Mourne County fall to Orchard Bloom - 17/04/2003
Minor Football League: Armagh 2-11 Down 1-07 - Sat 12/04/2003

Neither managers Ross Carr or Ger Houlihan were giving much away as the two sides may meet in the Ulster Championship later this year. Both sides displayed character but it took a late flurry from the Orchard County to come away with the spoils. This was Down’s first defeat in the Ulster Minor League and it will give them the extra incentive come the Championship if Armagh get past the challenge of Monaghan.

Down had the measure of Armagh throughout the first half of the game and they took the lead with a well-taken goal from corner forward Stephen Sands. Both sides failed to run away with the lead and on 15 minutes of play they had three points apiece. It was a matter of who picked up the breaking ball in the midfield as to who was the next to shoot. And it was Down who brokered the next opportunity when a fast passing move saw Sands run in front of goal and hammer the ball into the net. Armagh responded using the remainder of the half to cancel out the lead. Three free’s from Peadar Toal and a point from Captain Quigley gave Armagh a point lead going in at half time.

Half Time Score: Armagh 0-7 Down 1-03

At the strat of the second half McSherry played long ball into Miceal O’ Rourke who palmed it to the forward Toal who easily dispatched the ball to the back of the Down net. Down's heads dropped a little and when they went forward sent a few balls wide. Armagh kicked three balls between the posts before Down responded.

Down clawed their way back into the game and with 30 minutes played they were only three points behind but an injury time goal from substitute Kieran Conlon expanded the difference and he added a point to his name to gave Armagh an ensured victory.

Armagh Team:
Paul Courtney, Pierce Caherty, Paul McCreesh, Gerald McCreesh, Marty Curran, Conor Mackle, Cathal McSherry, Gareth Swift, Ciaran Tiffany, Joe Quigley, Miceal O’Rourke, Liam Campbell, Chris O’Connor, Peadar Toal, and Shane Lyons.

Down Team:
Phelim McCreevy, Patsy Neeson, Owen Henry, Garry Hatton, James, Calgon, Mark Rooney, Joseph Ireland, Aidan Carr, Dan McCabe, James Doran, James McGovern, Aidan Macken, Kevin McGowan, and Stephen Sands.




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