With nothing but pride to play for, Armagh and Cork played out an entertaining draw in their final NFL Division 2 game at Crossmaglen this afternoon.
This tie came alive in the final quarter-hour, during which Armagh's Aaron Kernan and Corkman Conor McCarthy were both sent-off.
Two points apiece from Paddy McKeever and Oisin McConville had the hosts 0-06 to 0-04 ahead at half-time.
Nicholas Murphy's 59th-minute goal and a punched point from top scorer Daniel Goulding then saw Cork surge into a 1-09 to 0-09 lead.
Yet Armagh's strong finish, with Aidan O'Rourke, McConville and McKeever helping themselves to scores, was crowned by a levelling point from Stephen McDonnell.
On as a substitute, McDonnell held his nerve to slot a 74th-minute shot through the uprights and ensure a share of the spoils for his side.
Cork corner-forward John Hayes looked to have nabbed the victory with an injury-time fisted point, but McDonnell had the final say.
The only goal of the game came from one of Cork's best attacks of the afternoon. It was a well-executed effort from Murphy, who took a precise pass from Sean O'Brien and crashed the ball home just shy of the hour.
Cork's heavy club championship schedule on Friday night took its toll.
Key defender Anthony Lynch was injured playing for his club Naomh Abán and his left corner-back spot was taken by Kieran O'Connor, in one of four changes to the Cork line-up in the match programme.
In a rejigged defence, Graham Canty and Ger Spillane were also missing with Spillane still mourning the loss of his father, who died in the lead-up to this game.
The visitors began brightly and led by 0-03 to 0-01 after nine minutes thanks to points from Daniel Goulding (0-02) and John Hayes.
But this was where Cork's dominance ended as Armagh went on to score the next five points with the influential McConville and McKeever kicking two points each.
A 21st-minute Michael O'Rourke point put Armagh in front for the first time.
Cork kept up the pressure and claimed the final point of the opening half with Goulding on target from 45 metres out.
But the Cork management were left rueing their side's seven first half wides as Armagh turned around with a slender lead.
Although Goulding kicked the first point of the second half, Armagh maintained their momentum and kicked three of the next four points.
A brilliant McConville sideline kick ensured his side broke 0-09 to 0-06 clear as the game entered the final quarter.
Rallying well, Cork were not finished yet and points from O'Brien and Goulding, coupled with Murphy's goal, saw the visitors assume the lead with 11 minutes remaining.
Then followed the dismissals. A second yellow card for Kernan, along with a straight red card for Cork substitute McCarthy, who was seen striking Martin O'Rourke, came in the closing eight minutes of an otherwise clean and open game.
Scores from Aidan O'Rourke and McConville were followed by a third pointed free from McKeever which levelled the game for only the second time.
Hayes helped Cork go back in front but McDonnell, just minutes on the pitch, landed a point from the right side to ensure the draw.
ARMAGH: C McKinney; P Kernan, F Bellew, F Moriarty; A Kernan (0-01), A O'Rourke (0-01), C McKeever; P McGrane, D McKenna (0-01); C Vernon, P McKeever (0-03, 0-03f), B Mallon; O McConville (0-05, 0-02f, 0-01 sl), G Swift, Michael O'Rourke (0-01).
Substitutes used: Martin O'Rourke for Mallon (20 mins), P Loughran for Vernon (50), R Clarke for Swift (55), A Mallon for Moriarty (58), S McDonnell (0-01) for Michael O'Rourke (69).
CORK: A Quirke; D Duggan, D Kavanagh, K O'Connor; P Kissane, S O'Donoghue, J Miskella; N Murphy (1-00), F Goold; S O'Brien (0-01), K O'Sullivan, K MacMahon; D Goulding (0-06, 0-03f, 0-02 45'), J Masters, J Hayes (0-03, 0-01f).
Substitutes used: P Kelly for K O'Sullivan (half-time), C McCarthy for MacMahon (58 mins), N O'Leary for Masters (70+2).
Referee: Vincent Neary (Mayo).
