O'Rourke snatches lucky victory

A golden goal five minutes into injury-time gave Armagh a lucky win over Antrim at Casement Park yesterday with Marty O'Rourke the hero.

This was a game that Antrim looked certain to win until the 75th minute when O'Rourke, after a seven-man sweeping move, fired a pile-driver from 10 metres into the top corner to give his side the lead for the first time.

Antrim controlled the first half after which they led by 1-7 to 0-4, the goal coming in the 19th minute. Kevin Brady tore in from the left and his shot was well blocked by Paul Hearty. However, Eoin Quinn was quick to react and fisted the ball to the net. That left Antrim 1-4 to 0-3 ahead and they added three more points to Armagh's one before the break.

Unanswered points by Gearoid Adams and Kevin Madden in the opening 12 minutes of the second half suggested that the home side were well on their way to taking their first league points of the season but changes in the Armagh team turned the game on its head.

Only Andy McCann, Steven McDonnell and Oisin McConville from the championship side started the game but in the 43rd minute Cathal O'Rourke and Tony McEntee were sent to rescue matters. It worked splendidly with O'Rourke in particular playing a big part in the revival.

Antrim: D Shannon; M Mulholland, T Convery, G Bell; K Murray, A Morris (0-1), G Adams (0-1); J Quinn, J Barr; C McCabe, P McCann (0-1), O Doherty; K Brady (0-2), K Madden (0-4), E Quinn (1-0). Subs: E McLarnon for Bell (33 mins); P Logan for E Quinn (45 mins); P Murphy for Barr (56 mins); K McGourty for Doherty (65 mins).

Armagh: P Hearty; J Toal, A O'Rourke, J Byrne; S O'Hare, A McCann, P McCormack; A O'Neill, G O'Reilly; M O'Rourke (1-0), K Hatzer (0-2), C Shortt; S McDonnell (0-3), B Duffy, O McConville (1-2). Subs: M O'Hagan for Byrne (23 mins); C O'Rourke for Duffy (43 mins); T McEntee (0-1) for O'Reilly (43 mins); P Dynes for O'Neill (56 mins); D Edwards for Hatzer (56 mins).

Referee: J Smith (Meath).