Roscommon produced a remarkable second-half to send Armagh crashing out of the All-Ireland series at Hyde Park on a 1-11 to 1-09 scoreline.
Jamie Clarke scored 1-3 in the opening half as Armagh took Roscommon apart and led by double scores at the interval. Clarke’s goal after eight minutes saw Armagh cruise to a 1-7 to 0-5 half-time lead.
But a Senan Kilbride goal within half a minute of the restart saw Roscommon take control and they held Armagh to just two points before pulling away for a remarkable win.
Wind was not a factor at Hyde Park, yet Armagh failed to score for 26 minutes of the second-half and in the end managed just two points in the entire second period.
Kibride’s goal lifted Roscommon and Cathal Shine pointed before Donie Shine levelled the match with his fifth free after 44 minutes.
Armagh were not able to win the breaks around the middle of the field and with Roscommon keeping their full compliment of defenders in place in a bid to counter Armagh’s two-man full-forward line, Clarke was unable to get possession to do further damage.
Roscommon kicked eight wides in the second-half but they hit the front after 49 minutes with another free from Shine and never surrendered the lead.
Shine and Karol Mannion extended the lead to a goal before sub Tony Kernan finally got Armagh’s first score of the second period when he pointed from the left.
But Roscommon were not to be denied and the superb Cathal Cregg restored their goal lead five minutes from time.
Another point from Kernan, this time from a free, in the closing stages ensured a nervous finish but Roscommon were not to be denied and they held on for a remarkable win to end Armagh’s season.
Roscommon: D Shine 0-7 (6fs); S Kilbride 1-1 (0-1f); C Cregg 0-1; K Mannion 0-1; C Shine 0-1.
Armagh: J Clarke 1-3; A Forker 0-2 (2fs); T Kernan 0-2 (1f); J Hanratty 0-1; A Duffy 0-1.
Roscommon: G Claffey; S McDermott, N Carty, S Purcell; N Collins, P Domican, I Kilbride; C Shine, K Mannion; N Kilroy, C Cregg, N Daly; S Kilbride, C Compton, D Shine.
Subs: G Heneghan for Kilroy, 35; M Finneran for C Shine, 43; D Ward for Collins, 55; D McDermott for Compton, 62; J Rogers for Cregg, 67.
Armagh: P McEvoy; A Mallon, B Donaghy, D McKenna; F Moriarty, C McKeever, P Duffy; J Hanratty, K Toner; A Forker, K Dyas, A Duffy; J Clarke, C Rafferty, G McPartland.
Subs: M Mackin for Forker, 43; C Vernon for McParland, 55; J Lavery for McKenna, 60; T Kernan for Dyas, 60; J Kingham for Duffy, 65.
Referee: M Deegan (Laois).
