Brogan goal steers Dubs to victory
DUBLIN 2-12 ARMAGH 1-11
Bernard Brogan continued where he left off last season as his goal eleven minutes from time helped the Dubs to an opening night victory in the Allianz League.
The game was in the melting pot entering the concluding ten minutes before a quick scoring salvo steered the Dubs home.
The sides were level, 1.10 each, before Brogan struck for goal, points from Paul Flynn and Brogan swiftly followed and suddenly the visitors were five points to the good and heading for their first victory over the Orchard County in Armagh since December 1987 (played in Davitt Park, Lurgan).
If the game finished well from a Dublin perspective it also started with when and early Michael Darragh Macauley point, following a fine through ball from Diarmuid Connolly, was followed by a Connolly goal.
However, at the half progressed Armagh began to take more control around the middle sector and Charlie Vernon’s 20th minute goal, when he powered through the Dublin defence before cannoning his shot off the underside of the crossbar and just over the line, helped the home side into a 1-3 to 1-2 lead.
Kevin McManamon had gone close only minutes early to adding a second goal for the Dubs but goalkeeper, Philip McEvoy, denied the St Jude’s man at the end of a powerful run reminiscent of his great goal in last year’s league against Derry in Parnell Park.
Inside the final ten minutes of the opening half Dublin outscored Armagh 0-5 to 0-1 with Eoghan O’Gara, McManamon, Tomas Quinn (two, one ‘45’) and Bernard Brogan all on target.
Brogan’s scored, the concluding point of the first half to give his side a 1-7 to 1-4 lead, summed up Dublin’s work-rate and application as McManamon won the ball 40 metres from his own goal to kickstart a move involving Paul Casey and Denis Bastick which culminated in an excellent Brogan point on the run.
Twelve minutes into the second half Connolly when for goal with a point the better option and the game began to turn back Armagh’s way with points from Vernon, Michael O’Rourke, and a Stevie McDonnell free bring the sides level with 15 minutes to play.
Declan Lally surged forward to link with his fellow half-back James McCarthy to kick an important score but McDonnell levelled up matters again as the final ten minutes approached.
The next score would be crucial and it came by way of Brogan’s goal when he palmed the ball around the advancing keeper, McEvoy, following a hopeful punt into the centre from O’Gara.
The points from sub Flynn and Brogan – a clinical move involving Macauley and Barry Cahill – as good as sealed victory.
SCORERS – Dublin: B Brogan 1-3, D Connolly 1-1, K McManamon, T Quinn (0-1 ‘45’) 0-2 each, D Lally, MD Macauley, E O’Gara, P Flynn 0-1 each. Armagh: G Swift, S McDonnell (0-2f) 0-4 each, C Vernon 1-1, BJ Padden, M O’Rourke 0-1 each.
DUBLIN – S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, S Murray, A Hubbard; D Lally, J McCarthy, P Casey; D Bastick, MD Macauley; B Cullen, K McManamon, D Connolly; B Brogan, E O’Gara, T Quinn. Subs: P Flynn for Quinn (47), B Cahill for Bastick (50), A Brogan for Connolly (60), P Andrews for O’Gara (64), D Kelly for B Brogan (72).
ARMAGH – P McEvoy; V Martin, B Donaghy, A Mallon; K Dyas, C McKeever, P Duffy; K Toner, C Vernon; M Mackin, BJ Padden, R Grugan; B Mallon, G Swift, S McDonnell. Subs: F Moriarty for Martin (20), A Duffy for Mackin (47), M O’Rourke for B Mallon (50), C Clarke for Padden (57), C Watters for Grugan (64).
REF – J McQuillan (Cavan).
