Late penalty sees Armagh-Notre Dame through

Armagh-Notre Dame 1-3 Christopher’s 0-5


Armagh-Notre Dame pulled off somewhat of a dramatic victory over Christopher’s to earn a quarter final game against their local Brighton rivals, Galway. The game was empty of scores in the first half as both sides floundered in front of goal, but the second was much more enjoyable. Christopher’s looked like pulling away only to be reined in and eventually overtaken by a determined Armagh-Notre Dame side.

Dan Kenneally makes a clean catch this time.

Mid-way through the first half the game remained scoreless, and it was only with the period winding down that either side chalked up a score. For the men in the orange jerseys it was Dominic Magill, and then for Christopher’s it was Owen Keohane who made it a point each at the break. Christopher’s opened the second half looking like they were about to steamroll their opponents. Some great play resulted in four points for Christopher’s. The quick ball into the corner forwards paid heavy dividends. Armagh-Notre Dame dug in however. Conor McGarry popped over a point, making it a one-score game. Midfielders Adrian Gunn and Kieran Sheerin made things difficult for their opposite numbers, and Pat Delaney ended up getting a second yellow card for rough play handing the Orchard men a numbers advantage with plenty of time left to play.

Dominic Magill on the run for Armagh-Notre Dame.

Armagh-ND kept up the tempo and dug deep in a big effort to get the season off to a good start, and their efforts eventually paid dividends. At the end of a fine move the ball ended up in the hands of McGarry, and a penalty resulted. McGarry was pulled down and Frank Meehan slotted the kick into the bottom corner. All square now and with Christopher’s frustration growing and the bit between the teeth for the Brighton team, veteran Darren Maguire popped over a free in the dying moments of the game to send his side through to the next round.

Armagh-ND: O. Murphy, S. Redmond, S. McKenna, F. Meehan, N. Lowry, M. Graham, A. Gunn, K. Sheerin, G. Hall, D. Magill, M. Tiffany, C. McGarry, D. Maguire. Christopher’s: J. Duane, N. Ryan, L. Luke, M. Delaney, C. Murphy, P. Manning, D. Kenneally, J. Kenneally, P. Mannion, P. Delaney, L. Hickey, D. Keohane, R. Kenneally.


By Rory O'Donnell