Armagh cruelly denied as Convery strikes late

Ulster SHC quarter-final/ Derry 1-14 Armagh 0-16: Debutants Armagh were dealt rough justice in yesterday's Ulster SHC quarter-final at Casement Park when they lost by a single point, struck from a free seconds from the final whistle.

Ruairi Convery gave Derry a rather lucky victory and a place next Sunday in the semi-final against Down, back at Casement.

This was Armagh's first appearance in the senior championship but they matched Derry every step of the way. The sides were level nine times. A draw would have been a fairer result.

At the break, after wind advantage, Armagh were 0-10 to 1-5 in front. The Derry goal was snatched in the fourth minute by Paddy McCloskey and, in the end, made all the difference.

This was a game of free-taking with Convery for Derry and Declan Coulter for Armagh in spectacular striking form. Neither missed a chance of a score from a placed sliotar and the luck of the draw gave the final say to Swatragh's Convery.

Apart from the opening four minutes when Derry went 1-1 to 0-0 ahead, only a point or two separated the sides throughout the match. Armagh led by 0-10 to 1-5 at the interval after playing with wind but Seán McBride, and Convery from placed balls, had Derry back in front after five minutes of the second half. From there the scores swayed from side to side.

With a minute left, Seán Leo McGoldrick screwed over a Derry point for the lead but Armagh stormed back for Coulter to level.

In the dying seconds Derry were awarded a free 30 metres out and Convery popped the ball over the bar for victory. The foul by Philip Kirk looked like a push in the back but referee Declan Magee seemed to think it was more serious as he flashed the red card at the Armagh corner back.

DERRY: J McEldowney; S McCullough, S Bradley, R McCloskey; P O'Kane, K Hinphey (0-1), C Brunton; R Kennedy, R Convery (0-10, seven frees, two 65s); G O'Kane, C Quinn; O McCloskey; S McBride (0-1, sideline cut), P McCloskey (1-0), SL McGoldrick (0-2). Subs: D McSorley for G O'Kane (25 mins), E McGuigan for P McCloskey (51 mins), B Dodds for Kennedy (57 mins), G Kelly for O McCloskey (70 mins).

ARMAGH: J Burke; B Mallon, JJ Sheridan, B Kirk; P McArdle, P McCormack (0-1 free), B McCormack; C Christie (0-2), B McCann; R Gaffney (0-2), C McCann, G Enright; F Bradley (0-2), D Coulter (0-9, seven frees), C Carville.

Referee: D Magee(Down).