Red Hand semi reward for   stretched Armagh

Antrim 1-23 Armagh 1-34

ARMAGH v Tyrone in Clones is the reward after wins over Antrim and Cavan respectively, with both teams having key players to return and neither side aware who got the better test at the weekend.

The build-up will be fever pitch because this is a Tyrone team more confident than they were when they won the All-Ireland in 2021, with players rediscovering the form that clinched that Sam Maguire with Covid in the backdrop.

Armagh are stretched but they too are playing with confidence, with last year’s All-Ireland winner’s medal’s in the drawer, their focus is on getting past Tyrone and it will take another big performance.

Be in no doubt though, Armagh were properly tested by Antrim on Saturday in a Corrigan Park that was buzzing.

Patrick McBride’s first half two pointers are highlights of the Ulster Championship this season, but you got the feeling that Armagh were perhaps being more experimental in the first half, trying to force goals, confident that they possessed the quality to boss the second half, which they did.

While the pitch was looking as smooth as snooker table at Corrigan Park the game the first half was little ragged with a lot of loose play and plenty of heavy hits.

The Orchard side spent much of the first half trying to get goals when points were on offer and it wasn’t slick as it has been during the National League campaign. That said Stefan Campbell’s shot on goal was brilliantly saved by Michael Byrne, while the Antrim keeper had to be alert to tip Greg McCabe’s humdinger of a shot over the bar.

Killeavy’s Gareth Murphy, Belleek’s Callum O’Neill and Annaghmore’s Tomas McCormack made their Championship debuts while Crossmaglen’s James Morgan made his first return to county colours since in the All-Ireland Qualifiers against Westmeath in 2023, but he remained on the bench.

Armagh eased into a three point lead with Rory Grugan (free), Andrew Murnin and Callum O’Neill firing over but Antrim were back in the game when Patrick McBride bagged his first of three first half two-pointers.

That was a theme of the opening half, Armagh would try to engineer a goal, get fouled, with Grugan converting, while Antrim went up the other end and scored two-pointers.

Ryan McQuillan levelled the score before a two-pointer from Dominic McEnhill put the Saffrons ahead, but only briefly as Ethan Rafferty converted from outside the 40-metre and then Ross McQuillan and Grugan put Armagh three points to the good.

There was no pulling away from Antrim but there was heroics from Blaine Hughes who came on to save Kavan Keenan’s penalty kick after Ethan Rafferty’s black card, with Tiernan Kelly the victim to be substituted.

Rafferty returned to play outfield and he might have netted, Callum O’Neill, who impressive had a close-range shot saved the Orchard side squandered a number of goal chances, which Antrim mopped up and it was no surprise that they led 0-14 to 0-13, at the break including five two-pointers, with McBride and McEnhill on target while McCabe, Grugan and McMullan score for Armagh.

Oisin O’Neill’s introduction for the second half was massive, the Crossmaglen clubman was in the groove, he was making passes few would try and his six two-pointer frees helped Armagh’s tally but Tomas McCormack’s goal on 44 minutes killed the game off as a contest, it was a fine finish, to a stunning sweeping move. Armagh led 1-18 to 0-16 and they continued to pepper the bar, with the incredible Rory Grugan floating over shots for fun and debutant O’Neill kicking four points from play.

All the subs made an impact too, Aidan Forker scored when on as a blood sub, while the hard working Jemar Hall bagged a great point and Crossmaglen’s Cian O’Neill looked comfortable firing over two points. Ross McQuillan, goal scorer McCormick, Ethan Rafferty, who played in goal in the second half, all pointed.

Antrim did bag a late goal despite Connaire Mackin’s best effort to scoop it out but that was mere consolation. Armagh had enough toying about in the opening half and to rack up 33 points is phenomenal, almost ridiculous but what was important was that the young players that came in really stood up.

Tomas McCormick has been proper find and like Peter McGrane grabbing his opportunity last season, McCormick plays with courage and conviction, he is agile and lightening quick and as he showed on Saturday he has an eye for a score.

Killeavy’s Gareth Murphy is a quality player, he helped out in defence against some of the big players Antrim had in defence and was on duty against Ruairi McCann for a period. Comfortable in the air, he is great reader of the game and there’s much more to come from him.

Belleek’s Callum O’Neill was on the cusp of making his senior breakthrough last year, before injury ruled his season out, but having made his National League debut against Derry, he backed that performance up with a Rolls Royce performance against Antrim and while he won’t get the same time to make decisions against Tyrone, O’Neill is a cool customer who won’t be fazed.

Dara McMullen has been on the scene and in and out of the team but Saturday was his first Ulster Championship start and no matter what position McMullan takes up he plays on the front foot and against Antrim he did likewise and he can test against the best.

ARMAGH’S TREATMENT TABLE

ARMAGH had only four players that started their All-Ireland Final last July starting against Antrim on Saturday and there is race against time to have players fit for the Ulster semi-final against rivals Tyrone.

Ciaran Mackin’s knee injury is serious according to manager Kieran McGeeney, so Tyrone could come too soon for the Orchard footballers, which is a huge blow to the team and the Shane O’Neill’s player who missed much of last season.

Aaron McKay was vital to Armagh’s All-Ireland winning season, his presence in defence has been missed but it doesn’t seem he will be back any time soon.

Niall Grimley had been incredible form at the start of the season and he may not be too far away, likewise his midfield partner Ben Crealey is reported to be on the mend and facing a race against time to be fit.

Conor Turbitt and Oisin Conaty are players who may have been rested after carrying knocks, so it would be a surprise not to see them back in contention against Tyrone.

Paddy Burns took an allergic reaction, so hopefully he recovers soon and is back in the mix.

Joe McElroy doesn’t appear to be too far away and he is expected to play some part this year, although Tyrone may be too soon.

Good news though is that Crossmaglen’s James Morgan is back in the fold, whether he was drafted in as emergency cover or not, he is talented defender and a fit again James Morgan would be a welcome boost to the county.

ANTRIM: Michael Byrne (0-03, 0-01 45); Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; James McAuley, Dermot McAleese Marc Jordan (0-01); Conor Hand, Conor Stewart; Patrick McBride (0-09, 3tp, 0-01f), Patrick Finnegan, Ronan Boyle (0-01); Ryan McQuillan (1-05, 1tp), Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill (0-04, 1tp, 1tpf).

Subs: Eunan Quinn (0-01) for Stewart (ht), Niall Burns for Jordan (46), Ryan Murray for McEnhill (46), John Morgan for McAuley (48), Fionn Nagle for Finnegan (54).

ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty (0-03, 1tpf); Gareth Murphy, Barry McCambridge (0-01), Tomás McCormack (1-01); Ross McQuillan (0-03), Greg McCabe (0-02), Jarlath Og Burns; Callum O'Neill (0-04), Connaire Mackin; Darragh McMullan (0-01), Rory Grugan (0-08, 1tpf, 0-04fs), Peter McGrane; Tiernan Kelly, Andrew Murnin (0-01), Stefan Campbell.

Subs: Blaine Hughes for Kelly (20), Oisin O'Neill (0-06, 3tpf) for Hughes (ht), Jemar Hall (0-01) for Campbell (49), Cian McConville (0-02) for McMullan (52), Aidan Forker (0-01) for Murnin (53).

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).