Galway eventually came out on top of Armagh in one of the most thrilling games Croke Park has seen for years, 2-21 to 3-18 after extra-time with the Tribesmen winning 4-1 on penalties. The teams could not be separated in normal time or extra time and almost three hours after the ball was first thrown in Matthew Tierney’s penalty struck the net and jubilant celebrations could finally begin in the Galway camp.
With 71 minutes gone Galway were six points and a man up and seemingly cruising their way into only a second All-Ireland semi-final in 21 years.
Armagh began to drill in some high deliveries which caused consternation in the Galway defence. First Aiden Nugent palmed in a broken ball and secondly after a fine fetch from Rian O’Neill, and Conor Turbitt subsequently struck to the back of the net.
A somewhat soft free was awarded to Armagh in the ninth minute of added time, but a great kick from their captain O’Neill meant this game was going to extra time. Full time was greeted with ugly scenes as both teams made their way to the dressing rooms.
Initially Galway started the game slowly and Armagh rushed into a three point lead, but the Tribesmen recovered and some fine scores by Matthew Tierney and the impressive Rob Finnerty brought the game level at half time, 0-7 a piece.
Galway started the second half impressively and in the 40th minute Johnny Heaney popped up for his second Championship goal of the year. After a driving run from Tierney his attempt smashed against the crossbar, Dylan McHugh got on the breaking ball and gave a very smart pass back to Tierney who slipped the ball for Heaney to palm in.
Galway took control of the game for the next 30 minutes with the help of a red card for Armagh and led 1-16 to 0-13 as eight minutes of extra time began. The two goals went in and we were getting extra time.
After the scuffle at full time Galway captain Seán Kelly and Armagh’s Nugent were controversially red carded.
Armagh got a third goal at the beginning of the second half of extra time through Rory Grugan after another high ball wasn’t dealt with by the Galway defence.
Almost immediately, however, Galway went up the field and Billy Mannion, making his Championship debut, broke through and passed to Cillian McDaid who struck low and true and into the back of Ethan Rafferty’s net.
Jemar Hall looked to have won it for McGeeney’s side before McDaid once again came to his sides rescue with a cracking point that after 100 minutes plus of football should have been impossible to score.
To penalties it went for the first time in Croke Park. Walsh stepped up first and scored, the same result followed from Damien Comer and Rob Finnerty while Armagh put two wide. Tierney the man with nerves of steel broke Armagh hearts with a fine strike and pandemonium ensued from anyone and everyone in Croke Park with a maroon jersey on.
