Armagh left it late at Davitt Park, Lurgan, yesterday, as Steven McDonnell and Paddy McKeever eventually helped Joe Kernan's side to a flattering six-point victory in Section C. And had it not been for goalkeeper Ciarán McKinney, Armagh might well have been left with egg on their faces against a pacey, committed and resilient St Mary's side.
The teams were level on 0-7 each at half-time after St Mary's landed three points in the first 10 minutes.
Armagh were forced to absorb sustained bouts of pressure before McDonnell and McKeever found the target on a more regular basis in the second half. In the 57th minute, Aidan McCarron plundered a goal to give St Mary's a 1-9 to 0-11 lead but Armagh produced a late burst that culminated in a McDonnell goal with virtually the last kick of the game.
ARMAGH: C McKinney; J P Donnelly, J McNulty, K McElvanna; K Hughes, T McEntee, K McKeever; A McCann, M Mackin; G Loughran, P McKeever (0-5), S Kiernan (0-3); S McDonnell (1-4), R Austin (0-2), K Ferron. Subs: A Mallon for McNulty (47 mins); R Henderson (0-1) for Loughran (52 mins); A O'Rourke for Donnelly (64 mins).
ST MARY'S, BELFAST: K Murray; S Lennon, F Donnelly, C McAleer (0-2); D Harte, P Quinn, K Beagan; J Haran, D Gordon; L Meenan (0-2), L O'Hare (0-1), C McElroy; T O'Neill (0-1), A McCarron (1-2), M Donnelly (0-1). Subs: P Hynes for McAleer (23 mins); D McCann for Donnelly (64 mins); R McMahon for McElroy (67 mins);
Referee: C Reynolds (Down).
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