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Armagh senior men's footballers may be out of the Championship after yesterday's defeat to Galway but very few will begrudge them credit for their incredible journey to that point.
A beating from Donegal back in round one of the Ulster Championship certainly made the team determined to prove a point and prove that point they did. The first game in the qualifier rounds saw a six point win put paid to the current All Ireland Champions Tyrone. Then it was a roasting for Donegal with 3 goals and a point separating the sides at Clones earlier this month.
These were massive games, although absolutely nothing could prepare the thousands upon thousands of loyal Armagh fans who journeyed from as far away as Boston, for yesterday's heart stopping thriller at Croke Park. Ultimately to lose that game by just two kicks of the ball was certainly nothing to be ashamed of. In front of an incredible 71,353 crowd, all that watched this gobsmacker of a game got full value for their money.
After the first 35 minutes of sea-saw scoring it was 7 points all going in at half time. A goal and a quick point from Galway just into the second half saw them ahead by four and Armagh just couldn't get back in the running. The full 70 minutes elapsed and with Galway 6 points ahead it looked like Armagh were heading for the M1, but then something happened. A full 8 minutes of extra time was declared and Armagh fired into life. A goal from Armagh's Aidan Nugent followed by another from Conor Turbitt and a pressure free converted by Rian O'Neill put the sides level Armagh 2:14 to Galway 1:17 when the full time whistle went.
Extra time it was and the first half of 10 minutes saw two Armagh points but three from Galway leaving them a one point lead. The second half saw a quick goal from Armagh's Rory Grugan putting them 2 points ahead but it was cancelled two minutes later by a Galway goal. Two Armagh points saw them going in with a one point lead in the last minute of extra time but then it was Galway's turn to equalise at 2:21 to Armagh's 3:18, and for the first time in mens Senior Football Championship history the game was to be decided on penalties!
With Galway converting the first four of their five shots, two Armagh wides from Stefan Campbell and Conor Turbit and Galway were through to a Semi Final clash against Derry.
Armagh Ladies march on
The spotlight remains on Armagh ladies footballers who defeated Monaghan 2:12 to 0:4 at the weekend to claim a quarter final place in the All Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship against Kerry.
