GAA National Leagues: Derry end barren spell and Down win but Armagh fall to Galway

Rob Finnerty’s free at the death snatched a one-point win for Galway over Armagh to make up for their opening loss to Mayo.

Armagh racked up an impressive 1-27 scoreline on the opening weekend last time out against Monaghan, and they made a quick start again.

Ross McQuillan, Conor Turbitt, Fergal O’Brien and Oisin Conaty all pointed to give Kieran McGeeney’s side an early lead, but Fionn McDonagh split the posts at the other end and Kieran Molloy followed up with a goal to put the visitors in front.

McQuillan scored another while Oisin O’Neill kicked over either side of a Finnian O Laoi point for Galway to keep Armagh in the lead.

Ciaran Mulhern was black carded for the Tribesmen and Armagh took full advantage, working up a 0-10 to 1-3 lead.

Then the momentum shifted. Finnerty attempted a two-pointer for an Armagh breach, and his kick ended up in the net.

Fionn McDonagh’s attempt to flick the ball seemingly did enough to put Orchard goalkeeper Blaine Hughes off and the ball went in through his legs.

Kieran McGeeney’s side trailed 2-5 to 0-10 at the break but wrestled back the initiative at the start of the second period scoring four points unanswered.

The script flipped once more with Galway then rattling off four scores in succession. Shane Walsh marked his return with a point to open a 2-10 to 0-14 advantage.

Jarly Og Burns fisted over in response for Armagh and O’Neill’s free from outside the arc – the only two-pointer of the game – gave the Orchard County the lead coming down the stretch.

Tiernan Kelly and Jason Duffy tagged on points, but the Tribe replied once again as Matthew Tierney blasted to the net to put Galway back in front.

O’Neill brought Armagh back level, but Finnerty’s last-gasp free – brought forward 50 metres – stole the victory for the away side after a ding-dong battle.