Madden 0-14 Clann Eireann 0-11
Madden are through to the Armagh SFC final for the first time in 27 years after beating county champions Clann Eireann. Mark Harte’s men were full value for their victory, with three the difference in the end.
Some of their players weren’t even born when the red and black last marched behind the band on county final day. Darragh McMullen for example, the catalyst for the new crop of Madden heroes, was one of those players.
Seven-points from Conor Grimley proved crucial and he was the one to pop over the final score of the evening. All over the field, Madden had their opponents number and held on despite a second half fight back from Clann Eireann.
From the very first whistle, Madden were on song. Niall Grimley won the throw up and had the ball between the posts within 11 seconds. Within five minutes, Madden were 3-0 ahead on the scoreboard.
Redmond French eventually got Clann Eireann up and running and Aodhan McConville doubled their account but the Raparees were rampant. Six in succession saw Madden stretch further in front.
Aron McKenna, Conor Grimley and McMullen split the posts. Donal Rafferty set up Grimley and older brother Ciaran for further scores. McConville and McKenna swapped points, as did Conor Turbitt and Grimley, to see Madden up 10-4 at half time.
Clann Eireann closed the gap immediately after the turnaround, with Turbitt slotting over the first two-pointer of the day. It was soon wiped out with Conor Grimley and Ciaran Rafferty raising white flags.
Four on the trot for the champions pulled them back into contention. Jack Conlon, Turbitt (2) and Ruairi McDonald all scored. Eoghan Mulholland came to the fore then, pulling off a fine save to deny Donal Rafferty a goal, with Grimley firing over the resulting 45.
Turbitt nailed another to make it a two-point game and could have put his side ahead, but for a strong stop from Jamie Sheridan. Two wides from Turbitt, from 45s, meant Madden kept ahead and Grimley swung over the final score to secure their final spot.