Armagh 4-12 Antrim 2-13
The Armagh minors made a winning start to their league campaign when they defeated Antrim away from home on Saturday.
Armagh trailed by eight points at the halfway stage, but turned it around in the second half to win by five.
Goals from Conall McGeough (2), Paul Hendron and Eoin Kane helped Brendan Hughes’ men get over the line.
Antrim got off to a flyer, hitting 0-4 on the trot in the first six minutes. The gap could have been more, but for a super, point-blank save from Liam Carroll.
Armagh opened their account through Conall McGeough, who fired to the net after a brilliant tap down from Calum Hughes.
Antrim hit back with their own major before Hughes cut the gap to three with Armagh’s first point.
Six on the trot from the hosts put Antrim well ahead, but a double from Niall McParland and full forward Hughes kept Armagh in touch.
Antrim claimed the final score of the half to leave eight the margin at the midway point. 1-11 to 1-3 at half time.
Armagh dominated the opening exchanges of the second half, hitting 2-6 on the trot to take the lead for the first time.
A super score from Hughes got the second period up and running before McGeough claimed his second three-pointer.
Shea Carr and Eoin Kane (2) added points while midfielder Paul Hendron broke through for another goal.
McGeough and Kane stretched Armagh’s lead to three before Antrim finally got off the mark in the 52nd minute.
The Saffron’s then claimed their second goal to tie the game. They could have had another, but for the defensive heroics of Carroll and Fergus Toale.
Aaron Haughey nudged Armagh back ahead while McGeough and Hughes (free) kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Kane smashed home his side fourth goal and while Antrim got the final score, it wasn’t enough for them to get something from the game.
It was a superb second half display by the Orchard minors, who take on Derry this weekend in Clady.
Armagh: Liam Carroll, Aodhan O’Connor, Ryan Nugent, Fionnbar McKee, Eugene McEntee, Donal Coffey, Adam Reavey, Aaron Haughey 0-1, Paul Hendron 1-0, Niall McParland 0-1, Eoin Kane 1-3, Shea Carr 0-1, Conall McGeough 2-2, Calum Hughes 0-4 (2f), Cohen Henderson. Subs used: Fergus Toale, Tristan Morris, Sean Hamill, Caolan Murray.
