That game was a microcosm of where Armagh are at currently. All of the inconsistencies on show in one 70 minute display. Lethal on the front foot, but comical when put under pressure. We can expect the same for the rest of the season, which will no doubt be equal parts exciting and frustrating. But it's difficult to see much significant progress emerging out of such volatility.
The defensive frailties are obviously at the heart of the problem. They have been there from long before this season began and probably aren't going anywhere before it ends. These frailties are the result of both tactical and personnel problems, which makes them doubly difficult to fix in the short term.
It's fair to level some criticism at the management for their tactical organisation - six years into things and they are still sending out teams lacking very basic defensive structures. Why is the middle of the defence always so open to exploitation? It's been that way for years, and any opposition with a bit of wit about them should know that there's easy pickings to be had by targeting this area. Can nothing different be tried? Or is it felt that the players are not capable of playing to a different system?
Which brings us onto the second problem, one for which the management can't be blamed. The county hasn't produced a single top quality defender in more than a decade. Why is this? It is the nature of our club game? Is it the quality of coaching in development squads & schools? Is it just the way things go, a nature cycle, and we'll have six class defenders in ten year's time but no forwards? This is something that must be discussed and tackled if we really intend to take the leap back to football's top table.
The players need to take more responsibility too. It's been a theme of this Armagh side over the last number of years to let short opposition purple patches be the losing of games. The best teams know how to put the breaks on, by fair means or foul, when the opposition runs up a head of steam. You kill time by any means, you lie down, you start handbag sessions, you resort to boring, safe lateral passing - anything that breaks the opposition momentum. The Dubs do it in a really transparent way with a raised fist signal - this is the cue for about two minutes of zero risk short, lateral passing between themselves until they have regrouped. We need some of our more experienced lads to be smarter and more influential when the opposition gets a run on us. We shouldn't be throwing away games because of a panicky ten minute spell.
On a more positive note, promotion is still just about in our own hands. Massive game in Enniskillen next weekend - Fermanagh are fighting for their summer.