Armagh won their first All-Ireland minor football title in 60 years with a late surge to defeat Mayo by 0-10 to 0-07 at Croke Park.
A decider that failed to live up to expectations ended with Mayo plunged into a depressingly familiar state of misery, their poor record in All-Ireland finals extended by yet another defeat.
Beaten finalists last season as well, the Connacht champions were in touch right up until the final five minutes, and but for two excellent saves by Armagh goalkeeper Stephen O’Reilly, they could well have claimed the Tom Markham Cup.
But in the end, the Ulster side emerged as deserved winners, thanks chiefly to the key roles played by playmaker Andrew Murnin and corner forward Robbie Tasker.
Mayo twice went ahead in the second half, but three late scores from Thomas McAlinden, Peter Carragher and the excellent Tasker sealed it for the Orchard.
Mayo failed to cash in on an early period of pressure, when they could have had a goal when centre back Shane McDermott charged through to take Alex Corduff’s pass, but goalkeeper Stephen O’Reilly pulled off a fine save.
Rory Grugan and Eugene McVerry edged the Ulster champions ahead, but the sides were level by the tenth minute when an excellent effort by midfielder Danny Kirby added to Brian Ruttledge’s converted free.
As Armagh continued to press, thanks to the industry in midfield of James Donnelly and the space allowed to Andrew Murnin to probe from deep, Mayo had to defend with discipline, with Michael Walsh getting in a textbook tackle to deny Tasker.
The sides were level on three occasions as Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor and Fergal Durkan traded points with Murnin and McVerry, and they went in at the break deadlocked on 0-04 each.
Mayo went ahead for the first time through Brian Ruttledge, but the sides were level for the fifth time in the36th minute after Ciaran Charlton had responded to McVerry’s excellent effort.
Wing back Charlton was also responsible for some of the westerners’ best defensive efforts, getting a vital interception to deny Robbie Tasker a goal chance.
The Orchard teenagers gradually gained control, but shot seven wides in the third quarter alone.
Mayo survived a spell of heavy pressure to regain the lead through skipper Aidan Walsh, and goalkeeper O’Reilly had to come to Armagh’s rescue once again, saving at point-blank range from substitute Jack McDonnell.
Mayo goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann was also called into action with a smart save, but he could do nothing to halt the late surge which saw Tasker swing over a couple of gems, with points also from substitute Thomas McAlinden and midfielder Peter Carragher sealing a first title since 1949 for Armagh.
Armagh: S O’Reilly, K Downey, R Finnegan, K Nugent, D McKenna, N Rowland, J Morgan, P Carragher (0-01), J Donnelly, R Grugan (0-01, f), A Murnin (0-01), C King, R Tasker (0-03), E McVerry (0-03, 2f), G McParland.
Subs: T McAlinden (0-01) for McVerry (36) C McCafferty for Finnegan (53).
Mayo: M Schlingermann, M Walsh, K Rogers, D Gavin, C Charlton (0-01), S McDermott, C Crowe; D Kirby (0-01), A Farrell, B Ruttledge (0-02, 1f), D Coen, F Durkan (0-01), A Corduff, A Walsh (0-01, f), C O’Connor (0-01).
Subs: J Carney for Farrell (39), J McDonnell for Coen (43)
Referee: E Kinsella (Laois).
