indeed, 5 minutes to the short whistle Dorsey trailed 3-2 but produced a 1-5 scoring blitz which effectively won the match for them.

RANGERS SECOND HALF RECOVERY

Corrinshego 2-06 Crossmaglen 2nds 1-10

Crossmaglen Rangers seconds title credentials were severely tested by Corrinshego who led 1-4 to 0-1 at half-time. A sparkling second half performance from corner forward James Hughes, which saw him score 1-5, brought Cross back into the game and helped them squeeze out a narrow win over an unlucky Corrinshigo who let them off the hook.

 GRANGE NOT TROUBLED

Phelim Brady’s 0-03  Grange 1-11

Grange were not troubled by Phelim Brady’s as they recorded their fourth league win. The expected victory keeps Grange in touch with the league leaders and poised to strengthen their challenge over the coming months.

ENTERTAINING DRAW

Derrynoose 2-09 Clady  2-09

Derrynoose and Clady played out an entertaining draw hitting 2-9 apiece. Both teams are struggling badly after a half dozen games, not what was envisaged at the start of the season. Unless they can find some form very quickly the 8 point gap to the leaders will be widened further leaving it a meaningless year with only half of the league matches played.

MULLABRACK CAUSE AN UPSET

Mullabrack 1-07  Eire Og 0-09

Mullabrack caused an upset as they halted the unbeaten run of Eire Og with a win by the minimum margin 1-7 to 0-9. The winners have a habit of turning in some fine performances and brought an end to Eire Og’s 4 match winning sequence. The problem for Mullabrack is consistency of performance and team selection to be a constant threat and title contenders.