Armagh edge out Tyrone after extra-time thriller

Armagh came through an epic Ulster Senior Football Championship preliminary round tie at the Athletic Grounds to pip Tyrone 1-17 to 1-16. Kieran McGeeney's side thought they had done enough in normal time when leading by three with less than two minutes remaining, but a Ben McDonnell goal forced the additional period. The Orchard men found a way to get over the line as, although they made a flying start in extra time, Tyrone again fought back before Conor Turbitt fisted over what proved to be the winner and settle another memorable battle between these rivals.

Armagh will now face Fermanagh in a quarter-final at Brewster Park on Saturday, 25 April. It was a game which was befitting of this rivalry as despite coming in as underdogs, Tyrone found a performance and almost a win, but perhaps it was the strength of Armagh's bench which ultimately decided the matter with Turbitt and the excellent Oisin O'Neill contributing eight points between them and their scores coming at key times. Callum O'Neill gets a shot away as Kieran McGeary closes in [Getty Images] The opening half was a slow burner with both sides off target with early opportunities but perhaps a strong, swirling wind was not helping.

It was Armagh who were making greater headway as late replacement Callum O'Neill kicked three points from three shots including one from play to help his side open a 0-6 to 0-1 lead midway through the opening half. It took Tyrone 11 minutes to get on the board through the excellent Conn Kilpatrick, but Armagh's running game was causing problems with Cian McConville and Ross McQuillan finding scores. The Red Hands still managed to hang in despite losing Darragh Canavan to a knee injury.

After an exchange of points, Canavan's replacement Mattie Donnelly slung over a fine score with his first touch and Ciaran Daly added another. The Red Hands were dealt a second blow with team captain Brian Kennedy also forced off but Armagh's momentum was stalling a little as a Darragh McMullen score was their first in 12 minutes but helped them into a 0-8 to 0-4 advantage. Tyrone were growing in confidence and that continued after the break as Donnelly pointed before Jordan finally found his range, kicking a free and then adding another from play.