Jason Duffy's late point sees Armagh squeeze into Ulster final

Armagh struck late for a nervy and unconvincing one point win over Down to qualify for their second successive Ulster SFC final.

Substitute Jason Duffy hit the stoppage time winner to seal it for an Orchard side that failed to convince in front of a crowd of 12,116 at Clones.

They were clinging on to a slender advantage as the game slipped into injury-time, but points from subs Aidan Nugent and Duffy swung it for the Orchard.

Armagh had defeated Down by ten points at the same stage last year, and while this one was much closer, the outcome was the same for Conor Lavery's Down side, and the Tailteann Cup awaits, their big chance of a run in the Sam Maguire having slipped away.

Armagh were happy to sit deep and invite their opponents on to them, looking to break at pace, and Down’s lack of penetration and invention assisted their plan.

After Ryan Magill had shot an early point, the Mourne men went half an hour without raising a flag, despite dominating possession for long spells and pressing hard into the Armagh half.

But they were never able to produce the incisive run or find the killer pass that would unlock the Orchard cover.

Kieran McGeeney’s men struggled to produce fluency themselves, labouring to go in front after 20 minutes through Rian O’Neill, who had also kicked their opener from a free.

Down did have their chances, but free-kicker Pat Havern was having an off-day, and Shealan Johnston skewed a scoreable mark as they allowed their neighbours off the hook time and again.

Stefan Forker shot a fine point before Havern finally found the range from a free on 32 minutes.

And Down’s first sign of flair and pace produce a goal in the 35th minute. Jonny Flynn, Odhran Murdock, Shealan Johnston and Pierce Laverty were all involved