BMAC Performance Analysis have evaluated the Armagh Senior and Intermediate finals and have pin-pointed areas that allowed Armagh Harps and Killeavy to triumph.

In the senior final, the Harps overcame a slow start to defeat defending champions Maghery 2-9 to 0-11.

Maghery led 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time and were deserving of that advantage.

Their main source of scores in the first half came from turning the Harps over and effectively counter attacking, something they achieved three times in the opening 30 minutes.

They had a higher turnover rate than Armagh Harps with 18 turnovers (14 in defence) in the opening period. They were also more productive up front as they converted 42% of their scores.

The Harps had only 11 turnovers, however they did turn over nine of Maghery’s attacks in their own defence, while only turning one of these turnovers into scores.

Their other source of scoring came from winning their own kickouts, which they had done very efficiently throughout the half.

The Harps tactic of kicking their restarts short told the tale of their first half. Retaining 100% of their 10 kick-outs, while also winning 4/7 of Maghery’s all via break balls.

Getting bodies around Maghery’s midfield and breaking the ball away from James Lavery and Ben Crealey was working well, however they failed to turn this possession into scores converting only 2/12 shots (17%) from 21 attacks.

Two goals in a minute from Ryan McShane and Ultan Lennon was obviously the key part of the game, but John Toner’s side had an overall improvement in the second half.

Maghery’s continuation of turnovers provided 50% of their scores in the second half. They managed to turn the Harps over 11 times in the second 30 minutes of play. Maghery had 17 shots in the second half, 29 throughout the game, converting 38% of them.

Harps failed to have the same dominance from their own kickouts in the second half. Retaining 7 from 11 and providing 3 of their second half scores. Their shooting improved in the second half to take their shot accuracy to 42% across the 60 minutes.

In the Intermediate final, Killeavy’s first-half dominance was key as they went in 0-8 to 0-3 ahead against silverbridge.

Killeavy dominated their own kick-outs in the first half, retaining 7/8, and three of these being converted into scores.

They also scored three times off the back of turnovers, turning over Silverbridge 12 times (eight in defence) during the half. Killeavy attacked the Silverbridge defence 19 times in the opening period, getting off 14 shots, while converting 57% of them.

All of Silverbridge’s scores in the first half came from turnovers, as they turned Killeavy over 13 times, seven of which came within their own defence.

Silverbridge also only won six of their 11 kickouts. They had less attacks than their opponents, with 16 in total, converting 30% of their 10 shots on goal.

Although the ‘Bridge did have a good third quarter, a Raymie Teggart goal sealed the deal for the side and the statistics showed that they were deserving champions.

Killeavy didn’t enjoy the same domination from their own restarts in the second half, as they won on 6/11; however, they were still able to convert 50% of their retained kick-outs into scores.

They returned a shot conversion rate of 61% throughout the game. Scoring 14 of their 23 shots, kicking six wides and dropping two short, while also hitting the post once.

Silverbridge converted 50% of their 22 shots with six of their points coming from open play. They also won 67% of their own kick-outs, four of which were turned into scores.

Silverbridge had the most attacks between the two sides, with 36 throughout the entire game. Killeavy turned the ball over 19 times in their own defensive third, producing a platform to counter-attack. That was something that they did effectively, scoring six points as a result of turnovers.