Gaelic Games

Rory Grugan sees Armagh edge past 14-man Longford

Late point clinches Division Three thriller after Andrew Farrell’s crucial dismissal

Rory Grugan’s late point gave Armagh victory over Longford. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

Sun Feb 11 2018 - 17:46

Armagh 1-11 Longford 1-10

Armagh just managed to stave off the challenge of a defiant 14-man Longford in a pulsating Division Three encounter at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday.

The hosts only took the lead for the first time in the 75th minute when skipper Rory Grugan steered over a point after Ethan Rafferty had put the side back on terms with goal out of the blue.

Longford led by 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time and even though they played for the greater part with 14 players following the dismissal of Andrew Farrell, they stayed in touch until the crucial closing moments.

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Kieran McGeeney’s side are very much in the frame for promotion after three successive victories while Longford, who showed considerable character and courage, are still capable of mounting a challenge for a Division Two spot.

Armagh: B Hughes; P Burns, A McKay, B Donaghy; N Rowland, G McCabe (0-1), M Shields; S Sheridan (0-1), C Vernon; R McShane, A Forker, N Grimley (0-1); R Grugan (0-3, 2f), B Crealey (0-1), E Rafferty (1-4). Subs: A Duffy for McShane (45), M Stevenson for Crealey (61), J McElroy for Donaghy (62), R Kennedy for Duffy (BC 70), A Findon for Sheridan (71), P Burns BC (76 - no replacement).

Yellow cards: McCabe (13), Grugan (26), Rafferty (37), Grimley (75). Black card: Duffy (70).

Longford: P Collum; P Fox, P McCormack, D McElligott (1-0); M Quinn (0-1), B Gilleran, D Mimnagh (0-1); D Gallagher, A Farrell; B McKeon, D McGivney (0-2, 2f), D Reynolds (0-2); R Smyth (0-3), C Berry, R Brady. Subs: P Foy for McCormack (13), J McGivney (0-1) for D McGivney (BC 20), R McEntire for Brady (47), D Quinn for Reynolds (71), D Masterson for Quinn (73).

Yellow cards: A Farrell (18), J McCormack (35), Gilleran (59). Black card : David McGivney (22). Red card: Farrell (38).

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)

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