Armagh 0-12 1-14 Wexford

Mattie Forde's late goal turned the game in Wexford's favour

Wexford caused one of the biggest upsets in years when they deservedly beat Ulster Champions Armagh in Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final.

Armagh only led 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time but they looked to be finally subduing Wexford when they moved into a 0-10 to 0-8 advantage after 53 minutes.

However, Mattie Forde ghosted past Francie Bellew to hammer in a sensational goal on 62 minutes.

The goal put Wexford 1-10 to 0-11 ahead and they pushed on to win by five.

Armagh appeared to get their tactics wrong with Forde given too much space - particularly in the closing stages.

Forde appeared to be hampered by a hamstring injury early on but he went on to hit a vital 1-5 including 1-2 in the final 10 minutes.

The Ulster Champions bossed possession in the opening five minutes but Steven McDonnell (two) and Ronan Clarke both hit wides.

However, McDonnell edged Armagh into the lead on eight minutes and a poor clearance by goalkeeper Anthony Masterson then gifted a point to Charlie Vernon.

With Forde struggling early on, the Wexford attack lacked physical presence and the Armagh defence was having little difficulty in dealing with a succession of high balls.

However, two Bellew fouls enabled Forde and Ciaran Lyng to bring Wexford level by the 20th minute.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on Wexford's victory and where it leaves Armagh

Armagh moved 0-4 to 0-2 ahead, helped by a marvellous Ronan Clarke point from near the sideline.

But Wexford were starting to win more of the 50-50 challenges as the game neared half-time and a superb line ball from Forde and another Lyng free brought the sides level by the 29th minute.

Wexford had the temerity to move into the lead on the half-hour thanks to their first score from play as PJ Banville pointed but two Ronan Clarke scores left Armagh 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

The Armagh performance didn't improve after half-time with Wexford moving into a 0-8 to 0-7 lead after 49 minutes.

Armagh finally appeared to emerged from their slumber when Brian Mallon levelled and Steven McDonnell hit two further neat points to leave the Ulster Champions 0-10 to 0-8 after 53 minutes.

Peter McDonnell's side still led 0-11 to 0-9 after 58 minutes but Redmond Barry's point on 60 minutes cut the lead to a minimum on the hour.

Then came the vital moment of the game as Forde adjudged the flight of Eric Bradley's long ball perfectly to nip in ahead of Bellew and hit the ball into the empty net after rounding Paul Hearty.

Ciaran Lyng added another Wexford point a minute later and Aaron Kernan's response from a 64th minute free proved to be Armagh's final score.

Redmond Barry's stunning 66th minute point left three between the sides again and another sensational Forde point a minute later left more than a kick of the ball between the sides.

Armagh were almost given a lifeline a minute from the end of normal time when Aaron Kernan's free went close to being diverted into the net before being cleared.

Forde completed Armagh's nightmare in the first minute of injury time by producing another remarkable finish and seconds later, Wexford players, management and fans were celebrating a famous victory.

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Armagh: P Hearty, E McNulty, F Bellew, F Moriarty, A Kernan (0-4), A O'Rourke, C McKeever, P McGrane, K Toner, C Vernon (0-1), B Mallon (0-1), M O'Rourke, S McDonnell (0-3), R Clarke (0-3), S Kernan. Subs: P McKeever for S Kernan (47 mins), B Donaghy for Vernon (62), P Kernan for Moriarty (67), D McKenna for Toner (70).

Wexford: A Masterson; D Walsh, P Wallace, B Malone; A Morrissey, D Murphy, C Morris; E Bradley, B Doyle; R Barry, P Colfer, C Byrne (0-1); C Lyng (0-5), PJ Banville (0-1), M Forde (1-5). Subs: C Deely for Morrissey, N Murphy for D Walsh (both 61), R Stafford for Byrne (65), T Wall for Colfer (68), A Flynn for Doyle (70)

Referee: Paddy Russell (Tipperary)