Armagh youth make point

Armagh 0-09 Monaghan 0-09: Armagh's young guns fired a warning that they may still prove a force in this year's Dr McKenna Cup when they contained a rather more experienced Monaghan side at Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen, yesterday.

Armagh, fielding only two regulars in Aidan O'Rourke and Andrew McCann, still managed to control the first half during which they benefited from the strong wind to lead 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time.

But they were forced onto the defensive after the break when, in a blistering, five-minute spell, Monaghan knocked over five points and transformed the course of the game.

Armagh's early enterprise was highlighted by two points each from Stephen Kernan and Ryan Henderson, with Gregory Loughran also landing a brace prior to the break. Brian Toner, too, found the range.

Ted Duffy fired over Monaghan's two first-half points, a paltry reward for his side's effort.

But in the third quarter Monaghan were much more threatening, with the Freeman brothers, Thomas and Damien, Eoin Lennon, Vincent Corey and substitute Damien Larkin all piloting over points as Armagh's advantage was trimmed to just a solitary score.

And when the sides were level after Damien Freeman hit his second point, the stage was set for a tense finish.

Kernan struck his third point of the game for Armagh before Monaghan midfielder Raymond Ronaghan thundered over what proved to be the equaliser when he might well have found the net instead.

Armagh, though, were also guilty of squandering goal chances. Toner and Kernan were the chief culprits in this respect.

But the Orchard County, given that they fielded such an experimental side, can perhaps take more encouragement from the outcome.

ARMAGH: P McEvoy; P McCormack, A O'Rourke, G Smyth; B McArdle, P Watters, B Shannon; M Mackin, A McCann; B Toner (0-1), B McGeary, S Kernan (0-3); R Henderson (0-2), G Loughran (0-3), K Fearon. Subs: K McKeever for Watters (50 mins); M McNamee for McArdle (58).

MONAGHAN: P McIlroy; P Keenan, J Coyle, S McGeough; JP Mone, F Doogan, D Duffy; E Lennon, V Corey (0-1); R Ronaghan (0-1), M Slowey, D Mone; T Duffy (0-2), T Freeman (0-2), D Freeman (0-2). Subs: N Flanagan for McGeough (30 mins); D Larkin (0-1) for T Duffy (36); P Finnegan for Slowey (63); M Duffy for D Mone (67).

Referee: S O'Hanlon (Down).