Armagh Minors Win Ulster League
There were a lot of important sporting events held over the weekend of 10th / 11th April with Tony McCoy finally winning the Grand National; Antrim, Armagh and Down secured promotion in their respective National Football Leagues; and Paul Brady retained the All-Ireland Handball title. However, one result that has gone under the radar will be of far more significance to the small hurling community in Armagh and that is the County Minors fantastic success over Down in the Division 1 Final of the Ulster League.
Armagh had some promising results in the group stages of the League where they defeated Down in Middletown in their opening game before travelling to Loughgiel to beat Antrim (who were without their Cross and Passion, Ballycastle players) on a 2-15 to 1-15 score-line. Armagh travelled to Derry for their last game of the group stages and lost out by five points to the hosts, but they already had secured their place in the League Final. Down comprehensively beat Antrim in their final game and finished top of the table due to their superior scoring difference, thus ensuring home advantage for the League Final.
So on Saturday 10th April, Armagh travelled as underdogs to the Ards Peninsula to take on a full strength Down squad in Portaferry. Down were first of the mark with a point from play in the opening minute before the visitors replied with five points in a row. Shea Gaffney raised the first white flag before Eoghan Robb, Conor Corvan (free), Paddy Heaney (long range free) and a neat point from play by Stephen King put Armagh up 0-5 to 0-1 after the first quarter. Down pulled one back before Gaffney pointed from play and Heaney converted another long range free. However, the hosts hit a further 1-1 to close the gap to a minimum. Armagh picked up the pace again and scored three unanswered points before the break through Corvan, Gaffney and another Heaney free to leave Armagh in front 0-10 to 1-6 at half-time.
Similar to the first half, Down were quickest from the blocks and hit the opening point from play. The two sides traded points with Heaney converting another long range free and full-forward Corvan pointing twice from play. Again, Down began to test the Armagh resolve, but it was the Orchard men who got the next couple of scores – a free from Corvan and a massive score from Conor McKee into a stiff breeze from halfway. This left seven points between the teams and a second green flag on 55minutes, followed by another point from Down left only a goal in it with a few minutes to play. Armagh steadied the ship and a point in injury time from Eoghan Robb settled the game as the boys from the Orchard ran out winners on a 0-16 to 2-06 score-line.
This result is a massive boost for hurling in Armagh and will give this squad a great lift as they prepare for their Ulster Championship clash with Tyrone in May. James King gave an outstanding display at midfield while Conor Corvan caused Down all sorts of problems in the first half. Paddy Heaney and Conor McKee provided great leadership in the second half, while Fintan Corvan was the pick of the Armagh players with a fantastic performance at full-back throughout. Congratulations to the minor management of Eamonn McKee, Chris Heaney, Liam Corvan, Kevin McGreevy and Philip McArdle.
The Armagh team: 1. Simon Doherty (Sean Treacy’s) 2. Cormac Rushe (Na Fianna) 3. Fintan Corvan (Doire Núis) 4. Joe McAnerney (Sean Treacy’s) 5. Neil Duffy (Cúchulainns) 6. Austin Mackle (Na Fianna) 7. Tom Marley (Cúchulainns) 8. James King (Céide Lámh Dhearg) 9. Paddy Heaney (Cúchulainns) 10. Marc Toal (Céide Lámh Dhearg) 11. Shea Gaffney (Na Fianna) 12. Conor McKee (Céide Lámh Dhearg) 13. Eoghan Robb (Craobh Rua) 14. Conor Corvan (Céide Lámh Dhearg) 15. Stephen King (Céide Lámh Dhearg)
Subs Used: Ethan Carville (Na Fianna) for Toal (30mins); Conor McNally (Doire Núis) for S.King (40mins); Matthew Lennon (Doire Núis) for McAnerney (55 mins).
