The day Armagh had kingpins Down on the ropes
The victory marked Down’s third consecutive Ulster title
The 1961 Ulster Senior Football Championship Final between Armagh and Down remains one of the most famous turnarounds in Ulster football history.
After spending eight years in the doldrums since their 1953 All-Ireland SFC Final appearance against Kerry in Croke Park, Armagh were back in the limelight facing the defending All-Ireland champions Down before an attendance of 40,000 at Casement Park, Belfast on July 23.
The Armagh team included two members of that 1953 final, goalkeeper Eamon McMahon (Clan na Gael) and attacking ace Pat Campbell (Armagh Harps) who both had come out of retirement.
Armagh’s first-half dominance, spearheaded by the power of their midfield pair, Gene Larkin (Crossmaglen ) and Johnny McGeary (Collegeland ), surprised the reigning All-Ireland champions by dictating the pace and when the half-time whistle blew the underdogs were deservingly ahead by five points.
Even at that juncture a major upset was on the cards due to the complete control Armagh had on proceedings.
Down’s iconic forward James McCartan did not start the match and facing a severe interval deficit, the management team introduced him at the resumption.
It was to be the turnaround as McCartan’s impact was immediate, radically altering the momentum of the game. He scored a pivotal second-half goal that completely shifted the psychological edge back to the Mourne men.
Down’s seasonal championship squad managed to outscore their neighbours in the closing periods to seal a 2-10 to 1-10 victory, winning by exactly three points.
There was late controversial drama as Armagh went in search of a equalising goal. Down goalkeeper Eamon McKay appeared to whip the ball from behind his goal-line but instead of a green flag being raised the referee awarded a free out for an alleged infringement in the build-up.
The victory marked Down’s third consecutive Ulster title during an era when they went on to retain the All-Ireland crown by defeating Offaly by a single point, 3-6 to 2-8 after falling behind by conceding two early goals.
Armagh’s day in the sun was short-lived as they had to wait another 18 agonising years for their next Ulster final appearance in 1977.
And it was to be a day that changed the face of Armagh football forever stopping Derry’s bid for three-in-a-row provincial titles on a 3-10 to 1-5 scoreline at Clones, Paddy Moriarty, Noel Marley and Larry Kearns, the goal scorers.