Derry vs Armagh: Mickey Harte’s men look to bounce back after rocky start to championship
Conor Turbitt of Armagh in action against Christopher McKaigue of Derry. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Derry host Armagh in Celtic Park this afternoon looking to revive their All-Ireland hopes.
Defeats to Donegal in Ulster and Galway last time out means today is an important match for Mickey Harte’s men.
Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh stand in their way and the game gets under way at 4pm.
Derry
0-9
(9)
:
2-8
(14)
Armagh
No holding back.
Sportsfile
One Glen man for another.
Armagh butcher another goal-chance.
They countered at pace through Rian O'Neill, who cut through the heart of the Derry defence again. He passes to Aidan Forker but between himself and Barry McCambridge they mess up the chance and it drifts harmlessly wide. They should have more goals on the board.
They countered at pace through Rian O'Neill, who cut through the heart of the Derry defence again. He passes to Aidan Forker but between himself and Barry McCambridge they mess up the chance and it drifts harmlessly wide. They should have more goals on the board.
Derry are a completely different team here. Ethan Doherty sets the tone with some aggressive tackling by the sideline. They turn the ball over and it comes back to Doherty who is fist-pumping after kicking the ball over the bar.
Three in a row for Mickey Harte's side.
Three in a row for Mickey Harte's side.
Derry have lifted it here.
Diarmuid Baker is fouled as he runs towards the goals and Shane McGuigan takes the free as they begin their comeback. Just six back now.
Diarmuid Baker is fouled as he runs towards the goals and Shane McGuigan takes the free as they begin their comeback. Just six back now.
It's a good start to the half for Derry. Conor Glass gets on the end of a more purposeful move and kicks it over.
David Coldrick restarts the game.
"They're imploding behind us," says Sean Cavanagh.
"They're broken as a team," adds the Tyrone man, "They're looking like a team that's waiting to be put out of their misery."
"They're broken as a team," adds the Tyrone man, "They're looking like a team that's waiting to be put out of their misery."
"Derry look like a busted flush" - Ciaran Whelan.
"It's actually hard to believe, if I'm being honest," The Sunday Game analyst says of Derry's approach.
"They've gone from one extreme game-plan to the other. They're making basic mistakes. It's school-boy stuff for Turbitt's goal."
"But Armagh could have had five goals. Every time they turn the ball over, there's a vulnerability there. Derry look like a busted flush because their offensive game plan is gone to pot as well. Armagh have dominated that half."
"I'd say there's a very interesting conversation going on in that dressing room right now," he added.
"It's actually hard to believe, if I'm being honest," The Sunday Game analyst says of Derry's approach.
"They've gone from one extreme game-plan to the other. They're making basic mistakes. It's school-boy stuff for Turbitt's goal."
"But Armagh could have had five goals. Every time they turn the ball over, there's a vulnerability there. Derry look like a busted flush because their offensive game plan is gone to pot as well. Armagh have dominated that half."
"I'd say there's a very interesting conversation going on in that dressing room right now," he added.
Turbo-charge
1-3 for the Armagh attacker in that first half. He's going to town
1-3 for the Armagh attacker in that first half. He's going to town
Turbo-charge. Sportsfile
As disappointing as this half has been for Derry, it's been brilliant from Armagh.
They're tackling hard, causing turn-overs and then attacking Derry with intent.
Just as they were against Donegal in Ulster, Derry are wide open at the back and they're being counter-attacked at will. The likes of Conor Turbitt, Oisin Conaty and Rian O'Neill are having great joy with the space they're being afforded.
Armagh did have a breeze at their backs but Derry will need to improve if they're toget back into this game.
They're tackling hard, causing turn-overs and then attacking Derry with intent.
Just as they were against Donegal in Ulster, Derry are wide open at the back and they're being counter-attacked at will. The likes of Conor Turbitt, Oisin Conaty and Rian O'Neill are having great joy with the space they're being afforded.
Armagh did have a breeze at their backs but Derry will need to improve if they're toget back into this game.
1-3 from that man in the first half.
He linked up well with Oisin Conaty with a lovely one-two. Turbitt finds himself in space on the edge of the D and calmly slots it over the bar.
He linked up well with Oisin Conaty with a lovely one-two. Turbitt finds himself in space on the edge of the D and calmly slots it over the bar.
Derry caught in possession again as the ball runs over the end-line on Lachlan Murray.
Mickey Harte's team are wide open once more. Armagh are counter-attacking them at will. The ball comes to Barry McCambridge who fists over.
Mickey Harte's team are wide open once more. Armagh are counter-attacking them at will. The ball comes to Barry McCambridge who fists over.
Lachlan Murray drives hard at the Armagh defence and wins a hard-earned free which Shane McGuigan slots over.
Stefan Campbell takes on the creaking Derry defence before turning around and to give the pass back to Forker.
He slices it over off the outside of the boot.
He slices it over off the outside of the boot.
Crucial score for Derry as they bid to get back into this game.
The young defender takes the initiative and strikes a fine point into the breeze from distance.
The young defender takes the initiative and strikes a fine point into the breeze from distance.
Brilliant from Armagh again.
Ben Crealey fetches Odhran Lynch's kick-out and they run at the Armagh defence. They have a three-on-three but Tiernan Kelly is happy to take his point even though the goal was on.
Ben Crealey fetches Odhran Lynch's kick-out and they run at the Armagh defence. They have a three-on-three but Tiernan Kelly is happy to take his point even though the goal was on.
Turbitt wins the free and sails it over himself.
He was fouled by Conor Glass who vents his frustration at referee David Coldrick. Things aren't going Derry's way.
He was fouled by Conor Glass who vents his frustration at referee David Coldrick. Things aren't going Derry's way.
Turbo is cool as ice.
Brendan Rogers is caught in possession with Aaron McKay intercepting. He fists the ball forward to Turbitt and suddenly, with 50 yards of green grass in front of him, there's nobody between him and Odhran Lynch. Rogers eventually gets back to cover in a bid to atone for his error but Turbitt shows great composure to round McKaigue before slipping a shot into the net.
But this is hugely worrying for Derry. They are wide open just like they were against Donegal. It's great for the neutral though, with the game wide open.
Brendan Rogers is caught in possession with Aaron McKay intercepting. He fists the ball forward to Turbitt and suddenly, with 50 yards of green grass in front of him, there's nobody between him and Odhran Lynch. Rogers eventually gets back to cover in a bid to atone for his error but Turbitt shows great composure to round McKaigue before slipping a shot into the net.
But this is hugely worrying for Derry. They are wide open just like they were against Donegal. It's great for the neutral though, with the game wide open.
A trade-mark score from Paul Cassidy.
He was unlucky with his last shot but nails this one from distance and into the breeze. Worrying sign for Derry as Conor Glass was limping for a short while, but he now looks okay.
He was unlucky with his last shot but nails this one from distance and into the breeze. Worrying sign for Derry as Conor Glass was limping for a short while, but he now looks okay.