Armagh 0-16 Tyrone 0-19
Fireworks crackled around the Athletic Grounds at full time to celebrate a brilliant charity event.
For once, and perhaps the first time ever in an Armagh and Tyrone game, the result didn’t matter.
Family and community were the most important things on Friday evening and they made for a very special night.
The sides locking horns to raise funds to help build the Playpark in memory of James Reel, who sadly passed away in April.
The crowd of nearly 5,000, the atmosphere and the fireworks all pointed to an extremely well organised and planned event.
As expected, football wasn’t the only entertainment on show. The kids got to witness Santa Claus himself, while the adults caught a glimpse of the Sam Maguire!
Padraig Hampsey, Tyrone’s All-Ireland winning captain, led out his men to a guard of honour from their Armagh counterparts.
Action time
Rocking the new Time2Play jerseys made especially for the night, joint captain for the year Aidan Nugent opened the scoring.
The game wasn’t as free flowing as the friendly nature may suggests. But what more can we expect for the middle of December.
Tyrone looked that wee bit sharper, with Kieran McGeary and Cathal McShane proving difficult to stop.
Newbies Conor Quinn and Shea Hamill also impressed for Fergal Logan and Brian Dooher’s men.
Armagh, a team full of fresh faces, trailed by two at the break, 9-7. Justin Kieran was perhaps the standout newcomer inside the opening period.
Aidan Nugent, Ben Crealey and Ross McQuillan have been around the block before and they were Armagh’s best on the night.
Jarly Og Burns, the captain for the occasion, also starred in a new role, an attack-minded wing half back.
Half time changes
Cian McConville and Brian Fox were real livewires when introduced for the second half. Kieran McGeeney rang the changes, including the jersey that his side wore.
The new all-black away kit was on display for the first time as both sides emptied their benches.
The crowd stormed the field at the full-time whistle with a chance for the children (and some parents) to meet their heroes.
Both sets of players stayed on the pitch long after the game finished for photos and autographs with the fans as the fireworks shot off into the night sky.
It was a wonderful night for a brilliant cause. While the result may not have mattered on the night, the next few meetings between the sides may not be as friendly!
