Armagh and Mayo draw in Division One thriller

Davitt Neary's second-half goal helped Mayo lead by two after they had trailed by nine in the opening half but home side Armagh hit the last two scores to snatch a draw

Mayo fought their way back from nine points down to secure a 1-17 to 1-17 Division One draw against All-Ireland champions Armagh at the Athletic Grounds but the visitors will rue missing a late chance to win the game.

After an evenly-contested opening to the game, Armagh found the net through an unlikely source in corner-back Paddy Burns, which put them 1-3 to 0-2 ahead and that laid the platform for a dominant first half.

Mayo struggled for scores, with seven wides kicked, as well as Conor Reid hitting the inside of the post with a goal chance.

The most spectacular moment of the first half was saved right until the end.

The hooter had gone, but referee Barry Tiernan allowed Conor Turbitt a shot from a sideline ball and the 2024 All-Star split the posts with a sublime effort to leave eight points in it at the break.

Armagh still looked to be well in the ascendancy as they led by early in the second half but that was until Mayo fired in 1-3 in the blink of an eye, with Davitt Neary finding the net and Ryan O'Donoghue smashing over a two-pointer.

With time ticking away, Mayo took the lead for the first time since the fourth minute through Aidan O'Shea before O'Donoghue put them two ahead. However, Armagh fought back to draw level via Stefan Campbell and a Conor Turbitt free.

The last chance of the game went the way of Mayo goalkeeper Colm Reape in the closing 20 seconds but he pushed his effort agonisingly wide and the sides had to settle for a draw.