SUPERCUPNI: Rangers see off County Armagh with final kick

Chris Hutchinson’s superb long-range free-kick provided the Orchard County boys with a boost in front of a bumper crowd but Rangers finished with the final cheer.

“We were 1-0 down at half-time but then Chris put away a great free-kick from distance to make it level,” said County Armagh coach Dean McCullough. “It was a big game to kick it off for our boys but they can be proud of the performance and 100 per cent effort.

“In the end, Rangers put a ball over the top and finished a chance but we felt there was a foul on our defender.

“Alberto Balde came off the bench and caused Rangers some problems with his pace and strength, with the goalkeeper making a good stop at 1-1.

“The boys are a bit down as it looked as if we were going to get something from the match before what was basically the game’s final kick.

“However, we will take the positives moving forward and focus on the performance levels over the result.

“After all, this is about a learning curve and the overall opportunities rather than a single match.”

COUNTY ARMAGH: David Walsh (Linfield), Jack McIvor (Glenavon), Ruairi McDonald (Dungannon Swifts), Lee Upton (Portadown Youth), Daniel Neill (Portadown Youth), Daniel Gordon (Portadown Youth), Chris Hutchinson (Portadown Youth), Scott McCann (Loughgall Youth), Jack Adamson (Portadown Youth), Ryan Latifi (Portadown Youth), Ryan Carmichael (Loughgall Youth). SUBS (used): Alberto Balde (Portadown Youth), Rioghan Crawford (Lurgan Celtic), Patrick Kerr (Armagh City).