BACK CON TRACK

Relegated Armagh seal a date with Breffni as Turbitt steps up

IN the absence of Rian O’neill, Conor Turbitt stepped up as Armagh’s scorer-in-chief in an easy Ulster championship win over Antrim.

The full-forward (inset) caused havoc with his movement and finishing threat to land 0-8 including four points from play in the Athletic Grounds as Armagh marched on to a first round clash with Cavan in two weeks time. And while Kieran Mcgeeney and co will not be happy with everything about a subdued performance, it was the result that mattered after their recent relegation from Division One. “It was just about getting over the line today, that’s all we were focusing on,” said Armagh ‘keeper Ethan Rafferty. “We wouldn’t be happy with a lot of our play but it’s about getting the result and moving on.” Antrim had an outstanding display from their number seven, Marc Jordan, who carried the fight to Armagh. Skipper Peter Healy also played well and Odhran Eastwood, who was their topscorer in the League with 1-13 wasn’t able to start, but he made an impact when he came on. But the Saffrons carried too much ball into traffic and didn’t land a score until the 17th minute through Ruairi Mccann. By that stage Armagh already had five points on the board. Rory Grugan and Ciaran Mackin’s sizzler with the outside of the boot were early warning signs that Armagh were in the mood and then Turbitt exploded with two quickfire points. Antrim got turned over cheaply at times and dwelled on the ball that split second too long. Armagh punished the mistakes with Stefan Campbell pointing from one of the many turnovers.

Armagh led 0-10 to 0-4 at half time, with Antrim scoring three of the last four points of the half from Conor Stewart, Eoghan Mccabe and Ryan Murray.

The home side nailed three unanswered points within the opening five minutes of the second half to completely take the game away from Antrim.

Yet to their credit the Saffrons tried to hang in and midway through the half scored 1-1 from James Mcauley and Stewart with the goal.

Armagh ruthlessly closed the door on any Antrim fightback scoring two instant points from midfielder Shane Mcpartlan and Grugan.

Mcpartlan, with no real League experience behind him, came in really enjoyed himself in midfield scoring 0-4 from play including three after the break. Without Jarly Og Burns who had ‘flu, and scoring forwards O’neill and Andrew Murnin through injury, Armagh will be happy that five of the six starting forwards scored from play.

But it wasn’t exactly hot and heavy Championship fare.