Murnin's goal leaves Kildare 3 points adrift at the break in All-Ireland qualifier

All-Ireland SFC Qualifier round 4B

Andrew Murnin's 32nd minute goal has given Armagh a three-point lead over Kildare at half-time in this All-Ireland qualifier in Croke Park.

Keith Cribbin got the Lilywhites off to a flying start as he drove through the Armagh defence to open the scoring after less than a minute, but the Orchard men responded with a point through Andrew Murnin at the other end that levelled matters.

It was tight for the next 10 minutes as Kevin Feely and pointed a free between scores from the excellent Gavin McParland and Jamie Clarke, while Rory Grugan pushed Armagh into a two-point lead after a fine team move.

Mark Donnellan's fine long range free kept Kildare ticking over, but Armagh went on a run with a couple of scores in a row as they turned the screw with points from Niall Grimley and Aidan Forker. Kildare's best spell of the half came between minutes 20 and 28 as they kicked four in a row through Niall Kelly, Feely, Paddy Brophy and Ben McCormack as they looked to finally be getting on top of their opponents, but McGeeney's men responded in kind with a positive spell of their own that yielded the first half's only goal.

A Stefan Campbell point was followed by a goal from Murnin as his shot deflected in off the leg of Mick O'Grday, and a second point from McParland sent Armagh four clear as the break approached. Niall Kelly ensured that Kildare were just a goal adrift at the interval however as he curled over a fine point, leaving Cian O'Neill and his management team with something to work with ahead of the second half.