Armagh beat Down; Offaly pummelled by Wexford

Ulster SFC Quarter-Final

Armagh 1-15 Down 1-10

Leinster SFC Quarter-Final

Wexford 2-16 Offaly 0-8

While Barcelona battered Manchester United in Wembley there was a battle on in the Ulster SFC at the Athletic Grounds as Armagh prevailed against Down.

The Mourne men, last year’s All-Ireland finalists, were fancied to take this one but it was former All-Ireland winning captain Paddy O'Rourke who had the last laugh with victory over his native county.

Down began well with points from Mark Poland and Martin Clarke from dead ball situations but Armagh chalked up 1-5 within ten minutes.

Poacher Jamie Clarke netting the goal after five minutes and corner back Kevin Dyas, Clarke and Steven McDonnell hitting points.

Declan Rooney hit back for Down but, again, Armagh pulled away with two points from attacking wing back Aaron Kernan.

Trailing by six points, with 22 minutes gone on the clock, Mark Poland danced his way around three defenders before firing to the net.

Former Mayo player Billy Joe Padden knocked over a point for an Armagh answer but Down rattled off three points before the break to pull them back to just a two-point deficit, 1-8 to 1-6.

From after the turnaround Charlie Vernon began to stamp his authority for the Orchard County in the middle of the field and for 25 minutes of the second half Down were held scoreless.

Aaron Kernan kicked five points in total on the night, all frees, while his brother Tony also got in on the act with a point from play.

Armagh will meet Derry in the provincial semi-final.

Earlier in the day, Wexford trounced Offaly in the Leinster SFC  and many spurned goal opportunities will be the visiting side’s biggest regret.

At half-time there was still hope for Offaly as they only trailed by six points, 1-9 to 0-6.

Ciarán Lyng was the first half goal-getter for the Model County and he finished top scorer on the day with a total contribution of 1-7.

A two-man full-forward line of Ben Brosnan and Lyng proved effective throughout and Offaly were made to pay the price for tactical misjudgments.

Offaly ace Niall McNamee tried hard to keep in touch at different stages of the game with four fine points from play.

The home side finished off the game in flourish as Redmond Barry hit their second goal of the game and Brosnan on target from free taking duties.