Louth snatch dramatic last-gasp win over Armagh

Sam Mulroy found the net with the last kick of the game as Louth stunned Armagh witha 2-20 to 2-19 win in Round 2A of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

With Gavin Devlin’s side opting to host the game in Inniskeen, it provided a fine backdrop as his side snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to send Armagh into Round Three.

It looked as though Armagh’s muscle memory of emerging from tight situations would see them through as they led by two with the game in the final minute, but their inability to score in the final nine minutes was keeping Louth in the hunt.

In the end, it was a turnover that gave Louth one final chance and while it seemed Mulroy was shooting for an equalising two-pointer, his roll of the dice hit the jackpot as the ball evaded the previously solid Ethan Rafferty for a winning goal.

Armagh make a flying start

It was Armagh who made the better start with Gareth Murphy racing through and thumping low to the corner of the net.

Cian McConville added a point but Louth would soon settle with Dara McDonnell setting them on their way.

The sides would trade a pair of scores before Conor Turbitt and Oisin Conaty stretched the Armagh lead to five, but Louth began to get into a flow with Sam Mulroy and Ryan Burns on target before Mulroy slung over a two-pointer.

Confidence was growing for Louth as they edged ahead for the first time and while Armagh got back level, further scores from Conor Grimes and James Maguire had the Wee County back ahead.

A two-point free from Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty tied it up late in the first period, but Louth would finish the opening half with a pair of scores, while Sam Mulroy would clear off the line from Cian McConville as they took a 0-14 to 1-9 lead into the break.

Craig Lennon stretched the lead within seconds of the resumption, but Armagh would respond in fine fashion as Oisin Conaty’s initial shot at goal was blocked, but he would finish to the net at the second time of asking.

Frees from Cian McConville and Oisin O’Neill gave Armagh the advantage once again, but back came Louth with a goal of their own as McDonnell flashed a shot into the far corner of the net.

It was becoming a see saw battle with Armagh again level and Jarlath Og Burns kicking a two-pointer and the teams continued to slug it out as the Orchard men moved three clear, but Louth remained within a score as this game moved into the final 10 minutes.

The gap was two as the seconds ticked down with Louth moving the ball in an effort to engineer an equalising shot. Mulroy got a shot off just before the hooter and while it dipped, it evaded Rafferty as the Wee County snatched the most dramatic of wins to move into the quarter-finals.

Armagh now must regather themselves for next weekend and a Round Three clash.