O'Fiaich Cup: O'Neill shines in Orchard win
December 05, 2016
Armagh's Oisin O'Neill chases Carlos McWilliams of Derry.
©INPHO/Presseye/Philip Magowan.
Armagh 2-20
Derry 3-13
Oisin O'Neill scored 0-5 in a man of the match display as Armagh defeated Derry at Crossmaglen to reach the final of the O'Fiaich Cup.
A son of former Armagh and Louth star Gareth O'Neill, O'Neill was one of several debutants on display, and caught the eye along with Ciaran Higgins, who bagged 1-2 after coming on for the black-carded Paul Hughes. Of the Derry newcomers, Danny Tallon impressed most, decorating a fine display with a brace of first half points.
Referee Martin McNally with Armagh's Aidan Forker and James Kielt of Derry.
©INPHO/Presseye/Philip Magowan.
A strong finish to the first half, which included a Barry Grant goal, enabled the visitors to take a 1-8 to 0-7 lead into the break. However, Armagh found their scoring boots after the restart to rack up 2-13, with Joe McElroy and Higgins raising the green flags.
Niall Toner and Conor Doherty netted at the other end, but the hosts weren't to be denied as they set up a final date with the winners of next Sunday's second semi-final between holders Tyrone and Louth on December 18.
Armagh - P Morrison; R McCaughey, B Donaghy, P Hughes; N Rowland, S Heffron, J McElroy (1-0); B Crealey, E Rafferty (0-2, 1f, 1'45); R Grugan (0-2, 1f), C White, A Forker (0-2); O O'Neill (0-5, 2f), P Casey (0-2), O MacIomhair (0-4). Subs: S McCoy for N Rowland, S Campbell (0-1) for C White, C Higgins (1-2) for P Hughes (BC), G McParland for P Casey, S Sheridan for E Rafferty, D McKenna for B Crealey, A Duffy for O MacIomhair.
Derry - B McKinless; C McGrogan, M McEvoy, N Keenan; P Coney, C McWilliams (0-2), N Forester; A McLaughlin, J Kielt (0-2f); J Doherty (0-1), R Bell, M Warnock (0-1); B Grant (1-0), N Loughlin (0-4, 3f), D Tallon (0-2). Subs: R Murphy for P Coney, C Mullen Young for B McKinless, F Higgins for J Doherty, D Curran (0-1f) for R Bell, N Toner (1-0) for M Warnock, F Kearney for B Grant, P Hagan for N Forester, C Maunsell for N Keenan, C Doherty (1-0) for J Kielt (BC), O Duffin for C McGrogan.
Referee - M McNally.
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