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Armagh v Tyrone in pictures: Crowds soak up famous win over All-Ireland Champions with Donegal next up

Photos by Vincent Loughran

It was another famous day out for fans at the Athletic Grounds as almost 20,000 fans from both sides of the Blackwater revelled in a classic championship encounter.

While the game – on paper – may only have been a first round qualifier, the result was once of huge significance.

The six-point margin was justifiable against an out-of-sorts Red Hands.

The reversal against Donegal in Ballybofey acted as a nadir for Kieran McGeeney, Sunday’s result perfectly summed up his reign – consistency is what will define his tenure as a success from this point onwards.

Kerry Legend Kieran Donaghy has evidently added to the dynamic; tactically, Armagh are pulling all sorts of rabbits from the hat. Ethan Rafferty – Armagh’s fourth highest scoring player in championship football from the starting 15 yesterday – he was the Orchard stopper!

But two brilliant, mesmerising scores underlined that bit of tactical wizardry which has kept Armagh eating at the top table; their All-Ireland series continues too – they are bearing the fruits of their labour.

On Monday morning Armagh were drawn against Donegal in the second round of the qualifiers – the winner set to bag a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

A repeat of the Ballybofey shambles and all the work conducted in the cathedral city will be forgotten, the pitchforks raised once more!

For now, it’s Donegal next weekend as a to be confirmed venue. Repeat or revenge – it must be the latter!

Photos by Vincent Loughran.

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