Armagh SFC Qualifiers: Ballymacnab 2-16 Sarsfield's 1-17 (aet); Killeavy 2-9 Wolfe Tone's 1-11
BALLYMACNAB overcame Sarsfield's after extra-time to set up a quarter-final clash with the winners of the clash between Pearse Óg and Dromintee.
Defender Chris Loughran had grabbed a late point to send this entertaining game at Pearse Og Park into extra-time.
It was 1-12 to 0-15 at the end of normal time, impressive midfielder Pauric Gribben scoring the ’Nab goal. The High Moss outfit failed to score in the first period of extra-time, whilst a Kieran Hughes goal and points from Brian M Cone, Jack Grugan and Gavin McParland gave the victors the upper hand.
Points from Thomas McAlinden and Christopher McGaughey brought Sarsfield’s within four points but Gavin Mc Parland drilled over a 45 to keep the ’Nab in control.
The Sarsfield’s goal, a Paul McGeown penalty arrived in the final minute.
Sarsfield’s led 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval, Thomas McAlinden and Michael Stevenson getting the bulk of the scores. Stevenson stretched their lead on the resumption but the Gribben goal on 39 minutes had the sides level.
McAlinden added three more Sarsfields scores which were matched by Mc Parland (2) and Jack Grugan. The classy McAlinden, who finished on 0-7, edged Sarsfield’s ahead with his 61st minute effort before Loughran popped up with a last gasp equaliser.
A CLOSELY contested senior round two Qualifier at Abbey Park on Saturday evening went right to the wire with Killeavy’s top scorer Raymond Taggart pointing a free deep in stoppage time to set up a quarter-final clash with Armagh Harps.
Full-foward Taggart also found the net in each half at a time when the opposition had established a few points lead.
Tone’s opened the scoring when James Doyle slotted home a 10th minute penalty and a minute later Declan Lavery raised the first of his three white flags.
It took Killeavy, who had registered four early wides, 17 minutes to score but their fortunes changed when Tone’s keeper Conor McCorry failed to hold a harmless shot from Taggart. It was 1-3 apiece approaching the short whistle but Tone’s finished strongly with three unanswered points in as many minutes, John Toal (2) and Doyle the providers.
Killeavy had the better of the second period with Michael Murphy and Barry Mc Kevitt winning midfield but it took Taggart’s second green flag on 41 mins to put them ahead for the first time.
And his pointed free one minute from normal time kept their slender advantage intact but the Derrymacash men kept their championship hopes alive with a late Declan Lavery equaliser.
In the six minutes of stoppage time, points were exchanged by Caolan McConville and Lavery before Taggart with the last kick of the ball sent Killeavy through.
