Allianz Football League Division II: Armagh 3-8 Wexford 3-8
It may have been the opening night of the Allianz Hurling League, but it was the re-fixed football game between Armagh and Wexford, which ended in a remarkable draw, that stole the headlines after a dramatic finish at the Athletic Grounds.
Wexford hit three goals in the opening 22 minutes and looked to have the game won by half-time, but the Orchard County fought back bravely in the second half with the help of a Gavin McParland hat-trick of goals before Stefan Campbell grabbed the equalising point three minutes into added time.
Paddy Byrne scored the Model County’s opening goal after six minutes, before Redmond Barry added a second from the penalty spot. Ben Brosnan then created a goal for team-mate Shane Roche to finish, and Brosnan dropped over a free to give his side a 3-2 to 0-1 lead.
Stefan Forker had kicked Armagh’s only point until sub McParland unleashed a rocket to the back of the Wexford net in the 34th minute to leave his side trailing by 3-1 to 1-1 at the break.
Brosnan got Wexford back on track with three converted frees after the restart, and they led by nine points until McParland struck his second goal, again finding the top corner with the finish. He completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on 59 minutes, slotting the ball to the back of the net after the referee had pointed to the spot for a foot block.
Armagh dominated the final quarter of the game and got their reward when sub Campbell sent over the equalising score in the 73rd minute.
Wexford: A Masterson, B Malone, G Molloy, R Tierney, L Chin, J Wadding, A Flynn, D Waters, C Doyle, M Furlong, B Brosnan (0-5, 4f), P Byrne (1-0), S Roche (1-1, 0-1f), R Barry (1-0, pen), PJ Banville (0-2).
Subs: R Quinlivan for Doyle (42), J Holmes for Furlong (54), D Murphy for Flynn (66)
