Late bloom by Orchard stuns Clare

ARMAGH dug themselves a very large hole and then produced a fantastic flurry of late scores to get out of it.

They kicked 18 wides in the Athletic Grounds yesterday, which could have cost them – but they kept their season alive with a very late 1-4 to stun Clare.

Approaching the last minute of normal time, the Orchard trailed by three points. But when sub Joe Mcelroy’s goal levelled the scores heading into six minutes of stoppage time, Clare completely folded.

They lost the resulting kickout from Mcelroy’s goal and that was that, Armagh blitzing them with points from skipper Rory Grugan and subs Gavin Mcparland and Ross Mcquillan.

Armagh also started the game with a bang and raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 12 minutes.

Clare then stormed back and scored five unanswered points to gain a real foothold in the game.

Armagh drew level at six points apiece with a Niall Grimley free and Ryan Mcshane’s point, but Clare scored three of the next four points before the break to lead 0-9 to 0-7.

There were twists and turns aplenty in the second half with Clare opening up a 0-13 to 0-8 lead. That’s when things got interesting. Andrew Murnin’s smart finish on the turn started the first Armagh revival in the 56th minute.

That left them a point behind – but Clare thought they’d closed it out when David Tubridy hit the net with three minutes to go.

A high challenge by Ryan Owens on Eimhin Courtney gave Clare a penalty and while Blaine Hughes saved Tubridy’s shot, the attacker followed up the rebound and tapped it home.

There was still time for one more twist, with Mcelroy’s goal igniting Armagh’s furious finish.