Latest news with #ConorTurbitt
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Armagh have scoring power to win battle of champions
They may be complaining of dead rubbers in certain other sports but there's none of that in the All-Ireland Football Championship this weekend, especially not in the fearsome Group 4. The last two All-Ireland champions collide in Croke Park, the first time they've met in championship in Kieran McGeeney's reign. Meanwhile, things could be getting edgy up in Derry, where Galway need a result. I know few enough people saw it but the Armagh-Derry game was a fairly rip-roaring affair. Kieran McGeeney was talking before about how it's nearly impossible to defend in the new game, with all the enhancements brought in to make forwards' lives easier. He probably saw nothing to change his mind last weekend. Armagh were on top for most of the game and with 15 minutes left, it looked like they'd give them a right pasting. Their range of scorers was especially impressive, with Conor Turbitt, Oisín Conaty, Andrew Murnin and Ross McQuillan all clipping over points at will. Derry were headed for a defeat not that dissimilar to their league loss in Armagh a few months ago. Then they hit two goals in a minute and the game took off in another direction entirely. It was a chaotic finish and Derry could have hit a bagful more of goals. You could have driven a fleet of Ulster buses up the middle of the Orchard defence in the last 10 minutes and Derry seemed to make a goal chance every other minute. Brendan Rogers fired so many shots at Rafferty in the second half, he ran out of bullets. For Armagh, it might have been a litle alarming. If you're allowing that much open space in the Athletic Grounds, then Croke Park won't be any more forgiving in that regard. By 66 minutes, the gap was down to four points, which with the two-point arc and a wind behind them was a managable deficit. But Derry missed a late two-point effort and the All-Ireland champions held out. I know Geezer attributed the scare afterwards to the spate of substitutions that were made when the game looked to have been settled. Running the bench can leave you a little shapeless and disjointed if you're not careful or alert. Strange to say, it's up front where Dublin might have issues in this one, especially if Con O'Callaghan hasn't recovered from the injury incurred against Galway. While Armagh have been running up big tallies, the Dubs have been more modest on the scoring side of the ledger and Colm Basquel and Cormac Costello have been pretty wasteful in the last couple of matches. So much hinges on the Cuala man's availability, not just on account of his own brilliance but the minding he takes which allows space for his team-mates. McGeeney has only managed Armagh in two competitive games against the Dubs (and one fairly hot and heavy challenge match, I believe), both of which were in the league. They've won the two of them. With their scoring power, I'd back them to make it three this weekend and take control of the group. The other match in the group has even more riding on it as Galway take on Derry. Whoever loses here could be staring down the barrel of elimination which would be hard to stomach for Galway, given the hype that's surrounded them for much of the summer. We're still waiting for the Derry team of 2022/23 to re-emerge. Zero competitive wins from 10 games in 2025. Have they a scalp in them? They showed a bit of life in the Athletic Grounds, particularly in the attacking sense. We know they have the players. It's a big game for Galway's much-vaunted middle third. They were wiped in the first half he last day. Not alone that, Galway were the only team not to beat Derry in Division 1, after being killed on breaking ball in the second half in Celtic Park. They were lucky enough to scrape a draw in the end. As is often the case with Galway, we're waiting with bated breath for what combination of forwards is named. Padraic Joyce was dropping suggestions the last day that Damien Comer was close to a return but then we won't know until the team is named - and possibly not for a couple of days after that. The outlet he offers could be especially potent against Derry. We saw how he destroyed them in the All-Ireland semi-final a few years ago and they've been conceding goals by the boat-load this year. Considering Galway's attacking depth and Derry's porousness, I'd expect Galway to win but it's a dangerous game. It's potentially a last-chance saloon game for Mayo in Omagh after what has been a fairly turbulent week - my God, was it turbulent... A loss here and it's hard to see them chasing down Donegal in the final round, especially if score difference is in the mix. We all had a shock at the start of the week when news emerged that Kevin McStay had taken ill was and was in hospital. Fortunately, he's recovering, albeit stepping back from the role for a little bit. We're all wishing Kevin the best in his recovery, a man who has given so much to Mayo football as a player and a manager. As he said in his statement, he'll be with the players in spirit this weekend, with Stephen Rochford the man in charge for the trip to Tyrone. On form, you can't make a case for Mayo but in the circumstances, with the emotion of the situation, you wouldn't be that shocked if they pulled something ouf of the fire. Watch Dublin v Armagh in the All-Ireland Football Championship on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Armagh survive late Derry surge to claim home win
Armagh kept their All-Ireland title defence alive after withstanding a late, late comeback from Derry. Played at the Box-It Athletic Ground, the 14,979 fans got their value for money as Armagh raced into a 13-point lead before Derry whittled it back to four points but ran out of time. It means Sunday's clash between Armagh and Dublin in Croke Park will decide who tops the table heading into the last round while Derry are still in search for their first win this season when they welcome Galway to Celtic Park also on Sunday. NI Sports Minister Gordon Lyons was a guest at the Box-It Athletic Grounds but the loudest pre-match cheer came when Rian O'Neill's name was read out as the team was announced over the PA system. The pressure to win the opening game was cranked up following Dublin's narrow win over Galway, last weekend, which in itself indicates just how tight this Group 4 is expected to be. Armagh were boosted with the return of Crossmaglen's Rian O'Neill who made his first return in the Orchard jersey since last year's All-Ireland win. Although it came at a cost as Orchard captain Aidan Forker was ruled out with injury. Derry's young hot-shot Anton Tohill was a late change, getting the nod from manager Paddy Tally ahead of Niall Loughlin. The defending All-Ireland champions had confidently marched into a 13-point lead with second half goals from Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt and they looked to be comfortably inside the winner's enclosure but Derry deserve huge credit for making a fist of it. And the Oak Leafers could have got more from the game had Ethan Rafferty not been in such outstanding form. He denied Brendan Rogers and Tommy Rogers with stunning late saves. Armagh answered any questions about and Ulster Final hangover by marching into an early 0-05 to 0-01 lead. Conor Glass fisted over to open the scoring but Armagh hit back with Rory Grugan, Andy Murnin and Oisin Conaty lashing over three points in as many minutes. Then last year's Young Player of the Year Conaty swung over the first two-pointer of the game The lively Paul Cassidy grabbed his first of three first half points and Ruairi Forbes tagged on another before two points within two minutes from Rian O'Neill, which produced a loud cheer, and Ross McQuillan, which clipped off the inside of the far post. Armagh suffered a blow when Oisin O'Neill gingerly walked off but his replacement Conor Turbitt stroked over a two-pointer to give Armagh a 0-09 to 0-03 lead with 16 minutes gone. It was frantic football as Glass and Grugan traded scores and Darragh McMullan's two-point effort was denied by Derry keeper Ben McKinless, making his first championship start since 2018. A brace of points from Cassidy closed the gap and sparked a fine mini-comeback from the Oak Leafers. Glass, Ethan Doherty and the first from Shane McGuigan were on target to make it a three-point game at the break (0-12 to 0-09). However, Armagh came flying out of the blocks with four points in three minutes to go seven points ahead before Derry managed to get their hands on the ball. McQuillan grabbed his second with Armagh's first attack of the half, then fisted points from Jason Duffy and the impressive Jarly Og Burns followed before Murnin extended the Orchard lead. McCambridge's goal came on 39 minutes after he got a telling fist to Murnin's delivery and while McGuigan's two-pointer lifted Derry's spirits, Conor Turbitt grabbed Armagh's second goal with a tidy finish, with Patrick McGurk hanging out of him. Conaty and McQuillan kept the scoreboard ticking over and Armagh could have been forgiven for thinking about Dublin in Croke Park. But they almost paid the price. A beautiful daisy-cutter from Glass nestled sweetly into the corner of Rafferty's net as the game entered the final ten minutes. Substitute Dan Higgins rattled the Armagh net for Derry's second goal and all of the sudden the Oak Leafers smelt blood as the Orchard creaked. However, time favoured Armagh and top defender Paddy Burns provided a cool head before Joe McElroy bagged an important point for Kieran McGeeney's men as they ran out relieved four-point winners. Armagh: Ethan Rafferty, Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge (1-00), Peter McGrane, Ross McQuillan (0-04), Rian O'Neill (0-01) Jarly Og Burns (0-01), Jason Duffy (0-01), Ben Crealy, Darragh McMullan (0-01), Rory Grugan (0-03, 0-2 free), Oisin Conaty (0-04. 0-1tp ), Tiernan Kelly, Andrew Murnin (0-03), Oisin O'Neill. Subs: Conor Turbitt (1-02, 0-1tp) for O O'Neill (12'), Stefan Campbell for J Duffy (51'), Niall Grimley for R O'Neill (55'), Joe McElroy (0-01) for R Grugan (60'), Greg McCabe for McQuillan (62'), Derry: Ben McKinless, Patrick McGurk, Eoin McEvoy, Diarmuid Baker, Ruairi Forbes (0-01) Brendan Rogers, Padraig McGrogan (0-01, 45'), Conor Glass (1-03) , Conor Doherty, Ciaran McFaul, Paul Cassidy (0-05, 1tp), Ethan Doherty (0-01), Anton Tohill, Shane McGuigan (0-05, 1tp, 1tpf), Niall Toner (0-01, 0-1 free).
Irish Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Armagh push past Ulster final pain to put Derry to the sword
All-Ireland SFC Round One: Armagh 2-21 Derry 2-17 Armagh washed away the pain of that recent Ulster final defeat with a four-point win over a feisty Derry side to complete a successful start to their All-Ireland defence. The home side led by three points at half-time and enjoyed a 13-point advantage by the 57th minute only to see the Oakleaf County stage a creditable late game fightback that fell just short of a surprise result. Kieran McGeeney's side produced 11 scorers, with Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt netting Armagh's goals. Depending on who was bending your ear on any particular day, Derry have been either 'flying in training', handsomely winning challenge games or still struggling with key injuries causing low numbers at training. But the GAA grapevine, of course, can be both a nebulous and unreliable predictor of match day readiness. READ MORE Two weeks on from yet another sickening Ulster final defeat, All-Ireland champions Armagh were certainly much more battle-hardened than a struggling Derry side exiled to Owenbeg for seven weeks to brood and prepare. Undefeated at the Athletic Grounds for over two years, the Orchard men welcomed an Oakleaf outfit who are yet to taste victory all season. Throw in that 15-point beating Armagh threw down on Paddy Tally's side earlier in the season and all signs pointed emphatically in one direction. McGeeney pulled a serious rabbit out of the hat with a shock start for Armagh's prodigal son Rian O'Neill for his first taste of intercounty football this year. Armagh, playing with the breeze ran in three to the good leading 0-12 to 0-9 at the break. Conor Glass, outstanding for Derry, opened the evening's scoring with the first of his three first-half points. Armagh responded emphatically to go 0-5 to 0-1 up by the time Oisin Conaty converted a mighty two-pointer in the 8th minute. Armagh's Ben Crealey is blocked by Derry's Conor Glass. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Derry, culpable for a number of wild wides, would wait 10 minutes before they worked the scoreboard for a second time, when points from Paul Cassidy and Ruairi Forbes, on his debut, reduced their deficit to two. Rian O'Neill announced his welcome return to county colours and elicited the loudest roar of the evening when he split the sticks in the 14th minute. Further points from Ross McQuillan and a two-pointer from substitute Conor Turbitt stretched the Orchard County lead to 0-9 to 0-3 after 17 minutes. With the gun to their temples the Oakleafers rallied again, with another Glass point and a brace from Paul Cassidy, courtesy of two Ethan Doherty assists, left the visitors just four adrift. Again Armagh swung back with Darragh McMullan and Andrew Murnin punishing Derry mistakes and finding their scores. However, trailing 0-12 to 0-6, Derry would finish the half with a real sense of purpose. Glass nailed point number three, before a huge effort from Shane McGuigan and an Ethan Doherty point, with the goal at his mercy, left Paddy Tally's side with skin still in the game, just three behind at half-time. Armagh greeted Derry with a dazzling blitzkrieg straight after the restart, with consecutive points from Ross McQuillan, Jason Duffy, Jarly Og Burns and Andrew Murnin the prelude to Barry McCambridge's 40th minute goal. It all added up to a ten point lead for the All Ireland champions. Appearing all but beaten, Derry fired back with a Shane McGuigan two-pointer keeping their faint hopes alive. However, a rapid fire 1-4 from the hosts, including a dazzling Conor Turbitt goal in the 49th minute amounted to a handsome 13 point advantage for the home side. And with nothing to lose Derry threw any number of haymakers in the final few rounds. Ethan Rafferty pulled off two spectacular saves to deny Brendan Rogers a brace of goals before Glass finally beat the Armagh stopper in the 55th minute. Substitute Dan Higgins then drilled a second goal home on the hour mark as Derry, remarkably, refused to break. Indeed, two-pointers from both Paul Cassidy and Shane McGuigan pulled the Armagh lead back to just four points with time rapidly receding. A third Rafferty save to deny Rogers left a relieved Armagh seeing out the last few seconds on the right side of a four point victory. ARMAGH: E Rafferty, P Burns, B McCambridge (1-0-0), P McGrane, R McQuillan (0-0-4), J Og Burns (0-0-1), J Duffy (0-0-1), B Crealey, D McMullan (0-0-1), R Grugan (0-0-3, 2f), O Conaty (0-1-2), T Kelly, A Murnin (0-0-3), O O'Neill, R O'Neill (0-0-1). Subs: C Turbitt (1-0-2) for O O'Neill (12 mins), S Campbell for J Duffy (51), N Grimley for R O'Neill (55), J McElroy (0-0-1) for R Grugan (60), G McCabe for R McQuillan (62). DERRY: B McKinless, P McGurk, E McEvoy, D Baker, R Forbes (0-0-1), B Rogers, P McGrogan (0-0-1, 1f), C Glass (1-0-3), C Doherty, C McFaul, P Cassidy (0-1-3), E Doherty (0-0-1), A Tohill, S McGuigan (0-2-1), N Toner (0-0-1, 1f). Subs: D Higgins (1-0-0) for A Tohill (38 mins), R Mulholland for P McGurk (53), C Devlin for C McFaul (59), T Rogers for N Toner (61), D McDermott for P McGrogan (66). Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone).
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Armagh edge past spirited Derry in All-Ireland round-robin thriller
Armagh opened their All-Ireland round-robin series with a 2-21 to 2-17 win over Ulster rivals Derry at the Athletic Grounds. The All-Ireland champions led 2-16 to 0-13 midway through the second half thanks to goals from Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt before Conor Glass and Dan Higgins hit the net for Derry cutting the deficit to four. Despite that Derry comeback, Armagh steadied the ship however to secure the victory. The Oak Leafers really struggled on their own kick-out through the first half and this accounted for much of the home side's success, rattling off four scores in a row with Oisin Conaty, Ross McQuillan and Andrew Murnin on target. Rian O'Neill, turning out for his county for the first time since last year's All-Ireland final, also landed a score as Armagh led 0-12 to 0-9 at the break playing with the aid of the breeze. The Orchard County flew out of the blocks in the second half, hitting an unanswered 1-4 in just six minutes, with Murnin's attempt at a point dropping short only to be punched into the net by McCambridge. Derry replied with an effort from Niall Toner before Shane McGuigan landed a two-pointer. The Armagh reply was emphatic, hitting 1-5 in less than 10 minutes, Turbitt burning past Patrick McGurk before rolling to the net to give his side a 13-point lead. It looked like the game was dead and buried before Derry hit two goals inside one minute. Ethan Doherty cut through the heart of the Armagh rearguard before slipping it to Glass who fired an exceptional finish to the roof of the net. Derry claimed possession from the very next kick-out and it was the goal scorer who turned the provider as Glass found Higgins the substitute who rolled the ball low beyond Ethan Rafferty to the net. Paul Cassidy and Shane McGuigan fired over two pointers either side of a Joe McElroy fisted point for the home side as Paddy Tally's men outscored Armagh 2-4 to 0-2 in the final 10 minutes of the game. Glass and McGuigan had two-pointed efforts tail wide at the death as Armagh held out for a vital two points. Next Sunday, Armagh return to Croke Park to take on Dublin in a meeting of Group Four's unbeaten sides. Derry will welcome Galway to Celtic Park with both sides wrestling for their first win of the campaign.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Armagh edge past spirited Derry in All-Ireland round-robin thriller
Armagh opened their All-Ireland round-robin series with a 2-21 to 2-17 win over Ulster rivals Derry at the Athletic Grounds. The All-Ireland champions led 2-16 to 0-13 midway through the second half thanks to goals from Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt before Conor Glass and Dan Higgins hit the net for Derry cutting the deficit to four. Despite that Derry comeback, Armagh steadied the ship however to secure the Oak Leafers really struggled on their own kick-out through the first half and this accounted for much of the home side's success, rattling off four scores in a row with Oisin Conaty, Ross McQuillan and Andrew Murnin on target. Rian O'Neill, turning out for his county for the first time since last year's All-Ireland final, also landed a score as Armagh led 0-12 to 0-9 at the break playing with the aid of the breeze. The Orchard County flew out of the blocks in the second half, hitting an unanswered 1-4 in just six minutes, with Murnin's attempt at a point dropping short only to be punched into the net by McCambridge. Derry replied with an effort from Niall Toner before Shane McGuigan landed a two-pointer. The Armagh reply was emphatic, hitting 1-5 in less than 10 minutes, Turbitt burning past Patrick McGurk before rolling to the net to give his side a 13-point lead. It looked like the game was dead and buried before Derry hit two goals inside one minute. Ethan Doherty cut through the heart of the Armagh rearguard before slipping it to Glass who fired an exceptional finish to the roof of the net. Derry claimed possession from the very next kick-out and it was the goal scorer who turned the provider as Glass found Higgins the substitute who rolled the ball low beyond Ethan Rafferty to the net. Paul Cassidy and Shane McGuigan fired over two pointers either side of a Joe McElroy fisted point for the home side as Paddy Tally's men outscored Armagh 2-4 to 0-2 in the final 10 minutes of the and McGuigan had two-pointed efforts tail wide at the death as Armagh held out for a vital two points. Next Sunday, Armagh return to Croke Park to take on Dublin in a meeting of Group Four's unbeaten sides. Derry will welcome Galway to Celtic Park with both sides wrestling for their first win of the campaign.
