44 FINAL PAIN IS DRIVING ON BURNS

JARLY Og Burns says the ‘hurt’ of losing last year’s Ulster final on penalties is driving Armagh on to try and get back there this summer.

Burns scored one of Armagh’s three first-half goals in their 11-point first round win over Fermanagh at Brewster Park on Sunday.

Next up is Down, whom they beat last year on their way to the final, which ended in a dramatic penalty shootout defeat at Clones.

Armagh lost the shootout 3-1 as Derry claimed back-to-back Ulster titles for the first time since the mid 1970s.

“Look, it hurt last year, it really did, especially getting beaten on penalties,” admitted Burns, with Armagh still without an Ulster title since

HARD TO STOP: Armagh’s Jarly Og Burns drives past Ronan McCaffrey of Fermanagh

2008.

“We will knuckle down and focus on Down and try to get back there in the final at Clones.

“Down are a very dangerous team on their day.

“I’m sure they weren’t too happy with their performance (against Antrim) from what I hear.

Derby

“But it’s a derby and form goes out the window. It will be a tough battle and we need to get our own house in order first.”

After doing all the damage in the first half, Armagh appeared to ease up in the second, which they drew 0-7 to 0-7 with Fermanagh.

Burns said: “We were particularly pleased with the first half and we took the goals well, but we would not be happy with our conversion rate.

“We had eight wides there in the first half but it’s probably a good thing because we have something else to work on for the semi-final, and we go again.”