Armagh 4-16 Wexford 2-9:FOR A team that has a reputation for being slow-starters in the league, particularly away from home, this was a fairly sensational result – and in more ways than just the scoreline.
Armagh looked to be drifting out of the game as it approached half-time, despite going seven points clear early on, before delivering a stunning second 35 minutes that completely overwhelmed Wexford. It also, of course, reversed the shock All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Wexford last summer. Armagh forgive but they don’t forget.
But this is the game that will be remembered for the arrival of one Ryan Henderson. Four class goals and three points, all from play, is exceptional scoring by any standards but for the 24 year-old Henderson it was quite extraordinary given it was his first major start for Armagh. In fact, he wasn’t even down to start in the first place.
When Henderson’s name was called out as a late swap for left corner forward Michael O’Rourke the reaction in the press box was “Ryan who?”
He was part of Armagh’s All-Ireland under-21-winning team back in 2005, and has made a couple of appearances in the Dr McKenna Cup in the years since, but it was only in the recent Armagh trials that manager Peter McDonnell rediscovered his potential.
Henderson scored two goals in each half and he would have had a fifth had Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson not made a fine save close to the end.
“It was a tremendous day for Ryan Henderson,” said McDonnell afterwards. “He looks sharp, won his own ball, and created many opportunities himself. A good debut, but Ryan realises he’s got a lot of hard work to do to retain a place, because championship teams are different.
“He was playing very good football with his club, Clann Éireann. He came in on trials like everyone else. Caught my eye. And here he is now.”
Henderson wasn’t the only one to shine. Crossmaglen duo Aaron and Stephen Kernan made the trip to lend a hand and the former under-21 midfield partnership of Charlie Vernon and James Lavery dominated. Kevin O’Rourke showed his talents at corner forward, as did defenders Barry Shannon and Vincent Martin.
In the end Wexford manager Jason Ryan couldn’t have too many complaints, except for an obvious one. Three minutes into the second half, just as Armagh were mounting their ferocious comeback, PJ Banville had a thundering shot at goal, which bounced down from the crossbar on to the goal line – but was judged not to have passed it. Afterwards a local photographer presented evidence that suggested otherwise; not that it was any use then.
A goal at that juncture would certainly have given Wexford momentum for the second half, instead they went 18 minutes before their next score – the point from Ciarán Lyng proving to be their only score of the second half.
In fairness, Wexford tried everything to get back at Armagh, including bringing on Matty Forde, who didn’t start as selected. It was all in vain. The traffic was one-way for most of the second half; the wind in Armagh’s back only partly explaining it.
All six starting forwards contributed to their total, including four points from Peadar Toal and Stephen Kernan.
This was all in stark contrast to Armagh’s faltering mood coming towards half-time. They’d started brilliantly, Henderson’s second goal on 15 minutes sending them seven points clear – 2-3 to 0-2. Wexford did some running repairs and soon refloated their boat, out-scoring Armagh 2-6 to no score in the closing 20 minutes of the half.
David Fogarty claimed their first goal on 27 minutes after an excellent built-up from Shane Cullen and Paddy Colfer, and then Colfer punished a goalkeeping blunder by Paudie Rodgers to add a second a few minutes later.
Immediately after that Armagh’s Ronan Clarke was yellow-carded for an off-the-ball foul on Eric Bradley, and when Wexford tagged on three more points before the break their 2-8 to 2-3 advantage looked fairly secure.
Typical of Armagh, however, there was no panic. McDonnell left Wexford Park with a parting word of support for the new rules.
“I have no problems with the new rules, nor do the players. . . The intentions are good, and if it promotes good, open football we’re all for it.”
ARMAGH: P Rodgers; F Moriarty, V Martin, B Shannon; C McKeever, A Kernan (0-2), JP Donnelly; J Lavery, C Vernon; Martin O’Rourke (0-1), B Mallon (0-1), P Toal (0-3, two frees); K O’Rourke (0-1), R Clarke, R Henderson (4-3). Subs: C Rafferty for Donnelly (17 mins), S Kernan (0-4, one free) for R Clarke, 32 mins, yellow), P McKeever for M O’Rourke (60 mins), Michael O’Rourke (0-1) for Toal (68 mins).
WEXFORD: A Masterson; A Doyle, E Bradley, G Murphy; G Molloy, C Morris, B Malone; D Fogarty (1-0), B Doyle; C Deely, P Colfer (1-1), C Byrne; C Lyng (0-4, two frees), PJ Banville, S Cullen (0-3, one free). Subs: D Kehoe for Fogarty, C Murphy for G Murphy, M Forde for Banville (all 50 mins), D Kinsella (0-1) for Deely (55 mins, also blood sub for Colfer, 20 mins), P Byrne for Lyng (64 mins).
Referee: M Condon (Waterford).
