TEG Cusack Park was no place for the faint-hearted this evening as 14-man Armagh struck 1-2 in injury-time to beat Westmeath in a bruising All-Ireland SFC Division 2B qualifier.

Tempers boiled over both on the pitch and in the stand where Gardai were forced to intervene immediately after Ethan Rafferty's 75th minute goal for the visitors. 

Armagh brought a large travelling support to Mullingar and their fans celebrated on the pitch afterwards, but the victory was tempered by the concession of over 40 frees (could this be a record?) and a red card for substitute Gregory McCabe as well as black cards for star forward Jamie Clarke and his Crossmaglen team-mate James Morgan in the second and 19th minutes respectively.

Westmeath, who missed several chances to pull away after McCabe was sent off inside the final quarter, were no angels themselves with Mark McCallon and John Egan also picking up black cards in what was an ill-disciplined and error-ridden affair.

Tweet

Most Read Stories