Agonising penalty kick exit for Co Armagh

The boys lost 5-4 on penalties to GPS FC Bayern after the game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.

It was tough on the Orchard County boys who had taken the lead early on through Oisin Smyth. It was a great goal too, the ball pulled back to the edge of the 18 yard box and Oisin connected with a half volley that gave the keeper no chance.

GPS Bayern were awarded a penalty, taken and missed unfortunately by Luke Nolan.

Armagh held the lead to the break as both teams had chances to score.

Just when it looked as if Co Armagh were edging into the final Bayern levelled in the latter stages.

With no further goals it was down to the dreaded shoot-out. Bayern went first and kept the pressure on by finding the net until at 4-4 Armagh missed and Bayern made it 5-4 to send the Americans through.

“We looked comfortable then Bayern got a free-kick in the last few minutes and someone made contact on the delivery inside the box to level the match,” said Dean McCullough, chairman of the County Armagh Milk Cup Association. “Tom Weir had a chance late on but it went to penalty kicks and we scored thanks to Daniel McKeown, Oisin, Sam Murphy and Tom before losing 5-4.”

COUNTY ARMAGH JUNIOR: Tyler Boyce, Sean Toman, Ben Davison, Daniel McKeown, Declan O’Neill, Robbie McAteer, Oisin Smyth, Luke Wilson, Josh Megoran, Darragh Gray, Alberto Balde. Subs (used): Tom Weir, Barney McKeown, Sam Murphy, Mark Lucas, Cathal McGinty.