- 2019
- Armagh 2-17 Monaghan 1-12
- AFTER achieving so much for the county, Malachy O’Rourke’s time with Monaghan came to an end with a whimper, which was unfortunate. They hadn’t been at their best in the round two Qualifier against Fermanagh and they found Armagh’s attacking options too much in the next round. The first half was a shoot-out with Armagh leading by just one at the break, 0-11 to 0-10. Significantly they had played against the breeze. After the interval, Rian O’Neill continued his superb form with a two-goal salvo to bring an end to O’Rourke’s time in Monaghan. Despite the manner of the loss, he departed an Oriel legend. Armagh, meanwhile, would push Mayo all the way in Castlebar the next time out before losing by a point.
- 2014
- Monaghan 1-18 Armagh 1-13
- A CLASSY goal from Conor McManus gave Ulster champions Monaghan the platform to advance to the provincial final in this semi-final replay at Clones. Armagh had notched an early major when Aidan Forker’s effort rebounded off the crossbar and fell to Aaron Findon who made no mistake. McManus, who would finish with 1-7, responded by blasting to the net a couple of minutes before half time to give his side a four-point advantage at the turn. The home side moved further ahead early in the second half but then Armagh showed a bit of fight, just like they had done in the drawn encounter. It was a short-lived burst and Monaghan, having learned their lessons from the week before, were seven points up with 10 minutes remaining. Armagh finished with 14 men as Stefan Campbell was black-carded and they had used all their substitutes.
- 2014
- Monaghan 0-14 Armagh 0-14
- RORY Grugan was the Armagh hero as his late free sealed a late three-point run from the Orchard county that set up an Ulster semi-final replay against the Anglo Celt holders. Monaghan looked like they had done enough as they led 0-14 to 0-11 with only a few minutes remaining but scores from Jamie Clarke, Stefan Campbell and Grugan, who was only taking the free because Aaron Kernan was on the ground writhing in pain, secured a second meeting. It was a good showing from Paul Grimley’s side who were minus the suspended Andy Mallon, Brendan Donaghy and Kieran Toner following the famous parade row with Cavan in the quarter-final.
- 2010
- Monaghan 1-18 Armagh 0-9
- ARMAGH were favourites heading into this, with Monaghan’s build-up dominated by a goalkeeping issue. Shane Duffy was injured, but rather than put in reserve net-minder Sean Gorman, Seamus McEnaney opted for Darren Hughes. Gorman, not surprisingly, left the panel. Scostown man Hughes would have an easy 70 minutes though as Monaghan tore apart their opponents at Casement Park. Paddy O’Rourke’s side actually started well and led 0-4 to 0-1 early on, but it was all downhill from there. A Tommy Freeman goal got Monaghan on their way and Armagh were not helped by Brian Mallon’s first-half dismissal. Freeman was on the scoreboard early in the second half, as was Freeman, Paul Finlay, Ciaran Hanratty and Vinny Corry. Armagh had no response and the Oriel fans had a super day in the Belfast sun as the ‘oles’ rolled around the stadium.
- 2009
- Monaghan 0-13 Armagh 0-12
- THERE was the smell of cordite in the air for this game and a really tense atmosphere around Clones for what would be Peter McDonnell’s last game in charge of Armagh. When stepping down, the Mullaghbawn man spoke of forces “undermining” the management. Monaghan started well but were missing the suspended Tommy Freeman – a late DRA appeal failing – and they trailed 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. Paul Finlay did bring them back level in the second half and the sides went score for score. Monaghan were ahead late on when Stevie McDonnell was sent off, but Stefan Forker nailed a free to force extra-time. The additional 20 minutes produced very few scores, but Monaghan got through by the minimum.
- 2006
- Armagh 1-13 Monaghan 0-10
- A FIRST-HALF goal from Brian Mallon gave Armagh the base to win this Ulster quarter-final replay at St Tiernach’s Park. Monaghan only managed 10 points in the drawn game, but they raced into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead and looked sharp. The Orchard started to motor though and Kieran McGeeney, playing in midfield, set up Mallon for a goal and the holders led 1-5 to 0-6 at the break. Monaghan competed well in the third quarter to stay in touch, but Armagh opened up from there, with Oisin McConvile proving deadly accurate from free-kicks.
- 2006
- Armagh 0-10 Monaghan 0-10
- PAUL Finlay’s late free in the rain earned Monaghan a draw with Ulster holders Armagh in the 2006 quarter-final. It was a low-scoring affair, but the Oriel men showed great heart to nab the last three scores and force a second outing. Malachy Mackin scored Armagh’s opener in the second minute, but their second point wouldn’t come for another 27 minutes through Oisin McConville. They quickly tagged on three more to lead 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval, and they hit four of the first five points of the second half to take a commanding lead into the final quarter. They would only score once more though with substitute Hugh McElroy, Stephen Gollogly and Finlay raising late white flags to force a replay. Monaghan did lose Gary McQuaid to a second booking in the final moments of the game.
- 2004
- Armagh 2-19 Monaghan 0-10
- HAVING suffered a shock loss to Monaghan the previous year, Armagh took out their frustrations in fine fashion with a brilliant display of attacking football in this provincial quarter-final. Armagh raced into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead and it could have been even better with the upright denying Marty O’Rourke a goal. Their three-pointer did arrive half an hour in though as Stevie McDonnell drove to the net, and when Ronan Clarke added another minutes later the contest was over. Monaghan trailed by 11 at the break but with McDonnell and O’Rourke excelling, they were never able to even think of a comeback.
- 2003
- Monaghan 0-13 Armagh 0-9
- ONE of the great Ulster Championship days for seemingly no-hopers Monaghan as they deservedly got the better of All-Ireland champions Armagh. A certain Paul Finlay made his debut and he couldn’t miss in Clones as he nailed frees from all angles. The victory for Colm Coyle’s side was even better when you consider that they lost Damien McArdle to a red card early in the second half. Armagh lost Andy McCann to a red card late on too, but by then Monaghan were already on the winning trail with the Orchard county left to rue an open net miss by Stevie McDonell in the first half. They did respond by returning to the All-Ireland final though.
- 2001
- Armagh 2-12 Monaghan 0-10
- MONAGHAN’S first-ever All-Ireland Qualifier was against Armagh, and it would be a losing start in Clones. Jack McCarville’s side had competed well in the first half but missed some good opportunities to trail 1-4 to 0-3 at the break – John Toal with the Orchard goal. Armagh were dominant in the second half though with Stevie McDonnell’s goal giving them a big advantage. Tony McEntee was sent off late on and Monaghan tagged on a few scores, but the game was long dead by that stage.