Armagh’s failure to see out last Sunday’s Allianz FL Division 2 clash with Clare and pick up maximum points is source of major frustration for defender Mark Shields.

The Orchard County held a four-point lead entering stoppage time in Newry but had to settle for a share of the spoils after the Banner County produced a late rally which included a fortuitous goal from a sideline kick.

It was a similar story in the round 1 stalemate with Kildare which means they now have two points to show for their efforts so far.

“We were four points up and, even though we were a man down for most of the second-half, we looked comfortable,” Shields said at a media event yesterday ahead of this Sunday’s round 3 fixture with Meath in Pairc Tailteann (2pm).

“It was a flukey goal they got, straight into the top corner. It is frustrating to lose a lead like that and just get a point out of the game. After the last two games we could be on four points but we’re sitting on two.”

After the final whistle was sounded in Pairc Esler on Sunday, Kieran McGeeney voiced his displeasure with the performance of referee Cormac Reilly and, in particular, his decisions to allow both of the Banner County’s goals.

McGeeney claimed that Clare’s first-half goal should have been ruled out as Gavin Cooney’s fist pass didn’t touch an Armagh defender on the way into the net and was equally adamant that David Tubridy’s all-important equaliser didn’t cross the line.

The Whitecross clubman echoed his manager’s sentiments: “They were some strange enough decisions!” he remarked.

“For the first goal, the umpires called it that James Morgan had contact on the ball when it was fisted into the net. But again when we looked back on it on the video there was no deviation of the ball. It was a clear fist from the Clare player into the net.

“Their equalising goal, our goalkeeper Blaine (Hughes) said that he caught it on the line but the umpires gave it as a goal.

“Decisions have gone against us especially in the last two games. We were comfortable going into the last 10 minutes but we just need to see out these games and get the two points on the board.”

A win against Meath this Sunday would set Armagh up nicely for a promotion push but the experienced Shields is approaching the fixture with caution.

“It will be a tough game, it will be hard hitting. Meath are going well. They had a good win against Tipperary and were unlucky against Donegal. They were four points up and Donegal got a flukey goal.

“It’s going to be a tough game but hopefully we can get over the line because both sides are sitting on two points at the moment. A loss will mean you are possibly fighting against relegation and a win could mean you are up there with Donegal and Kildare at the minute, pushing for promotion and that’s where we want to be."

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