Armagh cling on as Louth fail to snatch a draw

Armagh clung on to win two precious Division Two points against neighbours Louth as Sam Mulroy's attempt at a last-gasp Louth equaliser went wide.

As expected, it was tightly contested encounter between the rivals and a point may have been a fair result, but big second half performances from Stefan Campbell, Conor Turbitt and substitute Jarly Og Burns dragged Armagh over the winners line.

Mulroy’s late chance was into the wind, but the free tailed wide and with-it Louth’s chances.

Armagh gave league debuts to Oisin Conaty and Peter McGrane, but were missing Crossmaglen’s Rian O’Neill and Dromintee’s Aaron McKay.

The game was 20 minutes old before Conor Turbitt (free) opened Armagh’s account, but by that stage Louth have found the target on four occasions.

Paul Mathews set the tone with a look up and shoot point in the opening minute and Ryan Burns followed up with a point, which would have been a goal, only for a magnificent save from keeper Blaine Hughes, after the brilliant Craig Lennon bombed through the orange mass defence.

Both sides were finding it difficult to figure out the wind and kicked wides before Ciaran Keenan and full-back Dermot Campbell gave Louth a 0-04 to no score lead.

Turbitt opened Armagh’s account and a minute later Oisin Conaty had cut Louth’s lead in half.

Tommy Durnin grabbed an important point for Louth as Orchard pressure increased and as the break approached Turbitt converted his second free after Ciaran Mackin was fouled and then Rory Grugan floated over a beauty.

Turbit probably should have scored a goal, but goalkeeper Niall McDonnell got down low to deny Armagh and keep his side in front at half-time by the bare minimum, 0-05 to 0-04.

The Wee County started the second much like the first with three