Armagh player ratings
Ethan Rafferty
Great save from Cassidy in the shootout and scored two points from play. Played a clever pass for Rory Grugan’s mark at the end of normal time which could have won the title. 7.5
Conor O’Neill
Has now registered a point in his last three Championship appearances for Armagh. Tasked with marking Niall Toner and held him scoreless from play. 7.5
Aaron McKay
Had spells on Niall Loughlin and Benny Heron and did well on both players. Perhaps could have done better for Derry’s goal. 6.5
Aidan Forker
Booked for a foul on Ethan Doherty in the second half and kicked one poor wide minutes later. However, the Maghery clubman also played some fine passes as Armagh brought the fight to Derry in the second half, but he didn’t feature in extra-time. 6.5
Ciaran Mackin
Hit an inspirational point in the second half to kickstart the Armagh challenge and was also tasked with picking up Brendan Rogers who bossed the first half. Broke even with the Slaughtneil man which is no mean feat. 8
Greg McCabe
Took his mark well in the first half, but wasn’t as effective in the second half. Operated as a sweeper was left exposed on a few occasions. 6
Jarly Óg Burns
Was fouled by Rogers for the free which brought the game to extra-time. Also kicked two points himself and kept Paul Cassidy scoreless. 8.5
James Morgan
Had a spell on Ethan Doherty before being moved on to Shane McGuigan. Committed a number of fouls on the Derry ace in the second half and two scoreable frees were converted. 6
Shane McPartlan
The young midfielder has been excellent in previous games, but struggled to make an impact in Sunday’s decider. Gave Rogers far too much space for his second point and was replaced 10 minutes into the second half. 5
Jason Duffy
Plenty of effort from the Cullyhana man. He won a fair amount of possession in the middle third, yet wasn’t able to shake the attention of Conor Doherty and failed to score. 6
Barry McCambridge
A late call-up as a man-marker for McGuigan, Barry McCambridge’s lack of game time counted against him. He’ll be a key player in the All-Ireland series when back to full fitness. 5.5
Rory Grugan
Rarely has an off day for Armagh. However, Sunday’s Ulster Final was one of those days for Grugan. Kicked two frees but was booked early on and wasn’t able to wield his usual influence on the game. Was brought back on after being subbed and dropped a late mark short. 5.5
Andrew Murnin
Came into the Ulster Final as an injury doubt and, perhaps, wasn’t 100 per cent fit. Kicked one wide in the first half and was turned over twice in the second half before being replaced. 6
Rian O’Neill
Kicked three wides and had his penalty saved by Odhran Lynch in the shootout. Yet, without Rian O’Neill, Sunday’s Ulster Final would have been a one-sided win for Derry. Almost single-handedly dragged Armagh into the contest and scored 0-6 in his best display of the season. 8.5
Conor Turbitt.
Held scoreless for the second successive game, Turbitt’s form has dipped at a time when Armagh needed it to continue. Kicked two poor wides in the first half. 5
Subs
Stefan Campbell: Was named to start, but had to bide his time before a brilliant display in the second half. Scored two superb points and was fouled for O’Neill’s last-gasp free to bring the game to penalties. 7
Aidan Nugent: Introduced in the second half for Shane McPartlan, but couldn’t make any impact against the brilliant Eoin McEvoy. 5
Ross McQuillan: Gave Armagh the lead for the first time in the game with his point in the opening stages of extra-time. 6.5
Oisin Conaty: On for the closing 10 minutes of normal time, but didn’t make an impact. 5
Callum Cumiskey: Was Armagh’s only successive penalty-taker in the shootout. 6
Connaire Mackin: Introduced for his brother Ciaran who tied up with cramp in extra-time. 5
Derry player ratings
Odhran Lynch
Slipped as he attempted a shot in the first half, but his restarts were excellent. Made three stunning saves in the shootout. 8
Chrissy McKaigue
Had spells on Murnin, O’Neill and Turbitt on a busy afternoon for the former skipper. Nothing fazed him. 7.5
Eoin McEvoy
It is remarkable to think that Eoin McEvoy played MacRory Cup football last year. Held Murnin scoreless, making two brilliant interceptions in an assured performance at full-back. 8.5
Conor McCluskey
Not as involved in attack as much as previous outings, but McCluskey didn’t put a foot wrong in his defensive duties. 7
Conor Doherty
Tasked with picking up Jason Duffy, Doherty edged their battle with the Cullyhana man failing to score. 7.5
Gareth McKinless
Might have went for goal when played through by Loughlin, but opted to fist the ball over the bar. Worked hard around the middle third and tracked back well. 7
Padraig McGrogan
Not one of McGrogan’s better games for Derry. Scored a point against Fermanagh and two against Monaghan, but hit three wides against Armagh including one wild effort in extra-time. 5.5
Conor Glass
Another fine display from the Derry skipper. Does the simple things well and broke forward to get on the end of McGuigan’s pass to score a well-taken point in the second half. 8
Brendan Rogers
Was Man-Of-Match in last year’s final and looked odds-on for the award again when hitting 1-2 from play in the first half. Took one for the team when hauling down Jarly Óg Burns, but his black card didn’t cost his side. 8
Benny Heron
Worked hard in the first half and tried to drag Aidan Forker out of postion. Didn’t score himself and was replaced before being brought on against in extra-time. 6
Paul Cassidy
Dropped a shot short in the first half with Rogers salvaging the effort by fisting the ball into the net. Missed a penalty in the shootout. 6
Ethan Doherty
By his own ridiculously high standards, Ethan Doherty had a quiet Ulster Final. Still managed to have a hand in two scores for his side though. 6.5
Niall Toner
Converted two frees for Derry and had a hand in two others. Broke even in his battle against Conor O’Neill. 6.5
Shane McGuigan - Star Man
A hat-trick of Man-of-the-Match awards for Shane McGuigan. Found space hard to come by against McCambridge early on, but soon cut lose. Finished with 0-7, o-4 from play and his free in the second period of extra-time was stunning. 9
Niall Loughlin
Was on target after 22 seconds of the second half. Dropped deep as an extra defender for much of the game. 6.5
Subs
Ciaran McFaul: It wasn’t a surprise Ciaran McFaul was Derry’s first sub. Smashed the winning penalty beyond Ethan Rafferty to seal Derry’s victory. 7
Lachlan Murray: Took the sensible option and his fisted point looked to have sealed the win in extra-time before O’Neill’s free. 6.5
Padraig Cassidy: A bad pass led to Brendan Rogers taking down Burns and picking up a black card. 5
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