Minors through to semi-final

ARMAGH minors cleared another huge hurdle by defeating Monaghan last Saturday night at Newry to set up an Ulster semi-final against either Cavan or Fermanagh.

Similar to the preliminary round win over Derry in Celtic Park, this young Armagh side gave their supporters some anxious moments before showing a great deal of self-belief to run out as five point winners.

Paul McShane’s outfit led by eight points following a converted free kick from Clann ireann’s Barry Seeley six minutes into the second half, but just ten minutes later a Monaghan goal, struck by the effective Jack McCarron, cut the lead back to two and memories of the last game against Derry came flooding back.

But a cracking left-foot strike from Sarsfields lad Paul McGeown settled things for Armagh, and Barry Seeley landed a ‘45’ near the end to put the game beyond doubt.

It was McGeown who hit the all-important goal for the winners. The ‘Trasna youngster won a ball on the 40 metre line, before finding himself on the end of a move with Colin Stevenson before lobbing the keeper with his right foot.

With Armagh captain Peter Carragher being forced to retire with an injury in the second half, young McGeown shored up the midfield sector but his total of 3-7 in just two Championship games would suggest that full forward is his best position.

This Armagh team has a balance beyond its years, they are also allowed to play with a measure of flair and imagination which is refreshing in the era of ‘development squad’ training which can sometimes stifle individual skill.

Armagh have two cracking defenders in Colm Hoey at number three and Keady’s James King at centre half. Wing men Dean Nugent and St. Peter’s lad Niall McConville attack up the flanks at every opportunity - McConville himself scoring an excellent first-half point.

Up front, both Ryan Rafferty and Colin Stevenson would prove a handful for any defence. Rafferty made a great run ten minutes from time but his goalbound effort was parried to safety by Monaghan keeper Dean McDermott.

To be frank, several fundamental, but unforced, errors from this young Armagh side, when attempting to execute what manager Paul McShane called ‘the perfect pass’ threw Monaghan a lifeline.

On the three-quarter mark, one such blunder gave Monaghan the incentive and Jack McCarron’s strike gave Armagh keeper Matthew McNeice no chance from close range.

Several players from both sides stood out on the night, but one defender in particular hardly put a foot wrong during the 60 minutes.

Wolfe Tones lad Ruairi McCaughley, despite facing several opponents in several positions throughout the game, played brilliantly, both in his reading of the game and in his distribution.

Although Monaghan took the initiative in the early stages with points from McCarron and Daniel McKenna, a converted sideline effort from Barry Seeley and a palmed Paul McGeown effort squared the game.

The winners dominated the second quarter, Aidan Forker hit a great score from out on the wing and Niall McConville, on a raid at pace, hit one of the scores of the night from 40 yards.

In a six minute period, ‘Trasna’s Paul McGeown shot 1-2 with his club-mate Colin Stevenson crashing over soon after. Barry Seeley, with a point, put six between the Ulster rivals at half-time.

The third quarter, however, belonged to Monaghan despite the best efforts of Aidan Forker and Seeley who had stretched the lead to eight. Points from McEneaney, McKenna and McCarron’s goal promised a grandstand finish.

It was the reigning champions who finished the stronger, however, as McGeown and Seeley cushioned Armagh to a five points win with Farney lad Keith McEneaney almost sneaking a goal in the dying minutes.

The best team won on the night but Monaghan, with a little more luck in front of goal, could have been a lot closer at the finish.

Again, the Armagh management team have a lot of work to do in training in order to prevent another big lead being lost.

However, considering the youthfulness of the side, the maturity shown in their two Ulster outings to date should galvanise the team and help them as they target another title.