McGurn magic not enough as Fermanagh fall short against Armagh

Fermanagh 1-24 Armagh 2-32

An impressive individual haul of 1-12, all from play, by star man Darragh McGurn wasn’t enough for Fermanagh to end their eight year wait for a win in the Ulster Championship.

Instead, it’s Armagh who march onto the semi-finals of the competition, where they await the winners of tomorrows quarter-final clash between Donegal and Down.

The Orchard County soared 16-points ahead in the first half, with Fermanagh’s lack of efficiency really letting them down inside the opening 35 minutes of action.

Jason Duffy palmed home goal in the first half, following quick hands from Aaron McKay and Ross McQuillan, while Darragh McMullan, Ethan Rafferty (free), Conor Turbitt (free) and McQuillan raised orange flags to give them a 1-17 to 0-4 cushion at the interval.

Ruairi Corrigan: Behind enemy lines

Armagh extended their advantage at the start of the second half with three on the bounce from Cian McConville (free), Jason Duffy and Turbitt before McGurn landed his first of four two-pointers.

A 41st minute goal from Turbitt, set up by Jarly Og Burns, opened up a 20-point gap. McGurn, along with Conor O’Hanlon, who landed a brace of two-pointers himself, kept Fermanagh’s end of the scoreboard ticking.

McGurn rounded off a sensational showing and confirmed his selection as man of the match with a screamer of a goal, but it’s Armagh who advance to the next round and continue their quest for a first Ulster title since 2008.

Armagh: Ethan Rafferty 0-2 (1tpf), Paddy Burns, Aaron McKay, Peter McGrane, Ross McQuillan 0-2 (1tp), Tiernan Kelly 0-3, Jarly Og Burns 0-4, Jason Duffy 1-2, Andrew Murnin, Tomas McCormack, Darragh McMullan 0-2 (1tp), Daniel Magee, Oisin Conaty 0-5, Conor Turbitt 1-6 (1tpf, 1f), Cian McConville 0-2 (1f). Subs: Ciaran Mackin for A. Murnin, Oisin O’Neill 0-4 for C. Turbitt, Ryan Duffy for J. Duffy, Barry McCambridge for T. McCormack.

Fermanagh: Seán McNally, Luke Flanagan, Oisin Smyth, Shane McGullion, Jonathan Cassidy 0-1, Ronan McCaffrey, Declan McCusker , Stephen McGullion, Conor McGee, Sean Cassidy, Ciaran Corrigan, Josh Largo Elis 0-1, Joe McDade 0-1, Darragh McGurn 1-12 (4tp), Garvan Jones 0-1. Subs: Conor Love 0-1 for S. Cassidy, Brandon Horan 0-2 (1tp) for D. McCusker, Conor O’Hanlon 0-4 (2tp) for G. Jones, Mattie McDermott 0-1 for C. Corrigan, Aogan Kelm for C. McGee.