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Tyrone Well Beaten In Round Two
Sunday 02.02.2025
All Ireland champions Armagh made a triumphant return to the Athletic Grounds, picking up their first points of the national league at the expense of Tyrone.
Played in front of a bumper attendance Armagh made four changes to the team listed in the programme, the most significant being the inclusion of Ethan Rafferty between the posts. The Grange clubman picking up the man of the match award with five points from play, twice kicking two pointers.
Playing with the advantage of a stiff breeze Armagh led 5-1 at the end of the opening quarter. Tyrone had plenty of possession but found it difficult to break through the Armagh defence. Both keepers were called into action in the opening ten minutes to prevent goals. Armagh were happy to strike on the break with Turbitt, Murnin, and Conaty all hitting early points. Tyrone having to wait until the 16th minute for a Shea O’Hare point.
The game was effectively decided by a dominant second quarter performance by the home side. Tyrone struggled to retain their kickout, as a physical Armagh middle eight imposed themselves. The game’s only major arrived in the 21st minute, a super ball from Oisin Conaty found Rory Grugan, who passed to Murnin to palm to the net.
A vocal home support got louder as two point scores from Rafferty, Forker, and McQuillan took the game away from Tyrone. Armagh led 1-14 0-3 at the interval.
Tyrone hoped for a fast start to the second half but Armagh kicked four of the opening five points.
Tyrone did show some character and did make some headway with both midfielders on target, Darren McCurry twice converting two point frees and Shea O’Hare and Seanie O’Donnell both hitting their second points of the game, but the goal required never looked likely.
Michael McKernan kicked four points in the final ten minutes, along with points from Eoin McElholm and Kieran McGeary but Armagh had further points from Rafferty and Jemar Hall, with Andrew Murnin bringing his personal tally to 1-5, Armagh were comfortable winners.
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