Armagh see off Galway to lift Sam Maguire for the second time

Armagh 1-11 Galway 0-13

Armagh are All-Ireland football champions for the first time since 2002 after squeezing out Galway in Croke Park.

Kieran McGeeney's side struck for the decisive match-winning goal after 48 minutes when full-back Aaron McKay punched a point attempt from sub Stefan Campbell into the net. That made it 1-9 to 0-10 and while the Orchard only managed another two points across the rest of the game, which included seven minutes of injury time, it was sufficient.

They defended with discipline and composure and should have actually wrapped up the victory twice in stoppage time when they squandered counter-attacks with options left and right. It took a diving block from Joe McElroy on Paul Conroy, who had landed 0-3 from midfield, in the last play to deny the Tribe extra time.

Galway didn't get enough from marquee forwards Shane Walsh, outside of one trademark gem from play, and Damien Comer. They had a series of poor wides in the last quarter where the pressure of avoiding a second All-Ireland final loss in three seasons clearly told.

It was an astonishing triumph for Armagh, considering they hadn't been to the last four since 2005 or the final in 21 years, and had endured a series of cruel losses in Ulster finals and in penalty shootouts.

After the mayhem of the All-Ireland hurling, the first half in Croker was an altogether more measured affair. There were some lovely points clipped between the posts but no wild passages of play to electrify the sell-out crowd. 

However, it was tight and enthralling, Armagh that small bit more fluid from play, though both counties were guilty of missing placed balls at key stages. It was a similar sceál in the second half, with the green flag the only thing to separate the sides when Sean Hurson sounded the final whistle.

Óisín Conaty's contribution of three points from play was significant given this was balanced on a knife edge though Rian O'Neill curled over the score of the game. It was a collective effort from McGeeney's troops, with Kerry legend Kieran Donaghy also making a major contribution as a coach.

Scorers for Armagh: O Conaty 0-3, A McKay 1-0, B Crealey 0-2, A Forker, B McCambridge, R O’Neill, T Kelly, N Grimley, O O’Neill 0-1 each.

Galway: P Conroy, C Darcy 0-3 each, S Walsh (0-1 f), C McDaid 0-2 each, L Silke, R Finnerty (f), J Maher 0-1 each.

ARMAGH: B Hughes; B McCambridge, A McKay, P Burns; C Mackin, T Kelly, A Forker (c); N Grimley, B Crealey; O Conaty, R O’Neill, J McElroy; R Grugan, A Murnin, C Turbitt.

Subs: S Campbell for C Turbitt, R McQuillan for T Kelly (both 46), O O’Neill for R Grugan (inj 51), J Burns for C Mackin (59), J Duffy for A Forker (75).

GALWAY: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; D McHugh, L Silke, S Ó Maoilchiaráin; P Conroy, J Maher; M Tierney (c), C Darcy, C McDaid; R Finnerty, D Comer, S Walsh.

Subs: J Heaney for R Finnerty (inj 11), S Kelly for J Glynn (45), T Culhane for D Comer, D O’Flaherty for M Tierney (both 66), K Molloy for J Heaney (75).

Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone).