Grugan’s last gasp free settles a Clones classic

Tyrone 0-22 Armagh 0-23

‘I’D rather win ugly than lose pretty!’ So uttered Philadelphia Eagles Superbowl winning quarter-back Nick Foles some years ago as he reflected back on his solid if not spectacular career.

Distraught Tyrone players and supporters will likely echo that sentiment heading into a new week.

It will be of scant consolation to the Red Hands that they were involved in a ‘Clones Classic’ on Saturday evening as their hopes of annexing the Ulster Senior Championship title were dashed in the most dramatic and controversial fashion.

As was the case in their epic 2005 Al-Ireland semi-final meeting in Croke Park, a winning free with the last kick of the contest decided the outcome, but on this occasion it was the vast throngs clad in orange who were screaming in delight.

Rory Grugan steered over the winner from in front of the posts, just after the hooter had sounded, referee David Gough deeming rather harshly that Tyrone sub Peter Harte had sent Conor Turbitt bundling to the ground as he cut in. It was a cruel manner in which to see your Anglo-Celt dreams snatched away.

Armagh, defending All-Ireland champions, were the front runners in this contest for the first three-quarters, and at one stage in the second half had built up a six point cushion, despite the scoring heroics of man of the match Darren McCurry, who ended up with 0-10 to his name.

However subs Peter Harte and especially Eoin McElholm helped to galvanise Tyrone down the home straight. They went two points clear and also saw a crucial refereeing call go against them when a panicking Armagh keeper Ethan Rafferty clearly fouled Darragh Canavan as he dived on top of the ball having been caught stranded yards from his own line.

In fairness both sides will feel they have reason to be vexed with one or two of the decisions made by the experienced Meath whistler, though it shouldn’t overshadow what was an enthralling watch.

The Errigal Ciaran trio of Cormac Quinn, Joe Oguz and Ruairi Canavan were drafted into the Tyrone starting 15, and it was their club colleague Darragh Canavan who opened the scoring on twenty seconds.

However with Oisin Conaty and Rory Grugan pulling the strings, Armagh eased ahead 0-4 to 0-1, Oisin O’Neill thumping a fine two pointer.

A brace from McCurry (one free) was cancelled out by scores from Grugan and midfielder Callum O’Neill at the other end, before Michael McKernan’s stylish two pointer left just the bare minimum between them.

While McCurry’s close range free restored parity at six points apiece on 21 minutes, Armagh’s greater physicality and composure began to show as they forced the Red Hands into a series of turnovers.

They enjoyed an impressive purple patch in the run-up to the break, asserting control around the midfield where they stymied the threat of Brian Kennedy and Conn Kilpatrick, though the former did screw a goal chance off target.

The pumped up Orchard boys slotted five points ahead of the interval, keeper Rafferty, Callum O’Neill and Oisin Conaty among those registering, but a couple of tidy McCurry points at least kept Tyrone in contention, trailing 0-11 to 0-8 at half-time.

The excellent Conaty popped over two more on the resumption, before a timely Kilpatrick two pointer and Darragh Canavan effort reduced the arrears.

Four scores on the spin from Armagh underlined their class and calibre, Jarly Og Burns helping to dictate proceedings with his measured approach.

He fisted a score, while Oisin O’Neill, Ross McQuillan and Ben Crealey also split the posts.

When Grugan (free) and McCurry swapped scores, the scoreline read 0-18 to 0-12 in Armagh’s favour, and it appeared that Tyrone’s challenge was wilting.

However with McElholm injecting some vigour into the attack they rallied in superb fashion. He slipped over a score with his first touch, while McCurry continued to add to his tally, before Darragh Canavan tagged on a free and Peter Harte drilled a two pointer to leave it 0-19 apiece.

Armagh were getting increasingly rattled. Kieran McGeeney was booked on the line for a show of dissent, and McCurry nailed the subsequent two point free to hand the Red Hands the lead.

Subs Conor Turbitt and McElholm raised white flags as the gap remained two but to their credit Armagh maintained their poise, as Burns and sub Steafan Campbell landed scores to draw the game level.

Extra-time was now looming but with the hooter having sounded, Armagh critically fashioned one final opportunity, and with Gough making that contentious call against Harte, Grugan’s tap over steered Armagh into the Ulster Final.

Scorers

Armagh: Oisin Conaty (0-4), Rory Grugan (0-3,2f), Callum O’Neill (0-3), Oisin O’Neill (0-3,1tp), Jarly Og Burns (0-2), Ross McQuillan (0-2), Andrew Murnin (0-2), Ethan Rafferty, Conor Turbitt, Ben Crealey, Stefan Campbell (0-1 each)

Tyrone: Darren McCurry (0-10,1tpf, 4f), Darragh Canavan (0-4,2f), Michael McKernan (0-2,tp), Eoin McElholm (0-2), Conn Kilpatrick (0-2,tp), Peter Harte (0-2,tp)

Teams

Armagh: Ethan Rafferty, Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Tomas McCormack, Ross McQuillan, Greg McCabe, Jarly Og Burns, Callum O’Neill, Ben Crealey, Darragh McMullan, Oisin Conaty, Peter McGrane, Rory Grugan, Andrew Murnin, Oisin O’Neill. Subs used: Conor Turbitt for O O’Neill (52mins), Jemar Hall for B Crealey (54), Cian McConville for D McMullan (61), Stefan Campbell for A Murnin (62), Shane McPartlan for P McGrane (67)

Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Cormac Quinn, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin, Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary, Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick, Aodhan Donaghy, Joe Oguz, Ciaran Daly, Darren McCurry, Ruairi Canavan, Darragh Canavan. Subs used: Seanie O’Donnell for A Donaghy (42mins), Ben McDonnell for J Oguz (48), Eoin McElholm for R Canavan (48), Peter Harte for C Daly (54), Paudie Hampsey for C Quinn (58)

Referee: David Gough (Meath)