Armagh win Athletic Grounds battle

Armagh 2-14 Tyrone 0-14

The expected intensity from today's Ulster derby between Armagh and Tyrone was mostly missing from a somewhat one-sided game.. that was until several players got involved in a period of rough and tumble near the end.
It resulted in four members of the Red Hand outfit being sent to the dugout out along with Armagh's Gregory McCabe (pictured).
Fans were left wondering had this ever happened before. Well-known Ulster referee Ollie Hearty had never seen the likes of it, saying, "I have been referring a long time and never seen four players being sent off at the same time."
With the pitch looking a lot bigger in the closing stages, Armagh closed out the game to win on a score line of 2-14 to 0-14, but the damage was done in the opening period with goals from Greg McCabe on a run from full back and a second from Jason Duffy who also found the net against the Dubs last time out.
Lurgan man Tiernan Kelly was also on the scoresheet in a comprehensive performance, before being hauled ashore for Stefan Campbell following a yellow card.
In the scuffles, Tyrone's Padraig Hampsey, Kieran McGeary, Peter Harte and Michael McKiernan all saw red along with Armagh's McCabe. The disciplinary hearing no doubt will be interesting.
One again Rangers' Rian O'Neill stood out to bring credence to a superb outing from the defence, on a day where swirling winds, the cold and the odd hail storm kept the fans numbed until the late bout of madness had the fans on their feet and referee David Gough throwing cards around like confetti.
Armagh, who were fancied for relegation along with Kildare and Monaghan -who they meet in a fortnight - are top of Division 1.
However, team boss McGeeney asked the fans not to be caried away.
He said, "It's early days, and only February.
"It's great to see a full house and the supporters back. The community has been through a lot, but its a good start but only that, we have a long way to go and a lot of tough hurdles before the summer."
Although it is early days the Orchard side, who were sporting a smart black kit, look defensively very impressive.
It's Monaghan next in a fortnight, but Armagh have turned the league on its head - albeit in February.