It was as you were at the final whistle after Mayo battled back from eight points down at half-time to take the lead before All-Ireland title-holders Armagh found a way back to secure a draw.
It is frustrating for Mayo as they should be making the long trip home with maximum points as goalkeeper Colm Reape had the chance to clinch glory. With seconds remaining he received Ryan O'Donogue’s sublime pass, jinked past Niall Grimley to inch closer to goal, but somehow kicked wide.
Armagh led by eight points at the break with Conor Turbitt’s sideline conversion after the hooter sounded demonstrating their confidence levels.
Played in the Armagh’s Box-It Athletic Grounds, Paddy Burns goal after 15 minutes put the Orchard five points ahead and they didn’t look back.
Late changes to the teams announced were Armagh’s Jason Duffy for Greg McCabe while Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea made way for Paul Towey, while the Orchard were also without their suspended All-Ireland winning captain Aidan Forker.
Before throw-in, Armagh and Mayo were locked on two league points but Armagh were ahead on the table with four-point scoring difference. Both teams had won only one out of their first three National League outings, with Mayo getting over Tyrone last week and Armagh seeing off the same opposition before the February break.
It was the lively Matthew Ruane who opened the scoring and Jordan Flynn added another but Armagh eased their way back into the game with a rally of points from Turbitt, Ross McQuillan and Andrew Murnin before Burns’ goal.
The Burren Co Down player picked his spot after Rory Grugan chased Dara McMullan’s delivery and Grugan’s half-volley into the square was caught by Burns who shimmied before drilling past keeper Reape.
Armagh’s style was to move the ball quickly whereas Mayo were a little more patient in their build-up and the Orchard stretched their lead with Young Player of the Year Oisin Conaty, Jason Duffy and keeper Ethan Rafferty on target before Ryan O’Donaghue (free) replied for the Westeners.
Mayo were through on goal as Conor Reid seemed to do everything right but his daisycutter came off the bottom of the post and Armagh gathered. Turbitt and Grugan added to Armagh’s tally before Kevin McStay’s men finished the half with Flynn and Ryan O’Donoghue grabbing much-needed points but Turbitt’s late strike proved fruitful for Armagh.
Trailing 1-10 to 0-05, Mayo began the half with purpose as the skilful Paul Towey and midfielder Ruane scoring before Ethan Rafferty’s two-pointer restored the lead.
However, Stephen Coen’s glorious two-pointer and Ryan O’Donoghue’s single point kept Mayo in the contest. A magnificent tight angled point from the hardworking McQuillan was followed up with Grugan notching his third point. Pressure was building when Mayo introduced Aidan O’Shea as Armagh’s Niall Grimley was black carded and McStay’s men didn’t take long to make their numerical advantage count.
Davitt Neary showed courage to beat his marker and lash into the Armagh net and with Ryan O’Donoghue bagging a stunning two-pointer there was only a point between the sides with 20-minutes still to play.
It was tight and tense and Grugan’s drop-goal like point seemed important but Mayo’s reply was instant as Ruane’s third of the evening kept the game in the balance. David Neary finished off a fantastic Mayo turnover to level the score and as the clock struck the hour, Aidan O’Shea steered Mayo into the lead for the first time in the game.
Armagh had chances to level but kicked two wide and got blown up for over-carrying before the brilliant Ryan O’Donoghue put Mayo two ahead, with O’Shea crucial in the build-up.
Stefan Campbell’s point had the home support in fine voice and the crowd erupted even more when Turbitt levelled (free) with only two minutes to play.
Mayo did fantastically to create a winning opportunity and when Ryan O’Donoghue picked out a beautiful cross-field pass to keeper Reape, Kevin McStay’s side looked certain to clinch victory and despite striding closer to goal the goalkeeper blazed his pressure kick wide, much to the relief of Armagh.
Armagh: Ethan Rafferty (0-03, 0-1 tps) Tomas McCormack, Barry McCambridge, Paddy Burns (1-00), Connaire Mackin, Jason Duffy (0-01), Ross McQuillan (0-02), Ben Crealey, Niall Grimley, Jemar Hall, Rory Grugan (0-04, 0-1 free), Darragh McMullan, Conor Turbitt (0-04, 0-1f, 0-1 sideline), Andrew Murnin (0-01), Oisin Conaty (0-01)
Subs: Jarly Og Burns for Crealey (18’), Stefan Campbell (0-01) for Hall (45’), Peter McGrane for Conaty (61’), Cian McConville for Duffy (62’),
Mayo: Colm Reape, Eoin O’Donoghue, Donnacha McHugh, Enda Hession, Stephen Coen (0-02, 1tp, David McBrien, Eoghan McLaughlin, Conor Reid, Matthew Ruane (0-03), David Neary (1-01), Frank Irwin, Jordan Flynn (0-02), Paul Towie (0-02), Darren McHale, Ryan O’Donoghue (0-06, 1 tps, 0-1f).
Subs: Jack Carney for Reid (30’), Aidan O’Shea (0-01) for Irwin (42’), Sean Marahan for E McLaughlin (47’), Fergal Boland for Towie (61),Jack Coyne for Flynn (65’)
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)
