Armagh minors come back from the dead

26 June 2005

Armagh 2-5
Derry 1-7

Armagh produced an amazing second half recovery to edge out Derry in a thrilling Ulster minor football semi-final at Casement Park.

There appeared to be no way back for the Orchard County when they trailed by 0-1 to 1-5 at the interval, but somewhat they fought back to snatch an unlikely victory. After a closely contested opening, Derry cut loose to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after 17 minutes. Indeed, had it not been for the brilliance of Armagh ’keeper John McKeever, they would have been out of sight.

McKeever produced two magnificent saves before Derry eventually found a way past him when Eoghan Browne goaled on the stroke of half-time.

Armagh looked a different team in the second half and with David McKenna taking a firm grip at midfield, they eat into the deficit. Goals from Kyle Carragher and sub Mark McAllister in the 49th and 51st minutes brought the sides level at 2-4 to 1-7 before substitute Jason O’Neill landed the winning point two minutes from time.