Armagh started the last day of the league knowing that even a narrow win against already relegated Derry might not be enough, but their 15-point drubbing over the Oak Leafers did just the trick to ensure Division 1 status next season.
Four goals in a thrilling seven-minute spell at the start of the second half put Derry to the sword, and they had no way back with over 25 minutes still to play. With 12 different scorers, ten from the first half, Kieran McGeeney's men go into the Ulster Championship in confident mood.
Derry were forced to play much of the game with only 14-men following Shane McGuigan’s sending off after 30 minutes. It was a massive blow for Paddy Tally’s men and Armagh made it count straight at the start of the second half.
Ross McQuillan rattled the net after being first to react to Stefan Campbell’s shot crashing off the post, then the post played a part again with Barry McCambridge blasting the rebound for Armagh’s second goal.
If you thought that was lucky, then Conor Turbitt’s goal was a gift as his shot that fell short was awarded a goal 15 seconds after Derry keeper Ben McKinless stepped back across the goal-line. Armagh’s tails were up and they still weren’t finished as young Dara McMullan smashed his shot into the goal after Rory Grugan’s intelligent delivery.
So, going into the half-time with a four-point lead, Armagh were suddenly 16 points ahead, with divisional status secured and Derry had no way back. It was keep the scoreboard ticking over for Armagh and damage limitation from Derry.
Earlier in the afternoon news had filtered through that a bug had hit the Orchard squad which forced a number of changes before throw-in. Goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty replaced last year’s All-Star nominated Blaine Hughes, while it was a first start for Belleek young star Callum O’Neill, who came in for Connaire O’Neill while Young Player of the 2024 Year took the place of Jason Duffy.
Armagh also lost Armagh captain Aaron Forker as he made way for Tomas McCormick, while it was a rare start for Stefan Campell, with Jarly Og Burns making way.
Tally’s Derry also shuffled the back with Ben McKinless unsurprisingly replacing keeper Neill McNicholl, while Jody McDermott came in for wing-back Patrick McGurk, Caolan Devlin replaced Dan Higgins while Ben McCarron got the nod ahead of Niall Loughan at corner forward.
Even before that gluttony of goals, the defending All-Ireland champions were on top.
Played in the Box-It Athletic Grounds, there were only 21 seconds on the clock when Ross McQuillan raced forward and steered Armagh into the lead and he was the first of 10 different first half scorers for Kieran McGeeney’s men.
Eyes and ears where also on the Galway v Kerry and Tyrone v Dublin game but Armagh didn’t look back as a Grugan (free), Campbell and McQuillan’s second put the Orchard 0-04 to 0-02 ahead with Derry’s points coming from the impressive Conor Doherty.
Young Darragh McMullan had his back to goal and slipped his effort between the post to stretch Armagh’s lead before Conor Doherty bagged the only two-pointer of the half, but not for the lack of trying as the Oak Leafers squandered nine first half shots wide and had two drop short.
Armagh stretched their lead to 0-10 to 0-05 with Oisin Conaty, Thomas McCormack, Greg McCabe and Campbell on target for Armagh while Ethan Doherty replied for Derry before Niall Toner (2) and then Marty Bradley, after a lung-bursting run gave the small band of Derry supporters something to cheer about.
Armagh finished the half in confident form as Turbit and Peter Grane flashed over points to give the Orchard a 0-12 to 0-08 lead.
The goal deluge followed soon after the restart and while Conor Glass steered over two stunning two-pointers, the game was up long before the hooter, although fine fetching and scores from Andrew Murnin, a two-pointer from Rafferty and an impressive starting debut from Belleek lad, O’Neill, were some notable highlights.
KEY: tp - two-point score; tpf - two-point free; tpm - two-point mark
Armagh: E Rafferty (0-03, 1 tp), P McGrane (0-01), B McCambridge (1-00), P Burns, C Mackin, G McCabe (0-01), T McCormack (0-02), C O’Neill, O Conaty (0-01), D McMullan (1-01), R Grugan (0-03, 1tp), CTurbitt (1-04, 1f), S Campbell (0-04 ), A Murnin (0-02), R McQuillan (1-02).
Subs: J McElroy for R McQuillan (47'), J Og Burns for C Mackin (54’), J Hall for Conaty (56’), G Murphy for P Burns (67’), O O’Neill for R Grugan (67’).
Derry: B McKinless, D Baker, E McEvoy, M Bradley (0-01) C Doherty (0-03, 1tp) P McGrogan, J McDermott, C Glass (0-06, 2tp, 1 45’ ), A Tohill (1-00), E Doherty, N Toner (0-03, 2f), C Devlin (0-03, 2f), B McCarron, S McGuigan (0-01), P Cassidy (0-01)
Subs: P McGurk for J McDermott (32’), M Doherty for M Bradley (47’), D Cassidy for B McCarron (55’), B Mulholland for D Baker (56’), C Diamond for C Doherty (60’)
Referee: David Gough (Meath).
