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Armagh returned to the top flight of the Allianz National Leagues for the first time since 2012 after finally shaking off Clare’s stubborn challenge at Cusack Park, Ennis.
Despite holding the hand of the whip for the majority and even leading by seven points in one stage, Armagh eventually staggered down the stretch.
Crucially though, Kieran McGeeney’s team never hit the panic button and duly finished with the last five points to secure the points and promotion to Division 1 for 2021.
On the other hand, a disappointing finish for hosts Clare was relieved by the fact that they still consolidated their Division 2 status through their head-to-head victory over Cavan in March after finishing on level points with Breffni’s team. .
It was the visitors who set the pace early on when they surprised their opponents napping after just two minutes when Rory Grugan’s quick free over the top chose the unmarked Callum Cumiskey. The Crossmaglen man kept his cool to surround goalkeeper Eamonn Tubridy and set the net flying.
It seemed like the perfect confidence boost as additional support from Rian O’Neill and Rory Grugan brought Armagh to a 1-06 band to 0-02 in the 16th minute.
Clare regrouped on the breakwater and unsurprisingly would return to the fray by attacking seven of the next eight points, four from Captain Eoin Cleary, to minimize the deficit by halftime, 1-07 to 0-09.
Scoring opportunities at each end for Cathal O’Connor and backup Greg McCabe were overlooked before Cian O’Dea gave Clare a lifeline in the 48th minute with an opportunistic goal to annihilate another fast start for Armagh in 1-11 to 1-10. .
Armagh held out twice, but Rian O’Neill and Jamie Clarke’s points were matched by Cleary’s free kicks before Keelan Sexton regained parity in the 60th minute.
With the match delicately prepared, it was Oisin O’Neill who finally made the breakthrough in the 65th minute with a pair of points before Grugan, substitute Jarlath Óg Burns and Rian O’Neill completed a first victory for Armagh in more than seven. months.
Backed by his advancement to the top tier, Armagh’s attentions shift to an Ulster Championship showdown with Derry next Sunday at Celtic Park, the same day Clare faces Tipperary in the Munster equivalent.
Armagh: Blaine Hughes, Aidan Forker, Ryan Kennedy, Paddy Burns, Stephen Sheridan (0-01), Mark Shields, James Morgan, Niall Grimley, Rian O’Neill (0-06, 0-04f, 0-01’45), Rory Grugan (0-03), Callum Cumiskey (1-00), Conor O’Neill (0-01), Jamie Clarke (0-01), Oisin O’Neill (0-03, 0-01m), Jason Duffy ( 0-01).
Subs: Greg McCabe for M Shields (34mins), Stefan Campbell (0-01) for Duffy (ht), Jarlath Óg Burns (0-01) for C Cumiskey (41mins), Cathal McKenna for Grimley (50mins), Conor Turbitt for Clarke ( 64 minutes).
Clare: Eamonn Tubridy, Gordon Kelly, Cillian Brennan, Eoghan Collins, Alan Sweeney, Aaron Fitzgerald, Pearse Lillis, Cathal O’Connor, Gary Brennan (0-01), Jamie Malone (0-01), Eoin Cleary (0-08, 0 -06f), Ciaran Russell, Keelan Sexton (0-03, 0-01f, 0-01’45), Joe McGann, Cian O’Dea (1-00).
Subs: Sean Collins for A Fitzgerald (44mins), David Tubridy for C Russell (44mins), Podge Collins for J McGann (58mins), Kevin Harnett for E.Collins (67mins), Gearoid O’Brien for C O’Connor (70).
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary).
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