Armagh force replay with late strike

Round-up:  Oisin McConville struck a late score to spare Armagh's blushes and force a draw against Fermanagh in today's Ulster…

Round-up: Oisin McConville struck a late score to spare Armagh's blushes and force a draw against Fermanagh in today's Ulster semi-final at Clones.

Armagh had held a two point lead at half-time but Fermanagh upped tempo in the second period, forcing the favourites onto the back foot.

Armagh started well, hitting two quick scores within minutes.  But credit Fermanagh who remained focused and retaliated in the 10th minute when Tom Brewster found the net.

Still, though, Fermanagh could never quite wriggle free of Armagh and Ronan Clarke and Paddy McKeever kept the Orchard County's tally ticking over.

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McConville and Steven McDonnell then applied two telling scores to edge Armagh 0-7 to 1-2 ahead the interval.

Fermanagh, though, emerged rejuvenated and determined and Ciaran O'Reilly and Brewster quickly pointed.

Substitute Ryan Keenan then put Fermanagh in front with a fine goal, having been set free 25 yards out from Paul Hearty's goal after an Enda McNulty mistake.

But Armagh hung in doggedly and McConville, Clarke and McDonnell all pointed to leave just one between the sides.

McConville then secured the reply - in Clones this day fortnight - with his late, late contribution.

Kerry, meanwhile, booked their ticket for the Munster final by dispatching Tipperary in Killarney.

Kerry started somewhat sluggishly, leading by just two points at the break, but upped their performance in the second half to pull away convincingly.

Declan Browne scored all five of Tipperary's points but Kerry were never in danger and reeled off seven unanswered scores in the second spell to put the result well and truly beyond doubt.

They'll face Cork who, in a low scoring, lifeless contest, still had the measure of Limerick despite trailing their opponents by two points at the break.

Cork, though, kicked six unanswered points in the second half, with James Masters finishing with eight of his sides' total.

In hurling, Wexford will face Kilkenny in the Leinster final after edging Offaly by a single score in a poor game at Nowlan Park.   Stephen Doyle scored the winner in injury-time.

Finally, the draw for the hurling qualifiers was made this evening.  Group 1 sees Westmeath, Laois, Waterford and Galway pitted togther while in Group 2, Clare, Dublin, Offaly and Limerick do battle.

Results

Ulster SFC semi-final
Armagh 0-11 Fermanagh 2-5

Munster SFC semi-finals
Kerry 0-17 Tipperary 1-5
Cork 0-9 Limerick 0-5

Leinster SHC semi-final
Wexford 0-9 Offaly 0-8