Hi °C | Lo °C Armagh manager Paddy O'Rourke says his side will face a much more severe task against Tyrone at Omagh than they did against Wicklow.
O'Rourke was speaking in the wake of his side's five-point win over the Garden County in the All-Ireland Qualifiers' second round replay at Aughrim on Saturday evening.
Armagh's success at the second attempt means O'Rourke's side now have to travel to Healy Park next Saturday to take on the Red Hands in the third round of the Qualifiers.
"With all due respect to Wicklow, I know it's going to be far more difficult for us against Tyrone," said O'Rourke, whose side was boosted by a stunning 2-2 haul from corner-forward Jamie Clarke (right). Ace poacher Clarke struck for his goals in the 19th and 46th minute, and Malachy Mackin had a hand in both scores, knocking the ball down to his teammate.
Clarke's second strike was outstanding. Mackin deflected a long ball from Micheal O'Rourke into his path, and Clarke finished soccer-style with a low shot past Wicklow goalkeeper John Flynn.
The first goal helped Armagh construct a 1-5 to 0-6 interval lead, and the second goal propelled the visitors into a 2-5 to 0-8 advantage.
Subsequently, O'Rourke's side always held a minimum three- point advantage, and they shot the last two scores of the contest through Aaron Kernan, from a free, and sub Gavin McParland.
Armagh full-back Brendan Donaghy almost totally snuffed out the threat of Wicklow dangerman Seanie Furlong, who shot 2-3 from play in the Morgan Athletic Grounds tie.
Wicklow's normally ultra-reliable Tony Hannon blazed wide from three frees in the second half and Furlong was also off-target from an easy-placed ball.
"We hit five wides from frees and we also went for goals on two occasions when points would have been the better option," said Wicklow boss Mick O'Dwyer, who said he will definitely be the hot seat.
ARMAGH: P Hearty; A Mallon, B Donaghy, P Duffy (0-1), A Kernan (0-1, f), T Kernan, F Moriarty, J Lavery, C Vernon, K Dyas, B Mallon, J Hanratty, M O'Rourke (0-2), S McDonnell(0-2, 1f), J Clarke (2-2). Subs: BJ Padden for Hanratty (51), G McParland (0-1) for T Kernan (58), D McKenna for Duffy (58), V Martin for Moriarty (61), C Watters for O'Rourke (71).
WICKLOW: J Flynn; C Hyland, A Byrne, S Kelly, A McLoughlin, B McGrath, D Hayden, J Stafford, R Finn, A O'Malley (0-1), T Hannon (0-4., 3f, 1 '45'), N Mernagh, P Earls (0-2), S Furlong (0-1), L Glynn (0-2). Subs: C McGraynor for Mernagh (20), P Dalton for McLoughlin (54).
Referee: R Hickey (Clare).
