Ulster U17FC: Down 0-11 Armagh 0-08

Saturday 28th April 2018

Down needed extra-time to overcome their neighbours at Pairc Esler on a 0-11 to 0-8 score line this evening.

A late point from Armagh's Conor Doherty made it 0-07 apiece and forced extra-time.

Armagh's Eoin Woods opened the scoring in the first few minutes, but Austin Clarke responded for Down, with Sheelan Johnstown firing over the next two points to put Down 0-03 to 0-01 in front after ten minutes.  Ryan Connolly (Down) and Armagh's Conor Doherty exchanged points.  On the 20th minute mark Armagh's Louis Hughes closed the gap to a point. 

Down lifted their game with their defence on top and were moving the ball well from defence through to midfield and Justin Clarke fired over the next two points to leave the score Down 0-06 Armagh 0-03.  Before half time Armagh's James McCormack and Down Sheelan Johnston added points to leave the half time score Down 0-07 to Armagh's 0-04.

Within 1 minute of the restart Eoin Woods opened the scoring for Armagh to reduce the gap to two points, and it looked to the 1500 crowd that it was game on.  However over the next 28 mins neither side scored with both sides missing various scoring opportunities.  Finally on the 29th minute Eoin Woods reduced the score to within a point and less than a minute later Conor Doherty equalised the tie at 0-07 apiece and force the game into extra time, with Down not scoring in the second half.

Shealan Johnston scored two points in the additional period, while Adam Crimmins and Sheelan Reavey were also on target as James McCartan's charges eventually prevailed on a score line of Down 0-11 Armagh 0-08.

Down qualify to Round 2, where they will play Tyrone, while Armagh play Derry in the qualifiers.

Round 2 Electric Ireland Ulster Football Minor Championship:

Saturday 12 May / Sunday 13 May
(1) @FermanaghGAA  V (2) @CavanCoBoardGaa
(3) @OfficialDownGAA V (4) @TyroneGAALive
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