Armagh ratings
Ethan Raffery
Kickouts were excellent and he looked assured under the high ball. Didn’t attack up the pitch as often as in previous outings. 7.5
Conor O’Neill
Scored a point from play for the second game in succession and looked composed in defence as he restricted Liam Kerr to one point. 7.5
Aaron McKay
Another Armagh defender who is enjoying a fine season, Aaron McKay minded the house when his colleagues broke forward and Down never got in for a goal. 7.5
Aidan Forker
Kicked some excellent passes and scored one point from play. Got the better of the imposing Pat Havern, who only scored one from play. 8
Ciaran Mackin
Quite possibly his best game in an Armagh jersey. Was in the right place at the right time to score his side’s third goal but also kept Eugene Branagan quiet. 8.5
Greg McCabe
A contender for Man-of-the-Match. Greg McCabe marshalled the Armagh defence superbly well throughout. 8.5
Jarly Óg Burns
It was a surprise to see him picking up Ryan Johnston, but it proved to be a masterstroke by the Armagh management as the Kilcoo attacker only scored one point. 8
Ben Crealey
Looked to be disappointed when he was called ashore before half-time, perhaps after picking up a knock. 6
Shane McPartan
Was excellent against Antrim and returned to that kind of form on Sunday. Showed great skill to bury his side’s second goal and fought well in the middle third. 8.5
Jason Duffy
Scored two points from play, but might have ended with 2-2 with a bit more luck. Hugged the sidelines before cutting in behind time and time again and got the better of Miceal Rooney. 8
Jemar Hall
Starting to contribute to the scoresheet on a more regular basis and chipped over a point from play before being replaced for the final 20 minutes. 6.5
Rian O’Neill
Back in the starting team for the first time since the round six loss to Galway and got the better of Niall McPartland in the second half and took his goal brilliantly. 7.5
Rory Grugan
One pointed free, but Grugan was involved in a number of other scores. Also made sure Danny Magill wasn’t able to get forward as often for Down. 7
Andrew Murnin - Star Man
When he is fit, he is one of Armagh’s best players. Scored 1-1 and had a hand in a host of other scores and won three kickouts when moved out to the middle third. Armagh fans will be hoping he recovers from a knock to line-out against Derry. 9
Conor Turbitt
On a day when Armagh scored 4-10, it was surprising Conor Turbitt never raised a flag. Pierce Laverty kept a close rein on the Armagh ace who was replace for the final 10 minutes. 5.5
Subs:
Connaire Mackin: Introduced for Ben Crealey just before half-time and worked hard in the middle third. 6.5
Ross McQuillan: On for the final 20 minutes and was composed in possession. 6
Stefan Campbell: Had a point to prove and put himself back in contention for a start in the Ulster Final by scoring a point and setting up another two. 7
Aidan Nugent: Like Campbell, he’ll want to start against Derry and he hit a stunning point when introduced. 6.5
Callum Cumiskey: Took his point well when brought on for Ciaran Mackin late on. 6
Down ratings
Niall Kane
Perhaps could have done better for Andrew Murnin’s goal, but didn’t have much of a chance with the other three. Had 100 per cent accuracy from his own kickouts. 6.5
Pierce Laverty
Given the task of marking Conor Turbitt, who hit 0-15 in the previous wins over Antrim and Cavan. Kept Turbitt scoreless before picking up Aiden Nugent late on. 7.5
Shane Annett
Was a late call up for the second week running, but Shane Annett struggled to get to grips with the pace and power of the Armagh attack and was replaced after 40 minutes. 5.5
Miceal Rooney
Picked up Jason Duffy and struggled to get close to the Cullyhana clubman, who scored two excellent points from play, but also crashed two shots off the crossbar. 6
Danny Magill
Had a fine tussle with the experienced Rory Grugan. Probably did enough to break even, but wasn’t able to use his pace to aid the Down attack as much as he did against Donegal. 6.5
Niall McParland
Kept close tabs on Rian O’Neill in the first half, albeit picked up a yellow card for an off-the-ball clash. However, O’Neill’s influence was telling in the second half and he was burned for the goal. 6
Daniel Guinness
Deployed as a sweeper in the early stages and made a few great interceptions. Kicked one bad wide, but the Carryduff clubman put in a solid shift for Down. 7
Ryan McEvoy
Named at midfield once again. However, the Kilcoo ace was given a man-marking job on Sunday and he came off second-best against the brilliant Andrew Murnin. Converted two late frees when the game was gone. 5
Ceilum Doherty
A fine footballer for club and county, Ceilum Doherty had a bad day at the office on Sunday and didn’t exert his usual influence. 5
Ryan Johnston
Landed Down’s first point from play after 30 minutes and it was a classy score. However, Johnston couldn’t shake off Jarly Óg Burns and one point was all he could muster. 6
Liam Kerr
Scored one point from play, but missed a couple of other chances, including a free and was well marked by Conor O’Neill. 6
Patrick Branagan
A late replacement for Donach McAleenan and dropped back as an extra defender. Took his point well. 6.5
Pat Havern
Scored 0-6, but only one from play. Tried hard and took on some ambitious shots, yet it didn’t click for Havern against a well-drilled Armagh defence. 6.5
Eugene Branagan
Was perhaps a little unlucky to find himself in the referee’s notebook so early in the game when Armagh avoided a booking moments earlier for a similar tackle. Didn’t make an impact before being replaced early in the second half. 5
Subs
Andrew Gilmore: Kicked a good point and looked lively when introduced and will hope to see more game time in the Tailteann Cup. 6.5
Shealan Johnston: Like Gilmore, his pace caused Armagh a few problems late on and he won a free which Ryan McEvoy converted. 6.5
Donach McAleenan: Brought on for the closing 20 minutes, but failed to make an impact. 5
Ross Carr: In for the final quarter, but the game was already gone from Down by that stage. 5
Eamon Brown: Introduced for Poland for the final 10 minutes, but struggled to get involved. 5
READ NEXT:
- Recap as Armagh power past Down to book an Ulster SFC Final date with Derry
- GAA world in shock as spectator passes away during Limerick v Clare Munster Hurling match
- Derry vs Monaghan: Player ratings from Saturday's Ulster SFC semi-final
- Recap as champions Derry book their place in the Ulster SFC Final with facile win over Monaghan
- Tyrone Club Championship draws 2023: Holders Errigal pitted against Killyclogher
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
