The reigning champions are out of the All-Ireland series.
The Athletic Grounds were turned into a coliseum for the day, while Armagh and Tyrone played the roles of gladiators as the packed crowd bayed for blood.
They got what they wanted as the two teams emptied themselves to try and survive this year’s 2022 All-Ireland championship, but in the end Armagh were the victors.
It was Tyrone who struck first blood, getting a goal in the opening three minutes thanks to Conor McKenna, but it didn’t take long for Armagh to respond as Aidan Nugent found the net at the other end not too long after.
The men in orange just brought an intensity and fluidity that has escaped the Red Hands this season, and even with their strong bench which saw Kieran McGeary, Cathal McShane and Richie Donnelly enter the fray, they could never find a decent run of form.
Rian O’Neill lead the line up front, but Stefan Campbell was a constant thorn in the reigning champions defence, as they took all of their chances.
Incredibly, Ethan Rafferty, the former forward turned goalkeeper, turned himself into a forward again, kicking two incredible scores from play.
Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty can pop up anywhere, as Tyrone are discovering to their cost.
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Beforehand, many would have expected Niall Morgan to be the one making marauding runs through the middle of the pitch, but Rafferty has proven that he could play just about anywhere.
A black card for Richie Donnelly completely took any sting out Tyrone’s bite and Armagh never really looked like giving up their lead.
From that point on it was a series of easy fouls, as Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan’s men were almost trying too hard to get possession back, and gave the referee easy decisions to make.
Ultimately, this means there will be a new All-Ireland champion come the end of the season, as the defending winners have officially exited the competition, in what can only be described as a bitterly disappointing campaign.
It’s important to note that the Armagh players seemed to be fighting for their manager, Kieran McGeeney, who has come under pressure recently following his side’s early exit from the Ulster championship.
Progressive league campaigns, but poor championship runs have always been the stick that beats the former All-Ireland winning captain, so to get this triumph under his belt will be a huge lift for him and his coaching staff.
They now go into the draw, where they could face Roscommon, Kildare, Donegal or Limerick.
