An afternoon of sporting classics, albeit some more localised than others. Armagh have forced their way into the fourth round of the football qualifiers with an extraordinary, come-from-behind win against Clare in the Athletic Grounds.
With four minutes left in normal time, Clare looked to have sealed the game with a goal from David Tubridy's penalty that put them four points clear, 1-15 to 1-11. From there, however, Armagh somehow clawed their way back into the game, and then rattled in a goal in the final minute of normal time to somehow lead as the game entered seven minutes of additional time. From there, Armagh kicked on and kicked all of the remaining scores to win out on a scoreline of 2-14 to 1-18.
It marked an amazing late scoring bust by Armagh: having scored just 0-08 in the first 52 minutes, they kicked 2-6 in the closing quarter of the game.
Here is the best of the online reaction, along with some snaps taken by Sportsfile.
All over in the Athletic Grounds, barnstorming Armagh finish sees them through to last 12, 2-16 to 1-15. Brave Clare just shattered, having led by 4 with minutes to go, just couldn’t see it out, late Armagh tide just washed us away #hardlucklads
— ClarePeople Sport (@claresport) June 30, 2018
Armagh have hit 1-3 without reply - meltdown in the heat from Clare. Can't get the ball beyond half-way now.
— Joe Ó Muirċeartaiġ (@muirioch) June 30, 2018
1-4 without replay by Armagh. They win 2-16 to 1-15.
Disaster, disaster, disaster.— Joe Ó Muirċeartaiġ (@muirioch) June 30, 2018
Holy shit, what a game!
But then I guess what do you expect when Armagh meet Clare?
btw whats happening at the #WorldCup?— Michael Morrow (@MichaelMorrow93) June 30, 2018
The Orchard boys brought in the harvest! 👏👏👏 Brilliant win! 🎉🎆🎇🎊
— Fiona (@KeeverFiona) June 30, 2018
Great comeback by Armagh. Hopefully we will have two great qualifiers with the Cavan and Tyrone and Kildare and Mayo playing later on.
— Beyond the back page (@PADDYDONOHOE) June 30, 2018
Not sure what I’ve just witnessed in the athletic grounds. Criminal performance for the majority of the game but Armagh somehow managed to pull it out of the bag #GAA
— Des Henderson (@desfilmsstuff) June 30, 2018
Gutted, we had the winning of it. Goal shell shocked us. All Armagh after that.
— Eamonn Murphy (@Murf_I_am) June 30, 2018
Gutted for the Clare footballers. Gave it everything. Heroes for so many clare supporters and role models for young players around the county. They will be devestated tonight.
— Joe Hayes (@1JoeH) June 30, 2018
Armagh can't be drawn against Fermanagh again in the next round, so will face either Cork, Roscommon or Laois for a place in the Super 8s. Considering they have lost Stefan Campbell and Jamie Clarke...that's a heck of an achievement.
