Armagh through to All-Ireland quarter-finals with Dublin win

In their second round-robin match at Croke Park, Armagh, the reigning All-Ireland champions, defeated Dublin 0-24 to 0-19 to advance to the quarter-finals.

After a strong second half, Armagh took the lead 0-13 to 0-9 at the break after playing for the first time at Croke Park since beating Galway in last year’s decider.

In the end, the Orchard County’s defensive prowess in the second half paid off with 17 wides.

Con O’Callaghan, a key player who was hurt in the win over Galway last time out, was not with Dublin, who had a strong start at Croke Park.

After the pair exchanged early scores, Cormac Costello was crucial in allowing them to move three points clear in the 17th minute.

However, they struggled to find their way in front of goal halfway through the half.

Armagh were much more clinical at the other end, scoring five points from Dublin’s kickout, despite the Dubs’ 19 shots in the opening period and only nine points from the result.

After 18 minutes, Rory Grugan’s two-pointer from Armagh restored the lead before Jarly Og Burns’ fine solo run and finish leveled the score.

As Orchard County took control of the game, Dublin went 11 minutes without scoring after Stephen Cluxton’s two strong stops denied Oisin Conaty and Andrew Murnin.

On his second start of the year, Rian O’Neill scored a super two-pointer, and Conor Turbitt scored the only other goal to give Kieran McGeeney’s side a lead for the first time.

After the break, Armagh continued to win, and O’Neill scored his second two points to increase their lead.

As Dublin were repeatedly penalized for failing to keep three players up in the first half, which allowed Grugan to score three quick frees, their own downfall persisted.

Before making amends with a fine two-pointer to bring Dublin back within five, Costello missed a two-point lead at the start of the match.

Armagh was steady thanks to Ethan Rafferty and Darragh McMullan, but Sean Bugler’s two-pointer kept the hosts from regaining their composure.

Bugler, Costello, and John Small were all guilty of bolstering Dublin’s wide count, ultimately costing taxpayers.

O’Neill scored his third two-pointer by opening the gap further with a free kick off the field as substitute Stefan Campbell scored.

Another two-pointer from Paddy Small, this time from Paddy Small, was the catalyst for Dublin’s reversal.

The scoreboard was constantly teetered as a substitute, this time Joe McElroy, failed in a desperate attempt to regain control of the game as Armagh escaped defeat.