A GOAL from Andrew Murnin helped Armagh’s chances of reaching the Division One final in a 1-12 to 0-10 win in a monsoon at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday night.

Their win takes them level with Mayo in second place behind Kerry who defeated Mayo in Tralee with a late free from David Clifford.

Murnin scrambled home a goal to put Armagh ahead, but points from Paddy Woodgate (2) and Jimmy Hyland levelled matters before Rian O’Neill edged Armagh into a 1-4 to 06 interval lead.

Ethan Rafferty’s kicking was exemplary in goal on a night when Armagh, collectively, nullified the threat of Daniel Flynn with the workrate of Tiernan Kelly a key factor.

Two points from substitute Stefan Campbell were an extra boost for the home side in a game that was balance for much of the second half and was enough to help them to victory.

Armagh host Kerry next weekend ahead of a championship dress rehearsal with Donegal in Round Seven.

Armagh: E Rafferty; G McCabe, A Forker (0-1), A McKay; J Morgan, N Rowland, J Óg Burns (0-1); Ciaran Mackin, B Crealey; J Hall (0-1), R Grugan (0-2, 1f), T Kelly (0-1); A Murnin (1-0), R O’Neill (0-4, 2f, 1 ’45’, 1m), C O’Hanlon
Subs: S Campbell (0-2) for J Hall (45), J Duffy for A Murnin (51), Connaire Mackin for N Rowland (54), C O’Neill for C O’Hanlon (64), N Grimley for B Crealey (70)

Kildare: M Donnellan; M O’Grady, S Ryan, R Houlihan; J Sargent, J Murray, D Ryan; A Masterson, K Flynn; F Conway, B McCormack (0-1), P Cribbin; P Woodgate (0-3, 1f), D Flynn (0-1m), J Hyland (0-4, 3f)
Subs: D Kirwan (0-1) for P Woodgate (47), K Feely for A Masterson (51), K O’Callaghan for F Conway (51), A Beirne for J Murray (61), Tony Archbold for J Sargent (61), B McLoughlin for J Hyland (Blood sub 70)

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan)

READ MORE…Mixed fortunes for Down and Antrim. Click here…