Armagh back to winning ways to keep alive final hopes

Armagh gave their chances of reaching a Division One league final a shot in the arm as they returned to winning ways against Kieran McGeeney's old team, Kildare.

It was a deserved win for Armagh and stretches Kildare’s losing run in Ulster to seven league games, a run going back to 2017, and it was a third defeat to a northern side for Glenn Ryan’s team this season.

In wet and windy conditions, the Lilywhites could have been picking the ball out of their net after less than 30 seconds, but Niall Rowland struck the upright after Rian O’Neill’s pass when he really should have scored.

Kildare scored the first two points of the game through Paddy Woodgate and Daniel Flynn, but Armagh wasted no time in reeling them in and they were level by the 15th minute after points from Aidan Forker and Tiernan Kelly.

A beautifully struck left footed effort from Ben McCormack gave Kildare the lead a minute later but that was the last time they had their noses in front.

Jemar Hall quickly levelled and then Andrew Murnin scrambled home the game’s only goal in the 20th minute despite the best efforts of Mark Donnellan in the Kildare goal. That finish came after a long spell of patient, possession football from Armagh, the kind that they showed throughout the game.

Kildare’s response to that led to their best spell of the game and they scored the next three points, from Woodgate (2) and Hyland, to tie the scores.

Armagh though finished the half on top and took a 1-4 to 0-6 lead into the break after a close range Rian O’Neill free kick.

If the first half was closely fought, Armagh showed the gap that you might expect between a team managed by somebody in his eighth season as opposed to a team managed by somebody yet to reach eight games.

Armagh