Neither Tyrone nor Donegal will fear us in Ulster Final, fumes Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney

Down 2-6 Armagh 0-13

Conor Turbitt of Armagh in action against Ceilum Doherty, left, and Finn McElroy of Down

Ryan Johnston of Down shoots to score his side's second goal during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final

thumbnail: Conor Turbitt of Armagh in action against Ceilum Doherty, left, and Finn McElroy of Down
thumbnail: Ryan Johnston of Down shoots to score his side's second goal during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final
Sean McGoldrick

After watching his side fall over the line against underdogs Down, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney suggested that the winners of tomorrow’s second Semi-Final between Tyrone and Donegal will not ‘be shaking in their boots after watching that.”

However, he insisted that, because it was the Ulster Championship, he wasn’t surprised by Down’s heroic challenge which just fell short as Armagh substitute Jason Duffy kicked the winning point deep in injury time.

“In Ulster, you are never surprised with the challenge. What can you say? Ulster has always been the same,” said McGeeney

Three of Armagh’s second half substitutes – Duffy, Aidan Nugent and Oisin O’Neill – hit the last three scores as Armagh turned a two point deficit on its head in the closing minutes having conceded an own goal in the first half and another goal early in the second period.

“They all did well. I am very happy with the way the boys dug the game out,” added McGeeney. “It wasn’t pretty. But we knew that’s the way they were going to come and play.

“A lot of stuff went against us. Balls bounced for Down, own goal, a few frees that sort of thing. I was really delighted the way they kept their composure under a lot of stress. We have lost a lot of those games over the years so to win it was really, really good. I am delighted for the boys.”

Meanwhile, devastated Down boss Conor Laverty said he was heartbroken.

“We put a lot of time and effort into that game. We put our life on hold since the Antrim game. We really believed we could win,” he sighed.

“We totally believed in the game plan, but just coming down the straight we just didn’t tag on a few scores and that’s what left us coming up short.

“At this level you have to be so clinical. We had spoken about this and our ability to get to that 14, 15, 16-point margin. We have to get better at that. It is the one area we are working hard at and the players are really applying themselves too.”

Laverty said that, having watched Armagh go after Fermanagh in the early stages of the Quarter-Final, Down believed they didn’t be cautious early.

“We wanted to be a bit more secure in defence. A lot of the pieces of the jigsaw fell into place but just the final piece let us down and that’s the heart-breaking thing. But I don’t think anybody could ask anymore of the players in terms of effort and attitude. I think they did the jersey proud,” he added.

Down will now miss out on the Sam Maguire Cup for the third year on the spin which Laverty acknowledged was a disappointment.

“No reflection on any other competition but our aim was to get promoted and we wanted to get into the Sam Maguire. But we will give the next competition (the Tailteann Cup) our upmost respect,” he said.

Scorers: Armagh: R Grugan 0-5 (5f), R O’Neill 0-3 (1f) A Forker 0-2, O O’Neill 0-1 (1m), A Nugent 0-1, J Duffy 0-1.

Down: P Burns 1-0og, R Magill 1-1, P Havern 0-2 (2f), D Guinness 0-1, D Magill 0-1, R Johnston 0-1

Armagh: B Hughes, P Burns, A McKay, P McGrane; J McElroy, C Mackin, A Forker; R O’Neill, B Crealey; S Campbell, R Grugan, O Conaty; C Turbitt, A Murnin, J Og Burns.

Subs: J Duffy for Crealey 47, O O’Neill for Og Burns 52, D McMullan for Campbell 58, A Nugent for Conaty 63.

Down: J O’Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, C Doherty; M Rooney, P Laverty, S Johnston; J Flynn, O Murdock; D Guinness, R Magill, R Johnston; R McElroy, P Havern, J McGuinness.

Subs: L Kerr for McGuiness ht; D Magill for Flynn 41, B O’Hagan for Rooney 50, O Savage for Guinness 58, S Annett for O’Hagan (injured) 63

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)

Relive all the action from our LIVE blog.

Down
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Armagh
Dylan O'Connell
That's all we have time for this evening. It was a joy to bring that thrilling game to you all. Kieran McGeeney's Armagh march on to the Ulster Final in a fortnight's time. We will leave you with a glimpse of that match-winning point from Jason Duffy who punched the Orchard County's ticket to the final where they will meet the winner of Donegal vs Tyrone.
Dylan O'Connell
"A small bit of composure and experience at that higher level, to keep the ball and find the right shot at the right moment might have been the difference," added a dejected Conor Laverty at full-time. The Down manager said it was a tough loss to take but he remained incredibly proud of his side who gave it their all this afternoon.  
Dylan O'Connell
"Keep doing what we're doing and not get frustrated. Trust in what we're doing, know we have quality to come off the bench, and not to panic and take wild shots at goal," added Rory Grugan in his post-game interview. The mantra was simple for Armagh, who held their nerve to find the match-winning score through Jason Duffy.
Dylan O'Connell
"They showed great patience, they probed and worked the ball from one side to the other. They've been in this scenario time and time before," said ex-Armagh defender Aaron Kiernan. The Crossmaglen man believed Armagh's experience helped them navigate the final minutes of that game when it was in the melting pot.  
Dylan O'Connell
It will count for seldom little now, but Danny Magill's goal really gave Down belief early in that second-half. Armagh showed remarkable mettle to remain calm and chip away at the Mournemen's lead.
Dylan O'Connell
Its Tailteann Cup football for the Mourne Men. They battled to the bitter end but it wasn't enough. Jason Duffy's point in the 73rd minute of added time proved to be the difference between these rivals. Armagh and Kieran McGeeney advance to the Ulster Senior Football Championship Final. 

Rian O'Neill has picked up the Player of the Match accolade with a personal tally of 0-3 this afternoon!
Dylan O'Connell
Oisin Lavin has the ball in his grasp by the sideline. The outside-of-the-boot effort sails miserably wide. Its all over in Clones as Armagh survive! Down will be heartbroken to come up agonisingly short of causing an enormous upset. 
Dylan O'Connell
Hold on... the free out has been reversed as Liam Devanney discusses with his linesman Sean Hurson and its is a free in to Down to put it to extra time. 
Dylan O'Connell
Ryan Johnston is hunted down by Andrew Murnin. Is that the chance gone for Down!? Armagh have won a crucial free out inside their own '45 line. 
Dylan O'Connell
Armagh continue to work the ball from one sideline to the other. Ciaran Mackin goes long and the ball is popped off eventually to Jason Duffy who swings the ball between the posts from 35 metres. Armagh lead!
Dylan O'Connell
Now the Orchard County look to create the match-winning score. Blaine Hughes joins the Armagh attack leaving his goalmouth unguarded, but all 30 players are in the Down half of the field. The tension is palpable in Clones!
Dylan O'Connell
Pierce Laverty takes the mark but the half-back balloons his effort into the terraces. We will have 4 additional minutes as Armagh look to attack the Down goal after retrieving their own kickout. 
Dylan O'Connell
Down look to build from the back with one eye on the clock. The Mournemen appear content to circulate the ball from one sideline to the other in order to work the prime shooting chance.
Dylan O'Connell
A massive score from Aidan Nugent! The sides are level once again. Peter McGrane launched the attack from inside his own half with a superb interception in defence. 
Dylan O'Connell
The Down corner-forward sees yellow for a big hit in the last play on Aaron McCabe. 
Dylan O'Connell
Its a disappointing end to the afternoon for O'Hagan, who after being subbed on earlier in the half, has to withdraw through injury. 
Dylan O'Connell
Kieran McGeeney makes an alteration at corner-forward. 
Dylan O'Connell
John O'Hare fires a long ball into the Armagh square but it's picked off by Blaine Hughes and Paddy Burns. Armagh will look to draw level with this subsequent attack. 
Dylan O'Connell
The Armagh substitute collects a fine mark and slots over the resulting point as Armagh cut the gap to a solitary score. 
Dylan O'Connell
Daniel Guinness evades the challenges and sets his sights on the posts, but the effort sails wide and Down's wide count mounts to 5 in total.