Armagh’s quarter-finals over the past two years have delivered their fair share of drama – with penalty shootout defeats by Galway and Monaghan – but the first half here was hardly edge-of-you-seat stuff.
It started promisingly with a wonderful Conor Turbitt score after just 10 seconds.
But that failed to spark the game into life. McCambridge spurned an early Armagh goal chance, his effort from short range blocked after Rian O’Neill’s searching punt caused problems in the Roscommon defence.
On a grey and wet summer’s afternoon at headquarters, conditions were challenging with players from both sides losing their footing and struggling to hold the ball.
Roscommon’s shooting let them down badly, too, with four wides and a further four efforts dropping short.
After a Niall Grimley point, the Rossies finally opened their account on 17 minutes through Conor Cox.
But after a Daire Cregg shot dropped short, Armagh punished the Connacht men, with McCambridge exchanging passes with Grugan before lashing an unstoppable shot in off the underside of the crossbar, giving the game a much-needed shot in the arm.
Moments later, McCambridge – who was also a regular attacking outlet for Armagh against Derry in last month’s group game – fisted over the bar to give a five-point cushion.
But while the Rossies landed the last three scores of the half – through Conor Cox (2) and Niall Higgins – their hopes were dented when Fallon was dismissed for his challenge on Grugan.
