Armagh struck late for a nervy and unconvincing one point win over Down to qualify for their second successive Ulster SFC final.
Substitute Jason Duffy hit the stoppage time winner to seal it for an Orchard side that failed to convince in front of a crowd of 12,116 at Clones.
They were clinging on to a slender advantage as the game slipped into injury-time, but points from subs Aidan Nugent and Duffy swung it for the Orchard.
Armagh had defeated Down by ten points at the same stage last year, and while this one was much closer, the outcome was the same for Conor Lavery's Down side, and the Tailteann Cup awaits, their big chance of a run in the Sam Maguire having slipped away.
Armagh were happy to sit deep and invite their opponents on to them, looking to break at pace, and Down’s lack of penetration and invention assisted their plan.
After Ryan Magill had shot an early point, the Mourne men went half an hour without raising a flag, despite dominating possession for long spells and pressing hard into the Armagh half.
But they were never able to produce the incisive run or find the killer pass that would unlock the Orchard cover.
Kieran McGeeney’s men struggled to produce fluency themselves, labouring to go in front after 20 minutes through Rian O’Neill, who had also kicked their opener from a free.
Down did have their chances, but free-kicker Pat Havern was having an off-day, and Shealan Johnston skewed a scoreable mark as they allowed their neighbours off the hook time and again.
Stefan Forker shot a fine point before Havern finally found the range from a free on 32 minutes.
And Down’s first sign of flair and pace produce a goal in the 35th minute. Jonny Flynn, Odhran Murdock, Shealan Johnston and Pierce Laverty were all involved as they swept forward to send Ceilum Doherty in for a crack at goal.
Blaine Hughes parried the shot, but it cannoned in off defender Paddy Burns for an own-goal.
Armagh recovered for Grugan and Forker to bring them level with stoppage time scores, 0-5 to 1-2 at the break.
Grugan’s accuracy from placed balls was a steadying factor for an Armagh side that was struggling to find ways to hurt their opponents.
And another setback saw Down go back in front in the 46th minute with a second goal.
Doherty and Liam Kerr made the running, and it was Barry O’Hagan whose shot was blocked, but Ryan Magill was there to finish from close range to the net.
Going into the final quarter, Down led by two, and they were still clinging on by a single point ten minutes from the end.
But they didn’t appear to believe that they could win this one, and managed a single point in the last 23 minutes.
Armagh’s last three scores came from substitutes wit Oisin O’Neill edging them closer with a mark, before Nugent levelled in the 72nd minute.
Composure and patience helped them see it out, with Duffy hoisting the winner in the 78th minute.
Down did have one last chance when awarded a free out on the right, but the ball was passed on by a handful of prospective kickers before a reluctant Oisin Savage took on the responsibility, slicing his kick wide.
Armagh: B Hughes; P Burns (1-00, og.), A McKay, P McGrane; J McElroy, C Mackin, A Forker (0-02); R O'Neill (0-03, 1f), B Crealey; S Campbell, R Grugan (0-05, 5f), O Conaty; C Turbitt, A Murnin, J Og Burns.
Subs: J Duffy (0-01) for Crealey (47), O O’Neill (0-01) for Burns (52), D McMullan for Campbell (58), A Nugent (0-01) for Conaty (63)
Down: J O’Hare; F McElroy, R McEvoy, P Fegan; M Rooney, R Magill (1-01), S Johnston; P Laverty, O Murdock; D Guinness (0-01), J Flynn, R Johnston (0-01); J Guinness, P Havern (0-02, 2f), C Doherty.
Subs: L Kerr for J Guinness (h-t), D Magill (0-01) for Flynn (40), B O’Hagan for Rooney (50), O Savage for Havern (58), S Annett for O’Hagan (64)
Referee: L Devenney (Mayo)
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
