Armagh 2-16 Mayo 0-21
The Armagh hurlers staged a stunning second half comeback on Sunday to see off Mayo by the minimum of margins.
Two goals after the turnaround from Danny Magee and Fionntan Donnelly earned the two points on offer.
Playing on home soil, Armagh got back to winning ways following their round two defeat to Monaghan.
Donnelly registered Armagh’s first two points, matched two from Mayo, while Cormac Jennings put the hosts on level terms.
Two more Donnelly efforts were matched by the visitors in an even opening quarter, while Jennings chipped in with his second.
Two in a row from Mayo nudged them back in front, while Donnelly traded scores with the Westerners.
Mayo stretched their lead to four but Donnelly pulled one back for the home side. That left Armagh three down at the interval, 0-11 to 0-8.
A Donnelly brace after the break closed the gap, while Shea Harvey exchanged efforts with Eoin Delaney.
Danny Magee then raised the first green flag of the game to edge Armagh ahead by two points.
Mayo pulled on back but Donnelly then rattled the net from the penalty spot to drive Armagh four ahead.
Goal scorers Magee and Donnelly swapped points with Mayo before two in a row from the visitors narrowed the gap.
Donnelly and Harvey slotted over Armagh’s final two scores, which left a nervy few minutes for McKeegan’s side.
Three points in quick succession from Mayo left just one the difference when the final whistle eventually sounded.
It was a huge win for the Orchard County, who showed serious spirit and a never say die attitude.
The hurlers have another free weekend, before travelling to Roscommon for their round three clash.
Armagh: Fintan Woods, Barry Shortt, Odhran Curry, Stephen O’Keefe, Oisin O’Hare, Tiarnan Nevin, Niall Lennon, Peadar McBride, Fionntan Donnelly 1-11 (1 pen 11f), Sean Og McGuinness, Cormac Jennings 0-2, Connor Renaghan, Shea Harvey 0-2, Eoin McGuinness, Danny Magee 1-1. Subs: Paudie Lappin for N. Lennon, Tam McKavanagh for C. Renaghan, Stephen Renaghan for E. McGuinness, Tiarnan O’Hare for D. Magee.
