Armagh ratings
Ethan Rafferty
His kickouts were excellent and he landed a long-range free in the second half. Was troubled a few times when Antrim went direct to full-forward Ruairi McCann, but could do little with Conor Stewart’s excellent finish. 6.5
James Morgan
Thrown in for his first start of the season and slipped seamlessly back into the heart of the Armagh defence. Kept Ryan Murray scoreless, but was also booked for a rash tackle on Ruairi McCann. 7
Aaron McKay
Had a fine battle with Antrim’s Ruairi McCann. The Armagh full-back had a fairly easy time of it in the first half when Antrim ran into traffic, but McCann was more of a threat when the Saffrons went direct. 7
Aidan Forker
Started on Pat Shivers and moved on to Patrick Finnegan in the second half. Got the better of both duels and rarely wasted a ball. 7.5
Ciaran Mackin
Landed a trademark point with the outside of the boot and supported the Armagh attack well. Also kept Paddy McBride scoreless. 7.5
Greg McCabe
Creggan’s Ruairi McCann caused McCabe a few headaches. Especially towards the end of the first half. However, the Antrim attacker was restricted to one point from a free and McCabe can be pleased with his evening’s work. 7
Barry McCambridge
Seems to be growing in confidence with every game and wasn’t fazed by the move out to wing-back. Colm McLarnon was the first man replaced on the Antrim team. 7.5
Ben Crealey
Like Morgan, acquitted himself well despite making his first start of 2023. The Maghery clubman has been unfortunate with injuries in recent times, but will be a huge asset for the Kieran McGeeney if he can remain fit and healthy. 7.5
Shane McPartlan
Narrowly edged out by Conor Turbitt for Man-of-the-Match. Scored four excellent points from play in a Championship debut to remember. Also set up Turbtitt for an excellent point late on. 8.5
Stefan Campbell
Scored Armagh’s last point of the first half, but it was to be his only score in the contest. Was put on the backfoot by Marc Jordan and will hope for a better showing against Cavan. 6.5
Rory Grugan
Another classy display from the Armagh centre forward. Scored two points from play and had a hand in another handful. Fought tirelessly for brakes around the middle third all evening long. 8
Jason Duffy
Failed to score himself and was denied a goal by a wonderful save from Antrim goalkeeper Michael Byrne. Won a free which Grugan converted and enjoyed a fine battle with Eoghan McCabe. 6.5
Jemar Hall
Possibly the busiest man on the pitch on Saturday evening. Jemar Hall’s GPS stats must have been off the charts as he seemed to cover every blade of grass and scored a cracking point from play as well. 8
Conor Turbitt - Star-man
In the absence of Rian O’Neill and Andrew Murnin, Armagh needed someone to step up to the mark and Conor Turbitt delivered in spades. Had Joe Finnegan, Eoghan McCabe and Peter Healy for company at various stages of Saturday’s game, but still managed to score 0-8, including four from play. 9
Tiernan Kelly
His unselfish decoy runs helped create space for Conor Turbitt in the first half. Seemed even better when given licence to roam out to the middle third where his pace and power caused havoc. 7
Substitutes
Ross McQuillan: Introduced for Morgan for the final 20 minutes and played well. 6.5
Stephen Sheridan: Came on for Ben Crealey for the final quarter and won a few breaks. 6.5
Aidan Nugent: The Armagh joint-captain got some valuable game time in his legs before the quarter-final meeting with Cavan. 5.5
Cian McConville: Not on long enough to be rated.
Ciaran Higgins: Not on long enough to be rated.
Antrim ratings
Michael Byrne
Make a great save to deny Jason Duffy in the first half. Struggled to find an Antrim jersey at periods in the second half when Armagh dominated midfield and one poor pass led to a point for Stefan Campbell. 6.5
Eoghan McCabe
Pitted against Jason Duffy, the St Gall’s defender had a couple of nervous moments early on. Grew in confidence as the game wore on and kicked one of the best points of the game late in the first half. 6
Peter Healy
The Antrim captain was in the wars on Saturday and was on the receiving end of some big hits. Operated as a sweeper early on and also had a spell on the lively Conor Turbitt. 6.5
James McAuley
Marked Rory Grugan and Tiernan Kelly at various times during Saturday’s Ulster SFC opener. Fared reasonably well, but also caught in possession a few times. Kicked a cracking point in the second half. 6
Patrick McCormick
A mixed bag from the Moneyglass clubman. Looked dangerous going forward and was able to break the lines, but struggled with the pace and movement of the Armagh half forwards. 5.5
Joseph Finnegan
The big St Brigid’s clubman has had an excellent season for Antrim, but couldn’t lay a glove on the excellent Conor Turbitt. Wasn’t able to break forward and the Saffrons lacked that attacking threat from deep. 5.5
Marc Jordan
Antrim’s best player on a tough afternoon for the Saffrons. Seemed to be fired up after a body check from Ben Crealey after the pre-match parade and carried the fight to Armagh all evening. Helped set up Conor Stewart’s goal in the second half. 7.5
Conor Stewart
Plundered 1-1 from play which was impressive considering Antrim were second best in the midfield sector. Guilty of a few rash shots, but battled gamely throughout. 7
Kevin Small
The Creggan clubman was clearly some way off full match sharpness on Saturday and he’ll benefit from the game time. 5.5
Colm McLarnon
Not the Championship debut the St Paul’s clubman would have been hoping for. Failed to impose himself on the game and made a few handling errors and was replaced before half-time. 5
Ruairi McCann (Creggan)
A slow start from the Creggan ace, but he came into the game more in the second half. Landed one point from a free, but kicked a wide and dropped another short as Antrim squandered chances in the first half. 6
Paddy McBride
Kicked two wides in the first half and got little change out of an in-form Ciaran Mackin. Fought on against the odds before being called ashore midway through the second half. 6
Pat Shivers
Like a number of his colleagues, looked in trouble early on and he struggled to find space against a packed Armagh defence. Much improved after the break and took his point well. 6.5
Ruairi McCann
Scored a point, but might have had a goal were it not for a last-ditch deflection. Antrim should have gone direct much earlier than they did as McCann is a handful for any defender. 6.5
Ryan Murray
Was a gamble to start the Lámh Dhearg attacker and it didn’t pay off. Will be much more influential when back to full fitness in the Tailteann Cup. 5
Substitutes
Patrick Finnegan
Hit a great pass inside to set up Ruairi McCann for a goal chance early in the second half. 6.5
Odhran Eastwood: Was rewarded with a point in stoppage-time, but the game was gone from Antrim by the time he was introduced. 6
Adam Loughran: Missed a glorious goal chance. Looked lively when introduced. 5.5
Dominic McEnhill: On for the closing 10 minutes, but was unable to turn the tide. 5
Jack Dowling: Not on long enough to be rated.
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