Blaine Hughes: Saved bravely from Ceilum Doherty late in the first half and Havern in the second but Down followed up on both for their goals. Can’t recall a stray kickout. 7
Paddy Burns: Exchanged early pleasantries with Down boss Laverty. Unlucky to bundle ball into his own net as he tried to clear. Kept James Guinness scoreless. 6
Aaron McKay: Didn’t give Havern a chance from play but lost him when Down scored their second goal. Gave Ceilum Doherty too much space for the first major, but Doherty was Down’s corner-back. 6
Peter McGrane: Given a zonal defensive role, he patrolled his sector and pushed forward at every opportunity. Made a vital interception to deny Savage and that led to Nugent’s late equaliser. 6.5
- Did the better team lose? No. Armagh had more quality in finishing and on bench but Down will be backOpens in new window
- Down player ratings: Mournemen produce strong team performance despite defeatOpens in new window
- Kieran McGeeney: “I’ll take a win in the Ulster Championship any day of the week.”Opens in new window
Joe McElroy: Broke for a kickout and powered up left wing in first half. Picked up Liam Kerr in second and had his hands full with the Burren speedster. 5.5
Ciaran Mackin: Great grab from a Down kickout and cleared from under crossbar when Shealan Johnson free dropped short. Shot wide but had the vision to start move that led to Duffy’s winner. 6
Aidan Forker: Two fine points in the first half for the Armagh skipper. Over-run when Down broke through from midfield for both of their goals. 6
Rian O’Neill: See Star Man
Ben Crealey: With few kickouts to compete for he looked like a duck out of water at times. Superb catch from the one kickout that came his direction. Poor pass gave Down the chance to break for Havern free. 5
Stefan Campbell: Down were (just) able to bottle him up. One shot didn’t make the distance, then ran down a cul de sac and was turned over. 5.5
Rory Grugan: Pierce Laverty kept tabs on him. Never gives ball away but wasn’t that involved in open play. Five out of five from frees. 6.5
Oisin Conaty: Trying hard to make an impact but he kicked wides in both halves. 5.5
Conor Turbitt: Didn’t quite come off for him. Had the legs on Ryan McEvoy and caused alarm bells in Down defence. One wide and unlucky not to get free when clearly taken down. 5.5
Andrew Murnin: Almost through early on but denied by McElroy tackle. Stationed at full-back marking Murdock for most of second half and did his job. Laid ball off to Duffy for the winner. 6
Jarly Og Burns: Not his day. Worked hard but the ball wouldn’t stick and he struggled to make an impact. Called ashore after 52 minutes. 5
Substitutes:
Jason Duffy: His pace and workrate had the desired effect. Won a free for Grugan and then conjured a brilliant winner. 6.5
Oisin O’Neill: Replaced Jarly Og Burns and slotted over vital mark near the end. 6
Darragh McMullen: Almost created a score with a pacey break. 5
Aidan Nugent: Quality point when Armagh needed it levelled the game going into injury-time. 6
Star Man
Rian O’Neill (Armagh)
HE was everywhere. Cut inside his marker, then dummied another defender and curled a shot over the bar to bring the game to life. Brave block to deny James Guinness a point later in first half. Plucked throw-in out of the air at start of second half and charged at Down posts – winning a free for Grugan. Almost kept out second goal and added two more points as Armagh won the derby. 8
