NFL Division One

Armagh 0-17 Mayo 0-17     

A LAST minute free from Rian O’Neill capped Armagh’s thrilling comeback to earn a share of the spoils in the Box-It Athletic Grounds.

The home side rattled off the final five points of the game to earn an unlikely draw against Mayo

It was a hectic, intense and thoroughly enjoyable game of football, and in the end a draw was perhaps a fair result.

Mayo step up in intensity saw them power into a five point lead but Kieran McGeeney’s men battled back bravely and got their reward.

Rian O’Neill grabbed the first score of the day, which was soon cancelled out through a Ryan O’Donoghue free.

Rory Grugan traded points with Fionn McDonagh before O’Neill and Andrew Murnin doubled the home sides lead.

O’Donoghue and O’Neill traded frees while Rory Grugan matched Aidan O’Shea’s mark to keep the Orchard ahead.

Conor Turbitt claimed a great individual score while Andrew Murnin put Armagh in front by double scores.

But Mayo grabbed two scores before the break. Jordan Flynn pointed before Cillian O’Connor latched onto a loose Ethan Raffety kickout and made it 8-6 at half time.

Mayo stepped things up in the second half and by the 14^th minute got their noses ahead for the first time, through a Ryan O’Donoghue score.

Mayo’s press on the Armagh kickouts hemmed the home side in and Flynn, along with O’Donoghue stretched Mayo’s lead.

The Westerners could have been out of sight as Jordan flew through on goal, but Callum Cumiskey’s goal line clearance proved pivotal.

A long range free from Mayo netminder Colm Reape opened up a five-point margin and everything pointed to an away victory.

But Armagh turned things around. Rory Grugan and Turbitt pointed to narrow the gap to three points.

A trio of scores from Rian O’Neill, including the all-important final score, earned Armagh a share of the spoils.

Armagh: Ethan Rafferty, Aaron McKay, Aidan Forker, Ross Finn, Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Jarly Og Burns, Connaire Mackin, Stefan Campbell, Jemar Hall, Rory Grugan 0-4 (2f), Tiernan Kelly 0-1, Rian O’Neill 0-6 (5f), Andrew Murnin 0-3, Conor Turbitt 0-3
Subs: Niall Grimley for R. Finn, Ross McQuillan for T. Kelly

Mayo: Colm Reape 0-1 (1f), David McBrien, Rory Brickenden, Jack Coyne, Stephen Coen, Conor Loftus, Enda Hession, Matthew Ruane 0-1, Aidan O’Shea 0-2 (1m), Jack Carney, Bob Tuohy, Jordan Flynn 0-2, Fionn McDonagh 0-1, James Carr 0-1, Ryan O’Donoghue 0-7 (6f)
Subs: Cillian O’Connor for J. Carr (Blood Sub), Cillian O’Connor 0-2 for J. Carney, Darren McHale for B. Tuohy, Conor McStay for J. Carr, Donnacha McHugh for A. O’Shea