Orchard Men claim Rackard Cup

Nicky Rackard Cup Final:
Armagh 3-15 London 3-14

London suffered Nicky Rackard Cup final heartache for the second year in a row as a Paul Breen free three minutes into injury time gave Armagh victory after a thrilling game at Headquarters.

Late scores from Martin Finn looked to have secured extra-time for the Exiles, but Breen, who hit 2-4 on the day, settled the game to give the Orchard County a famous victory.

In a thrill-a-minute game, the sides were level at 2-7 apiece at the break, with Breen bagging the first of his two goals in the 12th minute, ramming the ball home after Paul McCormack’s penalty had been saved. Ryan Gaffney added the Ulster side’s second three-pointer minutes later.

However, London responded with two goals of their own inside a four-minute spell. David Maher struck in the 27th minute and Cork native Finn added a second before Maher hit an equalising point.

London made a blistering start to the second half when Maher raised a green flag for the second time just 13 seconds after the break.

Breen then struck for another goal for the Orchard County before they built up a four-point lead going into the closing stages.

Finn levelled the game deep into injury time before Breen struck a late, late winner.

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Lory Meagher Cup Final:
Donegal 1-12 Longford 1-19

Garett Ghee scored a personal haul of 1-9 as Longford won the Lory Meagher Cup at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.

Ghee struck six first-half points as Longford led by 0-12 to 0-7 at the break after Donegal had Colm Breathnach, their captain and full-back, sent off for a second yellow card after six minutes.

However, Donegal came back into the game at the start of the second half when Paddy Hannigan hit the back of the net and free-taker Lee Henderson quickly added a point.

There was just a point between the sides when Ghee sent Longford back into the lead with a fierce, drive shot to the back of the net in the 46th minute.

Again, Donegal hit back and points from Niall Campbell and Henderson reduced the gap in the closing quarter.

However, Longford kept the Ulster men at arm’s length and scores from Joe O’Brien and Fergal Daly saw them pull away in the end and consign Donegal to defeat Croke park heartbreak for the second successive year.