Armagh dug deep in the closing stages to deny Mayo victory and earn a share of the spoils with a 0-17 to 0-17 draw at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday.

Kieran McGeeney’s side trailed by five points with four minutes remaining before hitting four answered scores of their own and it was Rian O’Neill that held his nerve to send over the equaliser from a free deep into injury-time.

After opening their Division 1 campaign with a two-point win against Monaghan on opening weekend, the Orchard County made the better start against their western counterparts here as the points of Rory Grugan (free), Tiernan Kelly and Andrew Murnin sent them towards a 0-8 to 0-6 half-time lead.

Kevin McStay introduced Cillian O’Connor to the fray for Mayo before the break and they’d dominate the game’s third quarter as Ryan O’Donoghue, Matthew Ruane, Jordan Flynn and O’Connor put the scores on the board for them.

Ruane, O’Donoghue and Colm Reape (free) completed the Connacht side’s 0-17 tally by the 66th minute and the points were seemingly in the bag.

However, a pair of Grugan frees provided the sparks for Armagh heading into the added minutes and O’Neill would sail over two more placed balls (one a 45) before tapping over the leveller (see below) in the eighth minute of injury-time.

#ArmvMay 70 +6 nóim@Armagh_GAA 0-17@MayoGAA 0-17

An cúilín deireanach sa cluiche faighte ag Rian O'Neill! 😮

Armagh score the final point bringing the teams to a draw! 🏐#GAABEO #AllianzLeagues @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AllianzIreland

BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/PjXsAspZVr

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 5, 2023

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