Ulster SFC semi-final

Armagh 4-10 Down 0-12

By Michael McMullan

ARMAGH shot their way to a first Ulster final since 2008 thanks to four goals against neighbours Down on Sunday in Clones.

They will face Derry in the decider for the first time since the sides met in the 2000 final when Armagh were 1-12 to 1-11 winners.

Goals from star man Andew Murnin and Shane McParlan had Armagh in relative control at the half time.

Down went long periods of the second half with Ciaran Mackin flicking home a third goal after another long ball asked questions the Mource defence couldn’t answer.

The game was over as a contest by the time Rian O’Neill tucked in a fourth Armagh goal sending Down into the Tailteann Cup.

Armagh: E Rafferty; C O’Neill (0-1), A McKay, A Forker (0-1); Ciaran Mackin (1-0), G McCabe, J Óg Burns; B Crealey, S McPartlan (1-0); J Duffy (0-2), R Grugan (0-1f), J Hall (0-1); R O’Neill (1-0), A Murnin (1-1), C Turbitt
Subs: Connaire Mackin for Crealey (35), S Campbell (0-1) for Hall, R McQuillan for McPartlan (both 50), A Nugent (0-1) for Turbitt (56), O Conaty for Murnin (61), C Cummiskey (0-1) for Ciaran Mackin (BS 67-F).

Down: N Kane; P Laverty, S Annett, M Rooney; D Magill, N McParland, D Guinness; C Poland, R McEvoy (0-2f); C Doherty, R Johnston (0-1), L Kerr (0-1); P Branagan (0-1), P Havern (0-6, 5f), E Branagan
Subs: A Gilmore (0-1) for E Branagan, S Johnston for Annett (both 41), D McAleenan for Doherty (48), R Carr for P Branagan (52), E Brown for Poland (59)

Referee: C Lane (Cork)